UA Economy Plus (E+) - Questions/Worth It?/Experiences [Archive]
Oct 10, 2008, 11:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Star Alliance, One World, Skyteam, BR, GA, EK, VX, SPG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IC
Posts: 4,065
UA Economy Plus (E+) - Questions/Worth It?/Experiences [Archive]
I need to ask people a question.. Is United Economy Plus all worth the money? I'm flying from SEA-SFO-SEA.. Just wondering if it's worth upgrading for..
Oct 11, 2008, 12:10 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: TPE/KHH/LAX
Programs: JL Diamond, CX MPC Silver, OW Emerald, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,144
Some people may disagree with me, but if you are only flying from SEA to SFO, then I personally do not believe it is worth the money to upgrade.
E+ is most useful on longer flights such as transcontinental, TPAC, TATL etc...
E+ is most useful on longer flights such as transcontinental, TPAC, TATL etc...
Oct 11, 2008, 12:25 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ORD, PDX
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Avis 1st
Posts: 284
I agree. I paid for E+ on PDX-ORD flights before I made 2P, but I wouldn't have bothered for a shorter flight. If you're really tall, you might benefit enough to merit paying, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Oct 11, 2008, 12:26 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Star Alliance, One World, Skyteam, BR, GA, EK, VX, SPG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IC
Posts: 4,065
They're using the A320, and B757-200.. I was wondering if the seat could easily fit me, I'm around 5'10, weights about 240 lbs.
Oct 11, 2008, 12:28 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
You may not value the cost of upgrading for the relative short trip, but I'd suggest doing it at least for one leg of your trip to give it a try... Then you'll have the answer...
Oct 11, 2008, 12:34 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,867
i can live on 32" pitch for <2 hr (5'10")
Oct 11, 2008, 12:56 am
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
From a cost standpoint, it's pretty much charged on a per-mile basis, so technically I don't think it's a better deal on a longer vs shorter flight.
Oct 11, 2008, 1:22 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693
I was on my first US segment this year (unfortunately not my last). I'll be flying DEN-XXX-MSY the rest of the year and will need XXX to make 1k, whether it be IAD (hopefully), PHL or CLT.
I will jokingly tell you to not get hooked on E+ unless you will be 3P+ soon, because once you have it on a regular basis, you have a hard time understanding why you can't pull your laptop bag out from under the seat without contorting your legs into a yoga postion, or stretch your legs out all the way (I am also 5'10").
But seriously, as a GM I used to regularly purchase E+ on 2 hr flights to SFO, LAX, MSY... and found it very worth it.
I will jokingly tell you to not get hooked on E+ unless you will be 3P+ soon, because once you have it on a regular basis, you have a hard time understanding why you can't pull your laptop bag out from under the seat without contorting your legs into a yoga postion, or stretch your legs out all the way (I am also 5'10").
But seriously, as a GM I used to regularly purchase E+ on 2 hr flights to SFO, LAX, MSY... and found it very worth it.
Oct 11, 2008, 1:39 am
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K 2 MM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,627
If you have to ask, the answer is probably 'no'...
Oct 11, 2008, 1:43 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sydney, AU
Programs: QF SG,Velocity WP, HI Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 399
Another option if you do fly a lot - would it be worth to buy the Economy Plus membership annual option for about $349.
Have purchased it and found it good value expect on the old B733/B735 who have those disgusting old seats!!
Have purchased it and found it good value expect on the old B733/B735 who have those disgusting old seats!!
Oct 11, 2008, 6:37 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Width might be as important to you as pitch.
320s have 18", 752s have 17", and the difference is noticable to some. Also stay out of the rows with fixed arm rests, e.g., exit and bulkhead rows, because this further detracts from seat width. Also, if you're lucky enough to have an empty middle seat, a normal row allows you to put the armrest up and enjoy the extra space.
320s have 18", 752s have 17", and the difference is noticable to some. Also stay out of the rows with fixed arm rests, e.g., exit and bulkhead rows, because this further detracts from seat width. Also, if you're lucky enough to have an empty middle seat, a normal row allows you to put the armrest up and enjoy the extra space.
Oct 11, 2008, 9:23 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: Star Alliance, One World, Skyteam, BR, GA, EK, VX, SPG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IC
Posts: 4,065
Well, I'm a M+ member as well, but primarily uses Krisflyer to credit for my flights using Star Alliance carriers. In short I don' use M+ a lot except for their partner companies' purchases.
Now with the seats, the price for the upgrade is $ 78 dollars R/T. To be honest, if the First in Virgin wasn't so expensive (This is for another flight 1 week before thanksgiving) and their price is the same as United, I would've taken it.
One further question.. Is it worth spending 60,000 miles on First class as award ticket on this SEA-SFO-SEA segment?
Now with the seats, the price for the upgrade is $ 78 dollars R/T. To be honest, if the First in Virgin wasn't so expensive (This is for another flight 1 week before thanksgiving) and their price is the same as United, I would've taken it.
One further question.. Is it worth spending 60,000 miles on First class as award ticket on this SEA-SFO-SEA segment?
Oct 11, 2008, 9:33 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,845
I'd say it depends on your size (which you specified) and your economic situation. I am 6'1 and could easily survive in E- (as I do whenever I fly on a non-UA flight), especially on a short flight like yours. However, I'd pay up if LH or AA or whoever I am on were to offer an E+ like product as it is a lot more comfortable. But you're the only one who can truly determine whether the cost is worth it to you, so I'd concur with Zacnlinc that you should try it on one leg.
Eeek! No, not worth it to me. 80,000 miles could get you to Europe in C (which is much better than domestic F).
Originally Posted by General_Flyer
One further question.. Is it worth spending 60,000 miles on First class as award ticket on this SEA-SFO-SEA segment?
Oct 11, 2008, 10:01 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,885
I disagree. I am tall and E+ is useful on any flight for me. It also gives me a chance to open up my laptop in flight when the person in front of me reclines.
Last edited by dimramon; Oct 11, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Oct 11, 2008, 10:29 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
As for E+, at 6-4 that is the most important benefit my status earns. At 5-10, YMMV but I'd do as suggested above - try it with E+ buy-up for one leg and without for the other and make your own judgement. It is a short flight. You will survive either way.