Rothrob--I totally understand what you are saying. Maybe it's not underhanded or anything like that. Maybe United isn't trying to trick anyone. All I am saying is that it's confusing for someone that doesn't fly often. An inexperienced traveler like my wife who has been involuntarily bumped from flights before that were oversold and didn't get volunteers to give up their seats could be easily confused in this situation into thinking that once again they didn't have a guaranteed seat on this flight and they'd offer to pay to take a better seat because all they want to do is get on the flight. The E+ seats are fantastic on United, but a person that flies 2-3 times a year doesn't know anything about them and I think it's asking a lot for someone that just wants to fly economy from one place to another a couple times a year to read up on all of the quirks that might arise as a result of this benefit. When my wife has to go somewhere she gets on orbitz, finds the cheapest fare for the times she wants to go and books the flight on whatever airline that is and as far as she knows, when she checks in, she should have a seat assignment. She would never have thought to go look at the United website to learn that there are actually differences in economy seats. (That said, since we got married a year ago, I now book all my wife's flights and check her in on-line so that she doesn't get tripped up by these things.)All I'm asking is that if you get in this situation where you check in and don't get a seat assignment, United should print something on that boarding pass that says you are guaranteed a seat and will not be bumped, but that your seat assignment will be given at the gate. All it says now is that you'll get your seat assignment at the gate, which is the same thing it says when the flight is oversold and you aren't on the list to get on.

I don't think anyone would disagree that there could be improvements in the level of service an airline provides. I know I don�t. Also, I recall the days when I wasn't used to flying and all of the associated customs, rules and procedures involved. I also don�t think you�re out of line for disliking how things went for you on that flight. In your situation, I probably wouldn�t have been too happy either.

When I�m about to commit to something as problematical as airline travel, however, I definitely take the time to understand what it�s all about. The traveler does have some responsibility here. It�s not like there aren�t a plethora of available resources in the internet age, right. At least Mrs. bigrob had a travel companion who knew what was going on.

Actually, even if you miss the 12/31 deadline, call MP in 2007 and show them the #s; you should be rewarded for having traveled so many miles in 2006 and for having the card. They will likely retro-credit you for the 62 EQM to have effect in 2006. They are good that way.

That would scare me. I don't know if I trust MP enough for that. If your purchase doesn't post by 12/20 ish I would definately trade choices in. ^

Call MP now and ask them yourself. If the CSA agrees with me, get their name as a back-up. I agree, it is trusting, but they can be held accountable (they are nice at MP), esp. for something this close to the edge.

I don't know - I've pretty much stuck with United for the last 10+ years. But every time I hear stories about rotten customer service for non-elites, I think to myself I'd hate to be in their shoes, and that I'd probably try one or two different carriers if I ever found myself with no status.

E+ is nice, but I'm not that tall so it's not "much more comfortable" to me. I'd fly the airline that shows the most interest in keeping me as a customer - and scaring me into paying more than I bargained for just to avoid being bumped would have the opposite effect.

I don't have a problem for paying for E+ on long flights, but this was for a 35 minute flight from RDU to IAD. You'd have to come up with something pretty spectacular as far as cramped seating to extract $40 for me for a better seat for 35 minutes.

Thanks for the advice on the EQMs from my ticket purchase. I had decided that if they didn't post by Dec 1, I'd start trying to get an answer from Chase as to when they might post or from United to see if I could have them credited to 2006 if they post next year, but this morning it looks like they've gone through. I've got a flight from BOS to LAS next weekend and then I'll hit premiere status for the first time ever. Very nice!