Standard award and E+ - gone?
Nov 9, 2009, 8:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
Standard award and E+ - gone?
According to the phone agent I just spoke to, booking mileage seats using a standard award (50K miles domestic) no longer get s you access to economy plus? Is that correct? I sure missed that change if that's the case.
Nov 9, 2009, 8:30 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
If you're a 1K, you should have E+ access all the time on any sort of ticket. It even works if you're buying UA as a codeshare on another airline.
Nov 9, 2009, 8:31 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: No Loyalty to any airline
Posts: 2,378
Is that versus booking a saver award 
?
No, that's not true. As a 1K you have E+ access.
?No, that's not true. As a 1K you have E+ access.
Nov 9, 2009, 8:38 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I think at one point the standard award was treated as a full-fare Y ticket and gave automatic E+ access, etc. Perhaps the agent was stating that that no longer applies (or is confused).
All 3P, 2P, 1P, 1K, GS, and Economy Plus Access customers get E+ access on all of the itineraries they fly on.
All 3P, 2P, 1P, 1K, GS, and Economy Plus Access customers get E+ access on all of the itineraries they fly on.
Nov 9, 2009, 9:01 am
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MEM
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 253
I think at one point the standard award was treated as a full-fare Y ticket and gave automatic E+ access, etc. Perhaps the agent was stating that that no longer applies (or is confused).
All 3P, 2P, 1P, 1K, GS, and Economy Plus Access customers get E+ access on all of the itineraries they fly on.
All 3P, 2P, 1P, 1K, GS, and Economy Plus Access customers get E+ access on all of the itineraries they fly on.
Nov 9, 2009, 9:36 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
Original poster here - I should have been more clear. I used my miles to buy standard award tickets for family members. I thought they would end up with E+ seats based on past history but I guess that's exactly what is is - past history.
Nov 9, 2009, 9:37 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
If you are booking for yourself... you absolutely would have E+ access.
However, if you are booking for a GM (or someone without status), they will not have E+ (unless they are flying with you).
FWIW, its been like this for a few years now.
However, if you are booking for a GM (or someone without status), they will not have E+ (unless they are flying with you).
FWIW, its been like this for a few years now.
Nov 9, 2009, 9:44 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Looks like you've been around awhile, but I will ask anyway......did you look at F Saver Awards for the same mileage requirement? I've seen this work on a number of occasions.
Nov 9, 2009, 9:45 am
#9
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
There was actually a very long thread on this a few years ago when it changed... very disappointing... if you "pay" that many miles for a ticket, I think you deserve the E+...
Nov 9, 2009, 9:47 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
I did check and there was nothing available - Christmas travel.
Last edited by hans; Nov 9, 2009 at 9:50 am Reason: clarity
Nov 9, 2009, 7:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: UA-1K/GS, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 106
Try changin your seat to E+ online. I just booked flights for my whole family and they had us seated in E-. I simply went online and chose different seats. All set.
Nov 9, 2009, 7:56 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,135
Nov 9, 2009, 8:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Unless of course you fly through HKG where the gate staff is Einsteinian in inventing new rules .. such as 1Ks not really being 1Ks or at least not all the time.
Nov 9, 2009, 8:39 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Gold, AA MM/Gold, Hilton Gold, Sheraton Gold
Posts: 369
As of September and October elites could book saver awards (to China) and get E+. I did. If I understand the question correctly...I did it all on line.
Nov 9, 2009, 8:44 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
The issue is non-elite passengers on Standard (high priced) awards. In the past (it's been a while now), UA allowed those pax access to E+. Now they do not.