I keep trying. Asked Sunday at the gate, they were really nice, but couldn't help. They said it was over sold. Snagged an E+ for tomorrow at check in today.

Typically I book 2 weeks out. I try to do 3 when I can.

Sunday 2 weeks ago DEN-MCO H Fare stuck in E- return that Thursday, got upgraded night before, at gate got moved to E- middle, they said they upgraded too many people by mistake, only E- middle was left. Both flights asked for volunteers.

Sunday a week ago DEN-IND U fare. In E-, F went out full. Did not get UG or moved to E+. they asked for volunteers.

Return was last Thursday ORD-DEN U fare, stuck in E- no U/G. (IND-ORD was CR3). They asked for volunteers, U/G list had 77 people.

Last Sunday DEN-MSN V fare Stuck in E-, no U/G or room to move to E+ even at gate at gate. They asked for volunteers.

Tomorrow ORD-DEN V fare, Just moved up to E+ at OLCI, there was only 1 seat in E+, plenty in E-. KVS says 3 left in F. Probably no U/G.

Next Sunday DEN-MSN U Fare, got upgraded today! Yay! But it is UAX CR7. I do miss mainline F. I haven't had that in a while.

Next Thursday ORD-DEN U Fare 2 middle seats in E+, no exit rows, lots of E-. I've stayed in E- Aisle so far. (MSN-ORD is CR3).

This week, I got fed up and a week from Sunday booked DEN-MSN on F9 for $209 after tax, fully refundable ticket, get their version of E+, free drinks, and free TV all included with my ticket price. I love United, but I had to book F9, half the price of my normal ticket with free drinks, E+, and TV!

Sadly, if this trend keeps up...I may book more F9 and less UA.

So far, on my last few UAX CR7 flights, they are all in F.

With all these offers to volunteer, I do hope you've been collecting a nice stack of DBCs along the way....I try to ask if they need volunteers before they even get a chance to ask.

Are others finding E+ availability in short supply? On my SFO-IAD flight I will be in the back of the bus because the plane had nothing in E+. I looked at multiple flights and found pretty much everything sold out. I've never had that happen before. I booked the ticket 3 weeks out. Maybe it's just because it's the last week in August. Thoughts? Experiences?

It's a real bummer to be sitting in E- Upgrade seems pretty unlikely to clear. I haven't sat in E- in several years.... Gulp.

I've noticed fewer seats over the last two months, or so. Wonder if UA is beginning capacity control to upsell E+? <conspiracy theory off>

Just make sure to check back frequently after UDU kicks in (120 hours prior to departure) - you should be able to get into E+.

It seems that UA has been trying very hard to up-sell E+! (which I hope is a good sign if the merger happens..)

What about exit rows? As a 1K, you have the ability to book the exit row. Are they full?

That's a great idea. Thanks! I was thinking the same thing about the capacity controll too!

This is what I suspect with the E+ availability...

There has been so many equipment changes that E- folks are put in E+ due to the equipment change.

Example:
You book E- row 13 on the A319. Suddenly there's an upgauge to a 757. UA keeps your original row 13 seat assignments and you're now in E+.

Exit rows were taken. It's a 767-300.

FightingIlliniUAL had a great idea! Assuming that UA releases some NF (or NC if an ipte 767) space, you should be able to get an E+ seat, or maybe you can get into F/(C).

Good luck!^

I find it very much depends on origin and destination. Out of PHL I've had no problems at all finding really good E+ seats. Flying IAD-LAX it is much harder though I've still been successful every time.

SFO-IAD? I'd guess that is probably the toughest route in UA's system to ensure E+ on due to the density of elites on the airplane. Probably not the best example of a coming trend.

Actually, check first to see the F load and whether there is NF availability. Not much is going to change at 120/100/72 hours on a flight with NF0.

If you still cannot secure E+ prior check-in, politely mention to the GA that you'd like the chance to move into E+ as any UDU's clear. Most likely, the pax that get the UDU at the gate will be in E+.

I've done this in the past and it's been hit or miss, since you're going SFO-IAD, the E+ would be a major benefit so it'd be worth you hanging near the podium so as not to get out of sight of the GA. My experience has been if they see you and you've been polite they remember to help you out. Last time I tried this I was moved from E- into F. It was probably more due to my status and fare clss, but I'd like to think being patient and friendly helped out.

agree with PHLgovflyer- it really depends on destination and point of origin.

Dont you see the ads everywhere for the "five inches of legroom"??? and I think when a non premier member checks in on a kiosk they are now given the ability to "buy up." gosh. if I was used to being thrown into 26 B or E and was given the option to buy 8A for 30 bucks, Id do it in a millisecond!
My guess is that is a large part of the problem.

Dumb question, but are you sure you are logged in? I'm finding it hard to believe every E+ seat and exit row seat is taken on multiple flights weeks in advance. Possible, but not something I've seen at all.

I would lean more towards another united.com bug than anything else. I've never had any trouble getting E+.