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
#451
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
Is anyone aware of a recent change in policy around booking the old GF cabin? I just was upgraded on a FRA-ORD flight. In the flight search, the seat-map shows the middle seats in row 1 & 2 available (shows windows as occupied), but none of the GF seats are available to me through change seats (I am a 1K). I spoke with an agent at the 1K desk, and was told those are only being assigned by the airport, day-of (possibly to accommodate equipment changes to reconfigured planes with the Polaris hard product?).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 14, 2019 at 9:25 pm Reason: moved to master thread
#452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,467
Is anyone aware of a recent change in policy around booking the old GF cabin? I just was upgraded on a FRA-ORD flight. In the flight search, the seat-map shows the middle seats in row 1 & 2 available (shows windows as occupied), but none of the GF seats are available to me through change seats (I am a 1K). I spoke with an agent at the 1K desk, and was told those are only being assigned by the airport, day-of (possibly to accommodate equipment changes to reconfigured planes with the Polaris hard product?).
#454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
#455
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY Metro
Programs: SPG Titanium, United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,600
Are these seats really worth it? I have a choice of a direct flight EU - US in the non-retrofitted Polaris vs a connecting flight EU - US in these legacy F seats. I am 1K and the flight is a week away and I already selected 2K prior to this change going in. I understand the risk of a place swap, etc but is the different in seat really worth the hassle of a connection?
#456
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
Are these seats really worth it? I have a choice of a direct flight EU - US in the non-retrofitted Polaris vs a connecting flight EU - US in these legacy F seats. I am 1K and the flight is a week away and I already selected 2K prior to this change going in. I understand the risk of a place swap, etc but is the different in seat really worth the hassle of a connection?
#457
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,962
such a silly policy to exclude 1K. Well ... more bookings this weekend on UA codeshare LH operated in C-class with a 95% chance my UG to F will clear. No-brainer. Thanks UA for not even making me think about booking UA metal
#458
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, Global Entry
Posts: 771
I remember a post where someone said they would open up at check-in -- any truth to this?
#459
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 947
Just booked away from UA metal because of removal of access to the old GF cabin (seats were available). 2-4-2 - nope.
#460
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY Metro
Programs: SPG Titanium, United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,600
It's not immediately clear what the options for you are. The legacy Global First seat is, in my opinion, one of the most comfortable seats in the sky. It's significantly superior to anything else flying for UA right now. However, I would probably prefer a well-timed nonstop in anything other than 2-4-2 IPTE J over connecting for a mixed chance of GF seat or Polaris seat.
1. Fly on the united first seat (2K) from BRU - IAD on a 777-200. However, I will have to wait 2+ hours in IAD and then take a ERJ back to EWR.
2. Fly direct BRU - EWR on a non-retrofitted 777-200 which has the 2-2-2 business cabin. Seat 5E is available which is a nice seat offering a lot of privacy since there is the crew rest next to you and the closet on the other side.
So the question for those that experienced both seats is if it is worth the extra hassle for the united first seat considering this will likely be the last chance to try it. Or am I not really missing that much vs the hassle of a layover/ connection? I am also not even 1K anymore and only have that seat as I booked/ selected in Jan when I was 1K. The rest of the cabin is 2-4-2 which I hate.
#461
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SDF
Programs: -=- UA: GS + 3.9 Million Miler; Hilton: Diamond; Marriott: Gold; Hertz: President's Circle
Posts: 676
If you were GS booking last minute tickets, you'd be very happy with the policy. Make GS happy at the expense of 1K being unhappy is an easy business decision.
#462
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,128
Sorry I wasnt clear. The options are:
1. Fly on the united first seat (2K) from BRU - IAD on a 777-200. However, I will have to wait 2+ hours in IAD and then take a ERJ back to EWR.
2. Fly direct BRU - EWR on a non-retrofitted 777-200 which has the 2-2-2 business cabin. Seat 5E is available which is a nice seat offering a lot of privacy since there is the crew rest next to you and the closet on the other side.
So the question for those that experienced both seats is if it is worth the extra hassle for the united first seat considering this will likely be the last chance to try it. Or am I not really missing that much vs the hassle of a layover/ connection? I am also not even 1K anymore and only have that seat as I booked/ selected in Jan when I was 1K. The rest of the cabin is 2-4-2 which I hate.
1. Fly on the united first seat (2K) from BRU - IAD on a 777-200. However, I will have to wait 2+ hours in IAD and then take a ERJ back to EWR.
2. Fly direct BRU - EWR on a non-retrofitted 777-200 which has the 2-2-2 business cabin. Seat 5E is available which is a nice seat offering a lot of privacy since there is the crew rest next to you and the closet on the other side.
So the question for those that experienced both seats is if it is worth the extra hassle for the united first seat considering this will likely be the last chance to try it. Or am I not really missing that much vs the hassle of a layover/ connection? I am also not even 1K anymore and only have that seat as I booked/ selected in Jan when I was 1K. The rest of the cabin is 2-4-2 which I hate.
#463
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Sorry I wasnt clear. The options are:
1. Fly on the united first seat (2K) from BRU - IAD on a 777-200. However, I will have to wait 2+ hours in IAD and then take a ERJ back to EWR.
2. Fly direct BRU - EWR on a non-retrofitted 777-200 which has the 2-2-2 business cabin. Seat 5E is available which is a nice seat offering a lot of privacy since there is the crew rest next to you and the closet on the other side.
So the question for those that experienced both seats is if it is worth the extra hassle for the united first seat considering this will likely be the last chance to try it. Or am I not really missing that much vs the hassle of a layover/ connection? I am also not even 1K anymore and only have that seat as I booked/ selected in Jan when I was 1K. The rest of the cabin is 2-4-2 which I hate.
1. Fly on the united first seat (2K) from BRU - IAD on a 777-200. However, I will have to wait 2+ hours in IAD and then take a ERJ back to EWR.
2. Fly direct BRU - EWR on a non-retrofitted 777-200 which has the 2-2-2 business cabin. Seat 5E is available which is a nice seat offering a lot of privacy since there is the crew rest next to you and the closet on the other side.
So the question for those that experienced both seats is if it is worth the extra hassle for the united first seat considering this will likely be the last chance to try it. Or am I not really missing that much vs the hassle of a layover/ connection? I am also not even 1K anymore and only have that seat as I booked/ selected in Jan when I was 1K. The rest of the cabin is 2-4-2 which I hate.
If both choices had a connection then I would risk it. That's what I'm doing for my next trip to Europe where I have to connect through ORD and either through FRA (with the First Class seats) or EWR (no First Class seats as it's a 763). When I booked my flight, I could choose a good seat in First Class so I'm connecting through FRA. Maybe I'll regret that choice when I lose my First Class seat but at this point it would cost me too much to switch to the flight connecting through EWR.
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
I tend to agree - if it's for the once-in-a-lifetime factor rolling the dice could be worth it. Having flown in the GF seat in my life, I would take the nonstop in 2-2-2. IAD transfer to an E45 sounds painful.
#465
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,962
I see the point, but I am actively booking away from UA metal because of it ... will a GS book away from UA metal? The GS I know won't ... for the better or worse.