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United Airlines Seat Selection: What You Need to Know

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United Airlines seat selection

United seat selection fees, united credit cards with travel benefits, united airlines seats for elite members, united airlines seat map, how to select a seat on united airlines, final thoughts on selecting united airlines seats.

When you take to the skies one of the most important things when it comes to preparing for your flight is knowing where you'll be seated on the airplane. Like most other airlines, United gives its guests assigned seating on its flights. The majority of customers can select from a variety of seats for free, but there are also options for preferred seating and even upgrades for those who are willing to pay. Here's a look at United Airlines seat selection and United Airlines seat assignment policies.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Most United Airlines flights will have at least two cabin classes: economy and first class. Depending on where you’re going, you may also find business class and premium economy seating.

No matter your fare class, you will be able to choose a seat from the available selection, though how much you’ll pay and the associated fees will differ according to your ticket and various other factors.

How much is seat selection on United Airlines? Charges vary, but generally speaking, the longer and more in-demand your flight, the more expensive it will be for your seat selection.

Basic economy (most restrictive)

Basic economy tickets don't provide complimentary seat selection in any cabin. In exchange for cheaper tickets, you can either opt to pay for a seat assignment or wait until check-in and be randomly assigned a seat.

Families and groups who book basic economy tickets won't be seated together; though again, they can pay to ensure that they’re near each other.

Standard economy

You may be wondering: “How do I choose my seat on United Airlines?” Happily, those booking a regular economy class ticket will have the ability to book a seat for free, although the available options may not be desirable. In this case, customers can also choose to pay for better seats while maintaining their economy class ticket.

If you’re traveling with young children you may want to know: “Does United seat families together?” Yes, it does. If you’re booking an economy ticket or above, United’s system will automatically attempt to seat children under 15 on the same reservation together with their parents.

» Learn more: Is United Airlines good?

Preferred seating

Preferred seating features seats with better locations than standard United economy flights. The seats are the same, but they tend to be closer to the front of the cabin. Costs for preferred seating vary depending on the flight, but these are the cheapest paid seat upgrades you can find on United flights.

Economy Plus

Economy Plus seats are within the standard economy cabin, though they’re located just behind first class seating. They provide more legroom than regular economy seats and also offer free alcoholic beverages on premium transcontinental routes. These seats are more expensive than preferred seats.

Premium Plus

Premium Plus is United’s premium economy offering and is available on select flights. This is better than economy class but not as good as United’s international business class, Premium Plus seats are all free for those who book this cabin.

United first and business class

Like Premium Plus, those who book either first or business class can choose any seat within the cabin for free.

» Learn more: How you’ll earn United Premier Qualifying Points on flights

Regardless of where you sit, a United Airlines credit card can provide benefits that make your travel day a little less stressful, from priority boarding and free checked bags to airport lounge access. Among your options:

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card

on Chase's website

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS .

• Priority boarding .

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).

• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.

• Access to United Club airport lounges.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Loyal members of United’s MileagePlus program receive additional benefits when booking flights, including better seats.

Silver elite members and above have complimentary access to preferred seating at booking.

Gold elite members and above can pick an Economy Plus seat for free when booking their ticket. Silver members, meanwhile, can choose from available Economy Plus seats upon check-in.

United elite members are also entitled to complimentary upgrades on select flights starting as early as 96 hours before departure.

Wondering what the seats on your flight will look like? United provides a seat map that you can find when booking your flight. Before selecting a flight, you can view the seat map by selecting “Seats” on the search result page.

This will open a live preview of the seats on your aircraft that shows you the layout of the seats as well as which seats are available to select. You’ll also see the seat map during booking, when you’re prompted to select your seats.

After booking, it’s possible to change your seats by going to "My Trips" and selecting "Manage Trips." Once on your specific flight page, you’ll be able to view your seat and select a new one if you desire.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United vs. American

During booking

You’ll automatically be prompted to select a seat when booking your ticket online. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll fill out your passenger information and any frequent flyer programs.

Depending on your flight, United may also offer the ability to purchase discounted bundles during checkout. These may save you money over choosing extras individually, though you’ll want to take a look at the costs.

After deciding whether to add a bundle, you’ll be taken to the seat map to choose your seat. A legend on the right will show you which seats are included and the costs of any upgrades.

Once you’ve selected a seat, complete the check-out process and pay for your ticket.

After booking

If you’ve already booked a ticket and would like to select a seat or change your existing seat, you can do so from the “Manage My Trips” tab under the “My Trips” option.

Then, you’ll select “Manage Trip” from your available trips. Here you’ll find your trip information, including the option to change your seat.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of MileagePlus

United Airlines’ seating policies can be confusing, especially when you’re booking an economy class ticket. The short of it is this: If you book at least a standard economy ticket, you’ll be able to choose a seat for free during the booking process as long as you're traveling on a United-operated flight (versus a flight operated by a partner). You can also pay to have better seats, though some United elite members will receive access to these better seats for free. Basic economy customers, meanwhile, will always need to pay to select a seat.

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Preferred seating

Get a better economy seat.

What is preferred seating?

Buying preferred seating.

A preferred seat is a regular United Economy seat that’s closer to the front of the plane. This will put you in the first few rows behind Economy Plus. Extra legroom is not included.

Earlier onboard service

Get food and drinks sooner.

Faster exit

Get off the plane more quickly.

Earn points

MileagePlus members can earn Premier points for buying preferred seats. Learn more

Anyone can buy preferred seating if they are taking a United or United Express flight. Prices vary based on the route.

You can buy preferred seating on united.com or on our app . Choose a preferred seat on the seat map while buying your flight. If you already have your ticket, you can still choose preferred seats while managing your trip in My Trips .

MileagePlus members

MileagePlus members with Premier status can get preferred seating at no extra cost. Other members can earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) for buying preferred seating. Points are given after the trip.

Preferred seating FAQ

If i buy preferred seating, can i change my seats.

Yes. If the price of the new seat is equal to or less than the one you first booked, you can change your seat for free.

If the price of the new seat is more than the one you first booked, your old seat will be refunded once you buy your new seat.

Will I get a refund if my trip is canceled?

Yes, if you cancel your trip you’ll be refunded.

If we cancel your flight or there’s a schedule change, your preferred seating will be moved to your new flight for free. If preferred seating isn’t available on your new flight, you’ll be refunded.

What if I bought preferred seating but want to change my flight?

If you decide to change your flight, you’ll be refunded. If the ticket is partially used, only the value of unused preferred seating will be refunded.

What happens if I buy preferred seating and then get upgraded?

Preferred seating purchases for the upgraded flight will be refunded. Exclusions include:

If you move to a seat of similar or greater value
If there is a plane change or other operational issue

If I buy a preferred seat but don't get to sit in it, will I receive a refund?

Yes, you will be refunded after your departure.

What is the deadline to request a refund?

You must send a request within 90 days of your flight or buying preferred seating.

How long will it take to receive a refund?

Up to seven business days from the date when the refund is issued.

If you don't get a refund within one billing cycle, please contact your credit card company for information.

For all other forms of payment, please allow up to 20 days for a refund to be processed. If you don't see a refund within these times, you can submit a refund request .

As a Premier member, will I be able to select preferred seating when traveling on a Basic Economy ticket?

Premier members traveling on Basic Economy tickets will be required to purchase preferred seating and will not receive preferred seating benefits at no charge.

Can I earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) on my preferred seating purchase?

Yes, the traveler sitting in the purchased preferred seat is eligible to earn PQP upon completion of travel. PQP will be earned at a rate of 1 PQP for each U.S. dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees) or 1 PQP for every 100 MileagePlus miles redeemed for the preferred seat purchase. PQP are credited to the account of the member who travels, not necessarily the member who purchases the preferred seat. For more information, see our PQP Frequently Asked Questions.

Terms and conditions

Any customer-requested changes to a trip will remove your preferred seat reservation. You can buy or select preferred seating again, if available.

You can only buy preferred seating if there are available seats on your flight.

Preferred seating is only for United and United Express® flights.

Preferred seating is nonrefundable unless the ticket is canceled before your trip.

Refunds are automatic if the flight is cancelled.

Refunds are automatic if you must sit in a standard United Economy seat for your flight.

If you are eligible for a refund but haven't gotten one, make a request using the refund request form or by mail.

Complimentary access is excluded when traveling on Basic Economy tickets.

Basic Economy tickets are eligible to buy preferred seating.

MileagePlus members can earn Premier® qualifying points (PQP) on preferred seat one-time purchases upon completion of travel.

PQP will be earned at a rate of 1 PQP for each U.S. dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees) or 1 PQP for every 100 MileagePlus miles redeemed for the preferred seat purchase.

PQP from preferred seat one-time purchases are credited to the member who travels in preferred seating.

PQP earned from preferred seat purchases count toward earning all Premier status levels.

PQP earned from preferred seat purchases count towards earning incremental PlusPoints for eligible members.

PQP accrual on preferred seat purchases will be determined based upon the accrual structure in effect at the time of travel, not at the time that the seat is purchased, booked or reserved, or the time that retro-credit is requested.

The traveler must provide their MileagePlus number and have the flights posted to their account to earn PQP.

Offer subject to change without notice.

The ability to redeem miles for a Preferred seat purchase is available only for flights entirely within the 50 United States that are operated by United or United Express and for select flights to destinations outside of the U.S., as determined by United in its sole discretion.

If you purchased a seat with miles and decide to upgrade, you’ll be refunded the cost of your original seat and charged the cost of the new seat. For all other payment methods, you’ll be charged the price difference. If you have not received your refund within 20 days, please submit a refund request.

Smarter.com

Everything You Need to Know About United Airlines Seat Selection

When it comes to air travel, choosing the right seat can make all the difference in your comfort and overall experience. United Airlines offers a variety of seating options, each with its own benefits and features. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about United Airlines seat selection, from choosing your seat during the reservation process to upgrading your seat on the day of your flight.

Choosing Your Seat During Reservation

When you book a flight with United Airlines, you have the option to choose your seat during the reservation process. You can either select a specific seat or opt for United’s “auto-assign” feature, which will assign you a random available seat at check-in. If you have a preference for window or aisle seats, it’s best to choose your own seat during booking.

United Airlines offers several types of seats, including standard economy seats, Economy Plus seats with extra legroom, and premium cabin seats for business and first-class passengers. Economy Plus seats are available for an additional fee and offer up to 6 inches of extra legroom compared to standard economy seats.

Upgrading Your Seat

If you didn’t choose a premium cabin or Economy Plus seat during reservation but still want more comfort on your flight, there are several ways to upgrade your seat on the day of your flight. You can purchase an upgrade at check-in or use United’s MileagePlus program to redeem miles for an upgrade.

Another option is United’s “PlusPoints” program. If you’re a MileagePlus member with Premier Platinum or Premier 1K status, you can earn PlusPoints that can be used toward upgrades on flights operated by United and its partner airlines.

Special Seating Needs

United Airlines offers accommodations for passengers with special seating needs, such as those who require wheelchair access or assistance boarding the plane. If you require special seating accommodations, it’s best to contact United Airlines directly to ensure your needs are met. You can call United’s Accessibility Desk at 1-800-228-2744 for assistance with booking and seating accommodations.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right seat can make a big difference in your comfort and enjoyment during air travel. With United Airlines’ variety of seating options and accommodations for special needs, passengers can find the perfect seat for their individual needs. Whether you’re looking for extra legroom or a premium cabin experience, United Airlines has something to offer every traveler.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.