What happens to all those empty "Economy Plus" seats?
Jan 6th, 2012, 12:34 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What happens to all those empty "Economy Plus" seats?
I have a full-fare, Y, ticket on United Airlines - US to London and return. I am NOT a UA Elite member. On one of my flights, I have no seat assignment although my flight is "confirmed" According to the seating map, there are no empty seats on this particular flight -- no empty "free" seats that is. There are nearly 14 rows of empty "Economy Plus" seats on the flight. In order to get an EP seat assignment in advance, it will cost me an extra $99. What happens if I don't pay and just go to the airport? Will I eventually be assigned one of the empty EP seats in order to make my flight? Not being a UA frequent flier, I don't know how their system works.
Can anyone offer some insight? Thanks
Can anyone offer some insight? Thanks
Jan 6th, 2012, 01:44 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You most probably won't get upgraded if that's what you are after. If they need one seat for you they will upgrade some elite customer first and give you the vacated seat.
OR they may upgrade you, being on a full Y. But slim chance of this.
OR they may upgrade you, being on a full Y. But slim chance of this.
Jan 6th, 2012, 02:34 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
there are several possibilities
•(worst one) flight winds up oversold and as you do not have a seat assignment you will be the first one bumped off the flight and offered some compensation/another flight.
• you will be assigned one of the empty E+ seats at checkin
• (least likely) As a single person, it is POSSIBLE you might get upgraded over a couple if there is only 1 Business seat left. VERY unlikely.
I would definitely call and see if you can snag a seat now in E+.
•(worst one) flight winds up oversold and as you do not have a seat assignment you will be the first one bumped off the flight and offered some compensation/another flight.
• you will be assigned one of the empty E+ seats at checkin
• (least likely) As a single person, it is POSSIBLE you might get upgraded over a couple if there is only 1 Business seat left. VERY unlikely.
I would definitely call and see if you can snag a seat now in E+.
Jan 6th, 2012, 04:50 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On domestic flights if there are still Economy + seats available when I check in online, I will be asked if I want to purchase one. I usually do. The United elite members people will be asking for and getting any available E+ seats at the airport as upgrades, they will not be given to non-members.
Jan 7th, 2012, 02:27 AM
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FF milers get the upgrades hat are not bought if any.
Pay as you go for best experience usually best for me.
Use my points for upgrades if possible.Also book with
points andpay for upgrades if cheap day of flight.
Pay as you go for best experience usually best for me.
Use my points for upgrades if possible.Also book with
points andpay for upgrades if cheap day of flight.
Jan 7th, 2012, 06:50 AM
#9
>>>According to the seating map, there are no empty seats on this particular flight -- no empty "free" seats that is.<<<
You can't go by seating maps on the airline websites as to what's available as they aren't what is really booked or available. They are just showing what they want to at the moment. There are some paid services with more accurate seat accounting (search Flyertalk if you are interested - KVS Availability Tool and Expertflyer).
http://mileageplusmergerupdates.com/...Overview#chart
You can't go by seating maps on the airline websites as to what's available as they aren't what is really booked or available. They are just showing what they want to at the moment. There are some paid services with more accurate seat accounting (search Flyertalk if you are interested - KVS Availability Tool and Expertflyer).
http://mileageplusmergerupdates.com/...Overview#chart
Jan 7th, 2012, 06:56 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This isn't a matter of my not wanting to pay for an upgrade, or even wanting an "upgrade" -- I just want to get on the flight and get home. I am flying for a charity that buys the ticket, their policy won't cover an E+ seat assignment. Fine by me. I just don't understand how UA works. At boarding, will a bunch of E- seated people be moved to E+ seats so that others who have a confirmed reservation with no seat assignment can be accommodated ? Sounds like a wild game of musical chairs. It's a wonder their planes ever get off the ground.
Jan 7th, 2012, 09:20 AM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had one experience with this situation on UA. I was traveling on business that was booked kinda last minute, 3-4 days in advance. There was no pre "free" seat assignment available, not even middle seat. I Arrived at the airport and was given an economy plus seat as those were still available when I arrived. This was at LAX. I am not any kind of special UA mileage plus member. I think there is no sure answer, it is just luck of the draw at the moment if all economy "free" seats are pre-assigned on that given flight.
Jan 7th, 2012, 03:37 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I have a MP Acct. It has no miles in it. I have no other trips booked with them. I live in a Delta hub and have a high elite status with DL, but this trip is being paid by someone else who is using UA to save on the cost of this trip. What difference will that make, mrwunrfl?
Again, it's not about an upgrade....I just want to get on the flight.
Again, it's not about an upgrade....I just want to get on the flight.
Jan 7th, 2012, 08:17 PM
#15
>>>I live in a Delta hub and have a high elite status with DL,<<<
Ask United for a status match.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53424,00.html
Ask United for a status match.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53424,00.html
Jan 7th, 2012, 09:00 PM
#16
Status matching was the point of my questions.
I would call and ask to talk to a supervisor about a status match. They may just give you the instructions on the page linked by kybourbon, but I would try calling. It used to be that it could be done over the phone. Your Y fare helps the case as would future bookings if you had any.
So, get Premier-somthing status and get the E+ seats that you want for free.
My first question, about putting your MP# on the res, was about maximizing your "rank" in the UA pecking order. My thinking is that general member on a Y > GM on an L > MP non-member. This might not make any difference, but it can't hurt (unless you actually want to earn the miles on a different *A program, in which case I would use that other number).
If you go for a status match then after it is approved, I would call UA and have them remove and reenter your MP number on the reservation. This might not be necessary any more, but I would do it.
I would call and ask to talk to a supervisor about a status match. They may just give you the instructions on the page linked by kybourbon, but I would try calling. It used to be that it could be done over the phone. Your Y fare helps the case as would future bookings if you had any.
So, get Premier-somthing status and get the E+ seats that you want for free.
My first question, about putting your MP# on the res, was about maximizing your "rank" in the UA pecking order. My thinking is that general member on a Y > GM on an L > MP non-member. This might not make any difference, but it can't hurt (unless you actually want to earn the miles on a different *A program, in which case I would use that other number).
If you go for a status match then after it is approved, I would call UA and have them remove and reenter your MP number on the reservation. This might not be necessary any more, but I would do it.
Jan 8th, 2012, 12:34 PM
#18
There are status match forms, but I only see 2011 and 2010. Maybe the 2012 isn't online yet.
http://media.expedia.com/ads/ECT/Car...equestForm.pdf
http://media.expedia.com/ads/ECT/Car...equestForm.pdf
Jan 8th, 2012, 01:07 PM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kybourbon (one of my favorite drinks, BTW). I spoke with UA customer service rep and a supv. No help from either. Recommended that I email <u>and</u> fax my request stating urgent need. This I did. We'll see if next week brings a response. I hope so. In any case, thank you so much for this advice.
Jan 8th, 2012, 03:53 PM
#20
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2012 link is HERE
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53424,00.html
the big change is, if you get the status match you only keep it if you fly 10K + miles in 90 days. But if you don't plan to fly UAL much in the future that won't matter.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53424,00.html
the big change is, if you get the status match you only keep it if you fly 10K + miles in 90 days. But if you don't plan to fly UAL much in the future that won't matter.
