Oddly getting priority boarding
 

On my last two United flights, I have oddly been getting priority boarding. Despite not having status, and not having a United credit card. I am not paying for priority boarding. Today, I got it for a basic economy flight and am in group 2. I don't seem to have a baggage benefit, however. So I know it isn't "status" getting me the priority boarding. The only thing I can think of that's changed is that I now have the IHG credit card that gets you the $50 of United credit each year, but United priority boarding is not a listed benefit with this card. Anyone have any ideas? I don't want to ask United and lose it haha!

Welcome to FT!, skierob2

Do you work for a very large corporation? a preferred corporate customer?

I do work for a large corporation, but don't really do business travel. I did get curious and asked someone on United chat, and they said it was because I had my TSA KTN assigned to my frequent flyer account. Which didn't make much sense to me... but oh well. My normal frequent traveler programs are Southwest A-List, Hertz Five Star and IHG Platinum Elite. I'm pretty 'basic' with every other program.

This has been happening to me too on the last few United flights! I used to have Gold pre-pandemic and also a United Explorer card. However, after the pandemic I lost all status and downgraded my card to the Gateway card. I’d been getting boarding group 5 or so. All of a sudden last couple months I’m consistently getting boarding group 2.

I also have KTN linked, might be a new policy?

Do you work for a major corporation, a major UA customer? A "preferred" corporation?

Nope, none of the above.

I had the opposite problem: as UA Plat, I am supposed to be boarding group 1. But both UA app and check-in desks were showing group 2. I’ll see if it happens on the next trip, this last one had lap infant which tends to screw things up.