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
Mar 4, 2019, 8:15 am
#496
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I’ve been watching the flight status for the past week leading up to my Wednesday ORD-FRA (1K in old GF).
I noticed a definite pattern. As soon as the flight status updated to 2 days later (ie on Mar 1 you can see flight status up til Mar 3), the flight got Polarized.
This happened 6 days in a row (maybe more, I didn’t check before then) except Sunday’s flight. None of them changed back to the old equipment afterwards.
So I got it in my head mine would update at midnight central time.
By 12:04am I felt like an idiot for staying up late for no reason.
Then at 12:06am I watched as it changed before my eyes! I was able to select 1L.
Btw 1A is still blocked according to EF.
Edit to add: Just got my EF Aircraft change notification — almost 10 hours later. What a joke.
I noticed a definite pattern. As soon as the flight status updated to 2 days later (ie on Mar 1 you can see flight status up til Mar 3), the flight got Polarized.
This happened 6 days in a row (maybe more, I didn’t check before then) except Sunday’s flight. None of them changed back to the old equipment afterwards.
So I got it in my head mine would update at midnight central time.
By 12:04am I felt like an idiot for staying up late for no reason.
Then at 12:06am I watched as it changed before my eyes! I was able to select 1L.
Btw 1A is still blocked according to EF.
Edit to add: Just got my EF Aircraft change notification — almost 10 hours later. What a joke.
Last edited by chavala; Mar 4, 2019 at 10:49 am Reason: messed up!
Mar 4, 2019, 10:14 am
#497
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
Mar 4, 2019, 10:43 am
#498
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Mar 4, 2019, 10:47 am
#499
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
You're right - sorry, my brain is already in vacation packing mode.
But that doesn't forgive the 10 hour delayed notice on the equipment change. All the good seats were long gone by then.
In fact I'm editing that so nobody else can call me out for being an idiot ; )
But that doesn't forgive the 10 hour delayed notice on the equipment change. All the good seats were long gone by then.
In fact I'm editing that so nobody else can call me out for being an idiot ; )
Mar 4, 2019, 4:08 pm
#500
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Actually, I was anticipating that you were doing what I do: Set a seat alert for my own seat, so I can see if I have been moved against my will.
Mar 4, 2019, 9:02 pm
#501
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I do that for every flight, but in this case it wouldn’t work since there is no Polaris 1K seat. EF would never see it as becoming “available” since it doesn’t exist.
Mar 6, 2019, 2:52 am
#502
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 288
Has any non-GS J customer been able to get one of the GF seats and if so, how was it done? Was it "upgrading" to the GF cabin before hand (were you charged or not?), or at check in (online/kiosk/agent?) (Did it have to be within 24hrs of GF flight or could it be at check in for earlier flight w/ GF flight on same leg?), or at the gate?
Would not having a seat selected improve chances?
Would not having a seat selected improve chances?
Last edited by therossinator; Mar 6, 2019 at 3:08 am
Mar 6, 2019, 4:10 am
#504
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 288
Yes, see post #490 .
Basically, it was "done" through aircraft swaps, and I was assigned a GF seat (as a 1K).
Basically, it was "done" through aircraft swaps, and I was assigned a GF seat (as a 1K).
Mar 6, 2019, 4:17 am
#505
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
Then they changed their minds and removed that benefit from 1Ks and made it GS-only.
Mar 6, 2019, 4:21 am
#506
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 288
Mar 6, 2019, 4:39 am
#507
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
I’m tracking all that. The internal memo I was referring to was one I found here: https://milesfromblighty.boardingarea.com/2019/02/19/united-slaps-1ks-again/
So I figure it's:
1) GS (+ companion[s]) can choose at booking
2) A special team may assign 1Ks once aircraft is certain
3) Any leftover empty seats can be nabbed at check-in by any J passenger
Something tells me there aren't many leftovers...
Mar 6, 2019, 5:59 am
#508
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
Flying UA932 tomorrow, and the seat map indicates 4 GF seats left.
I guess the "special team" didn't deem me worthy of a GF seat in advance
I guess the "special team" didn't deem me worthy of a GF seat in advance
Mar 6, 2019, 12:49 pm
#509
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 288
Mar 6, 2019, 1:39 pm
#510
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I have one more flight dealing with this mess, and from now on no more booking this equipment until they get it together. Way too much stress involved wondering where I might be sitting.