olouie

I think he is talking about the E+ subs

SJEWEL

Yes, I'm referring to the E+ subscription. Can it be used on award travel?

WineCountryUA

yes -- there is no difference between $$$ or award travel in use of the subscription (hence it is not mentioned).

Economy Plus subscription

Duke787

A global E+ subscription costs $699 for a single person. Given that cost, I would urge the OP to avoid buying the subscription if this is his / her only trip on UA this year.

The cost of E+ for the individual trip will be less than the subscription (especially since in all likelihood the routing from SFO to Athens will have a maximum of 4 UA flights and more likely 2 and may not have any UA flights at all).

On the other hand if the OP has more trips planned (but not enough to reach elite status) the E+ subscription may be worthwhile.

worldwidedreamer

The OP should also make sure to amortize the subscription fee before receiving Silver status which generally provides free E+.

Baze

But only at time of checkin (24 hours). And the subscription would allow at booking, better than Silver.

eghansen

Personally I think that the subscriptions are a joke.

It might be useful if you are working to achieve status for the first time, but if you travel enough to make the E+ subscription pay off, you will probably end up achieving status anyway. On a flight I am taking from LHR-LAX in August booked in a K class, the E+ is only $120 additional.

BettyT

Is it worth the money to upgrade to economy plus on an overseas flight on United.

mgcsinc

That's like asking a bunch of strangers where to go for dinner...

The answer is maybe. Is the extra legroom worth the cost to you?

satman40

Depends on how long your legs are,

Middle_Seat

I find it useful to think in terms of dollars per hour. If the extended room would cost $200 for a 10-hr each-way flight, would the added comfort be worth $10/hour to me.

WineCountryUA

I moved your post into a thread of similiar questions, a little old but still relevant.
UA's EconomyPlus (E+) is a standard economy seat, with standard economy service but with 3"-5" and occasional more leg space. While only that, for many that is very important.

There is also
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...er-people.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html

BrisbanePE

Seriously considering a buy up to E+ centre-aisle for SYD-SFO this weekend (under the assumption it may afford sufficient space to actually work on my laptop ). Am wondering whether there are any normal patterns wrt pricing as the TOD approaches. Am I likely to see the price rise, fall or stay the same? Or is it likely to be random to an outside observer?

Lots of E+ left at this stage, but only two E- seats not allocated. Someone will likely get lucky on the day, but I wouldn't want to get stuck in a middle seat.

Thanks.

WineCountryUA

E+ costs seem to be fairly static and do not change as departure approaches.

mevallemadre

When I first embarked on searching for the benefits of purchasing a United Airlines Economy Plus subscription many posts were dedicated to how it wasn't economical. I write to share my difference of opinion. I was able to use this program to my benefit and here is how.

When I started the year off I had no status with UA; however, I had a couple of grand trips planned for the year. Living on the East Coast with family on the West Coast flying across country isn't in and of itself worthwhile for purchase of E+. I had grander travel visions including a trip to Brazil for the World Cup and London for a NFL game. Both of these trips were with a companion doesn’t have status with UA so I couldn't benefit off of them.

Many know about the AMEX Plat $200.00 airline benefit, which I had elected to be used on UA travel.

My London odyssey was to start simple enough LGA to HOU to DAL; Non-Rev via SWA early Saturday morning; however, the joys of Non-Rev travel forced me to purchase a space positive flight at UA's gate LGA to IAH to LIT then Non-Rev LIT to DAL. E+ from LGA to IAH only to find IAH to LIT flight was overbooked meaning I'd have to either spend the night in Arkansas to try to make to DAL first thing in the morning.

Long story short; rented a car using Hertz5* pts drive IAH - DAL. The next morning flights DAL - IAH - GRU in E+ for me plus one with a return itinerary of GRU - IAD - DFW (I said my goodbyes to my companion at IAD then went IAD - LGA). The E+ on those flights retail would have been around $500. Those flights aren’t enough for positive ROI of the subscription.

Fast forward to September London trip had me flying LGA - DEN - ABQ. The next day ABQ - IAH - LHR return trip LHR - IAH - ABQ (myself and a companion with no status) E+ would have been about $400. With these combined flights I reached my mileage minimum for Silver.

I had another little flight MSP - ORD - LGA at just under $100 for the E+ seats. This flight placed me in a positive ROI.

Summary E+ Global with Companions subscription cost $899.00 - $200 AMEX statement credit $699.00 (true cost).

Holiday travel will have me flying coast to coast a couple of times which is nice to book E+ seat at time of purchase instead of day of because of Silver Status. I don't think the service is for everyone; however, I made it work.

I hope this helps those who are considering the Subscription.

Thoughts???