United Economy Plus - thoughts?

[dis_guy]

Just a word to those that usually book E+ seats. If you have enough time (like a few months) before flying, don't buy your E+ seat until you see what UA will offer you for an upgrade to Business/First. When we booked in Jan for our Nov flight, whenever I checked under "Manage My Reservation", down at the bottom there would be an offer to buy into first class. At first it was as much as or more than our original fare, but after a while there was a much lower priced offer for upgrading. I did the math. By the time I considered the E+ fees, airport/onboard food, and the fact we usually have to check a bag at least one way, add priority boarding and it was a no brainer. So for about $50 more than E+ seats and a checked bag we're riding in the front of the plane. Over on Flyertallk they report some pretty wild UA upgrade offers. From crazy low on long flights, to crazy high on some really short ones. I'm sure your mileage will vary!

 

[shoes99]

Just a word to those that usually book E+ seats. If you have enough time (like a few months) before flying, don't buy your E+ seat until you see what UA will offer you for an upgrade to Business/First. When we booked in Jan for our Nov flight, whenever I checked under "Manage My Reservation", down at the bottom there would be an offer to buy into first class. At first it was as much as or more than our original fare, but after a while there was a much lower priced offer for upgrading. I did the math. By the time I considered the E+ fees, airport/onboard food, and the fact we usually have to check a bag at least one way, add priority boarding and it was a no brainer. So for about $50 more than E+ seats and a checked bag we're riding in the front of the plane. Over on Flyertallk they report some pretty wild UA upgrade offers. From crazy low on long flights, to crazy high on some really short ones. I'm sure your mileage will vary!

Yes this is what we might do. We are flying NJ to CA on 10/20 with United. We already have FC booked for the
post-cruise return flight, just waiting for the outbound to switch to EC+ or FC.

 

[nkereina]

Please note that moving from E to E+ is not considered to be an upgrade.

Why not? I'm paying a couple hundred more for a better seat. But I'm not here for the semantics, you know what I meant.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why not? I'm paying a couple hundred more for a better seat. But I'm not here for the semantics, you know what I meant.

If you say you upgraded on United, I would think you moved from economy to business or business to first. I would not understand you moved from economy to economy plus, because that's not upgrading. Of course you are free to use the incorrect terminology.

I don't know how much it costs because I can select seats in E+ for myself and up to 8 companions for free. A nice FF benefit.

 

[jec6613]

If you say you upgraded on United, I would think you moved from economy to business or business to first. I would not understand you moved from economy to economy plus, because that's not upgrading. Of course you are free to use the incorrect terminology.

More specifically, an upgrade changes your fare class. United's E+ is the same fare class as regular economy, it's just an added fee. It's just like how paying to check a bag isn't an upgrade, it's another fee for a premium seat in the same cabin. A change in fare class not only changes your seat position to a different cabin, but also changes your booking, cancellation and change rules.

UA's E+, the one time I've flown it, struck me as pretty much identical to the international coach seats on BA and AA in legroom, just a bit narrower.

I don't know how much it costs because I can select seats in E+ for myself and up to 8 companions for free. A nice FF benefit.

I don't recall how many companions I get on AA into their MCE other than more than I've ever booked, but it is a very nice perk. I can also link AA PNR's and even if they're not on the same reservation they can get my benefits, so long as either the O or D airports and one flight segment are the same.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Anyone ever pay to upgrade to the Economy Plus seats on a United flight? They have more legroom and are in the front of the plane, between First Class and Economy. Just wondering if the extra legroom is actually noticeable and if its worth the cost. Mulling it over for our flight to Aulani next year, and it would add about $400 round trip for us. But coming from the east coast (9 hr flight), comfort is a priority. Thanks all!

Every time I fly! Of course, for my family we have no choice but to purchase the extra legroom seats (I'm the shortest, at 6'2", tallest is 7'0"). I've found that the extra legroom on United adds between 4 and 6 inches depending on the aircraft configuration and type.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

More specifically, an upgrade changes your fare class. United's E+ is the same fare class as regular economy, it's just an added fee. It's just like how paying to check a bag isn't an upgrade, it's another fee for a premium seat in the same cabin. A change in fare class not only changes your seat position to a different cabin, but also changes your booking, cancellation and change rules.

.......

Exactly! Good explanation.