Feb 5, 2019, 6:20 am
Last edit by: Ari
As of Feb. 5, only Global Services are able to select FC seats. The ability for 1K to reserve seats was removed. Existing 1K seat selections appear to be kept. In June 2019, the advance access for 1Ks on J/C/D fares was restored. [It appears this is not the case.]
Ex-GlobalFirst seats are selectable for all confirmed business class passengers at check in, even if >24 hrs from flight with GF seats (in the case of positioning flights).
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2
Ex-GlobalFirst seats are selectable for all confirmed business class passengers at check in, even if >24 hrs from flight with GF seats (in the case of positioning flights).
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2
3-class F seat now sold as Domestic F/Polaris Bus,GS or J/C/D 1K? may select pre-OLCI
Feb 6, 2019, 11:02 am
#391
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
This.
The better practice is to hold the seats for GS to the gate and then offer them to 1K's. It's a small perk, but one which grates.
The better practice is to hold the seats for GS to the gate and then offer them to 1K's. It's a small perk, but one which grates.
Feb 6, 2019, 11:14 am
#392
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 948
Why is that the better practice? IME seats were selectable for those who confirmed into J (either with cash or by applying instrument at booking) rather than those who confirmed into Y and played the upgrade lottery.
Why shouldn't those pax with actual confirmed J seats be allowed to confirm F seats before those who pay for Y and then roll the dice?
The new practice is to let GS confirm the seats and 1Ks are left to hope for what is essentially an OP-UP (highly remote and not a perk beyond what is extended to all membership).
Why shouldn't those pax with actual confirmed J seats be allowed to confirm F seats before those who pay for Y and then roll the dice?
The new practice is to let GS confirm the seats and 1Ks are left to hope for what is essentially an OP-UP (highly remote and not a perk beyond what is extended to all membership).
Feb 6, 2019, 11:16 am
#393
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I have no problem reserving these seats for GS. I do have an issue with the fact I booked my ticket months ago when both cabins were wide open. Now the only seats left in the Business cabin are bad - and I mean BAD.
If, (or more likely WHEN), the seat map goes bonkers again, 1Ks will be left scrambling to get a decent seat along with the non-status last-minute wait-listed UG pax.
UA should at the very least say those who reserved their FC seats before Feb 4 will be allowed to have them back if this happens. After all, it's their system that's screwing everything up.
Feb 6, 2019, 12:01 pm
#394
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
The sad part is that the only GS I know is not more loyal and not higher spending than myself. He stated that he never paid a Business Class fare because it's too expensive. However, he works for an employer that can gift the GS status to some employees and I have my idea why he got it and not some of his colleagues that travel more frequently on international long hauls.
Feb 6, 2019, 12:16 pm
#395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
I spotted an ORD-SFO last night that had the old 772 configuration flying. Looked like the GF seats remained blocked at the gate and were getting filled by the upgrade list running. I imagine that to have any shot as a 1K you would need to go pester the GA. I do agree that this change was probably driven by too many 1Ks up front though; based on loads I've seen it's totally plausible that the 5-day AP GS-on-C-fare crowd were getting stuck in the middle of 2-4-2 and complaining.
Just hoping for Polaris mods at this point -- already at the 50% mark.
Just hoping for Polaris mods at this point -- already at the 50% mark.
Feb 6, 2019, 12:57 pm
#396
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
Any reports of 1k losing old gf seat?
I have one in old gf which I booked several months ago. An ewr to sfo flight. Hope I don't get knocked out of 2K.
Feb 6, 2019, 1:14 pm
#397
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Outside of Cleveland Ohio
Programs: UA *G. DL ̶G̶O̶L̶D̶ Member, Hilton/SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 362
I spoke with a 1K agent who read me (or at least she told me she read) the letter which did not give any indication of allowing last minute OP-UP for 1K at check-in or at the gate. Of course GA's can always do what they want to a certain degree but at least according to this agent there was no additional policy in the email that she had received.
Feb 6, 2019, 1:19 pm
#398
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
I specifically paid the upfare to P so I could try in the international F one last time on DEN-SFO (and so far am still in FC), I really hope they don't swap me out at the gate, otherwise I am going to be sitting middle J
I would assume they would at least give me my upfare back??
I would assume they would at least give me my upfare back??
Feb 6, 2019, 1:23 pm
#399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Feb 6, 2019, 7:17 pm
#400
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
The sad part is that the only GS I know is not more loyal and not higher spending than myself. He stated that he never paid a Business Class fare because it's too expensive. However, he works for an employer that can gift the GS status to some employees and I have my idea why he got it and not some of his colleagues that travel more frequently on international long hauls.
Feb 8, 2019, 6:10 am
#401
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: seat 9A
Programs: UA 1K, Flying Blue Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriot Plat (TWA / NWA - million miler)
Posts: 54
but there is no way i am booking 2-4-2 again. I did the DC-Beijing run out and back, and swore to never ever do that configuration again.
2-4-2 in BA was not as bad, still tight, but it seemed like you had some room to place a book or headphones near you.
For me in order of preference on seating in star alliance is
- polaris (odd numbered window, first, then middle)
- ANA (window)
- Singapore Air (any)
- 2-2-2 united (middle seats, or on the side when traveling with the wife)
All in all, i think still think its better to never fly business or first the first time, as you will just have higher expectations for sleep / food / etc.
Feb 8, 2019, 7:45 am
#402
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
Right!
but there is no way i am booking 2-4-2 again. I did the DC-Beijing run out and back, and swore to never ever do that configuration again.
2-4-2 in BA was not as bad, still tight, but it seemed like you had some room to place a book or headphones near you.
For me in order of preference on seating in star alliance is
- polaris (odd numbered window, first, then middle)
- ANA (window)
- Singapore Air (any)
- 2-2-2 united (middle seats, or on the side when traveling with the wife)
All in all, i think still think its better to never fly business or first the first time, as you will just have higher expectations for sleep / food / etc.
but there is no way i am booking 2-4-2 again. I did the DC-Beijing run out and back, and swore to never ever do that configuration again.
2-4-2 in BA was not as bad, still tight, but it seemed like you had some room to place a book or headphones near you.
For me in order of preference on seating in star alliance is
- polaris (odd numbered window, first, then middle)
- ANA (window)
- Singapore Air (any)
- 2-2-2 united (middle seats, or on the side when traveling with the wife)
All in all, i think still think its better to never fly business or first the first time, as you will just have higher expectations for sleep / food / etc.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:05 am
#403
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
I just booked a trip in business with one int'l leg on a 3 class 772 and was not able to select a seat in the F cabin. Although disappointed, I get that these seats ought to be available for GS first, then 1Ks.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:11 am
#404
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
Feb 8, 2019, 12:30 pm
#405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
Not sure where the myth about nonrevs comes in.. the seats are sold as J inventory and anyone needing a seat assignment will end up in them. Unless you mean in the case where the flight is not fully sold up front?