Pre-reserved and changing seats
 

Hello FT,

I have tried to search but could not find anything. I apologize if it has been talked about many times.

Just booked my first itinenary at united.com and not very familiar with United at all especially with the seating map. Here are the questions I have and your help will be appreciated.

1. I was able to select seats during the booking process but could not find any tool online allowing me to change seats. Is there any way that I can change seats at united.com?

2. I saw Travelocity showing different seating availability and called UA. The agent said it is not available. Does UA give a block of seats to others and not available for reserving at united.com? I understand some rows are reserved for elite. The ones I see unavailable are way in the back.

Thanks! :)

1. You cannot change seats at United.com. You have to call reservations.
2. The front several rows of each plane, called Economy Plus, have a few inches of extra leg room and are reserved for elites or people traveling on a full fare economy ticket (Y/B fare). You can view the seat maps for all of United's planes at www.seatguru.com and you'll find out which rows are designated Economy Plus. If you can manage to get a seat in one of these rows you will definitely like the seat better than regular economy (no other difference except extra leg room). But if you do get one it will likely be by the good graces of the gate agent when you check in, not in advance. The seats you see at the very back of the plane are not Economy Plus but they are usually blocked out up until a day or two before the flight I guess to give the airline more control at the very end. 1K's can view and select these seats anytime in advance but no one else can (and I can't imagine any 1K wanting them!)