Is it just me or has United further limited the "free" seat choices?

[Anonymous]

Okay long title. But I feel like the last few flights I have booked on United the fee free seats are being rapidly reduced. I remember flying last year and being able to get to the semi middle of the plane without having to pay extra and now it seems like the free seats are reduced to the last couple rows (i.e. typically we always fly in the 20s and now the only options are in the 30s). This is for regular economy NOT basic economy. I recently booked a flight to AZ and only three rows didn't require an extra cost.

[Anonymous]

Book earlier

[Anonymous]

I've been wondering the same thing! Ugh, I'm sorry this is happened to you. I don't ever remember this happening before, just screams of greed to me. In addition to the tickets themselves, I also had to pay for a seat for myself and my son. At the back of the plane. Second to last row

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Book earlier

This. I always book early and have plenty of choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been wondering the same thing! Ugh, I'm sorry this is happened to you. I don't ever remember this happening before, just screams of greed to me. In addition to the tickets themselves, I also had to pay for a seat for myself and my son. At the back of the plane. Second to last row

You should have been able to sit together for free if he's under 12, although when we did this, we got the very back row.

[Anonymous]

I mean I booked 6 months out. The issue is not a lack of seats in general. Like I found seats together no issue! The issue is that the first 32 rows on the plane require an extra fee. I just feel like it used to be better, and it seems a little ridiculous that 2/3 of the seats on a plane require an extra cost.

But I also think preferred economy is crap. I mean you aren't even paying for more leg room. You are just paying to sit closer to the front of the plane. I just feel like the preferred economy seats have expanded lately.

[Anonymous]

Yup. Total $ grab

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean I booked 6 months out. The issue is not a lack of seats in general. Like I found seats together no issue! The issue is that the first 32 rows on the plane require an extra fee. I just feel like it used to be better, and it seems a little ridiculous that 2/3 of the seats on a plane require an extra cost.

But I also think preferred economy is crap. I mean you aren't even paying for more leg room. You are just paying to sit closer to the front of the plane. I just feel like the preferred economy seats have expanded lately.

Yes, I noticed that now many regular economy seats are marked as "preferred".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Book earlier

This. I always book early and have plenty of choices.

I sometimes have to book fairly close to departure and the seat selection is not great. I always pay for a seat but even with that options are limited. Always book early.

[Anonymous]

I am Global Services so I can’t really relate, sorry.

[Anonymous]

I just booked a flight on United for August and was shocked that over half the plane was "preferred." Then you add in first and economy plus and you're left with the back couple rows. I also hate that United sells an unlimited amount of early boarding zones. The entire plane now boards in zone 2! Its just crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am Global Services so I can’t really relate, sorry.

LOL. Just rub it in. My husband has silver status, so I guess generally we get free preferred lol. Maybe the issue is me flying without him ha ha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just booked a flight on United for August and was shocked that over half the plane was "preferred." Then you add in first and economy plus and you're left with the back couple rows. I also hate that United sells an unlimited amount of early boarding zones. The entire plane now boards in zone 2! Its just crazy.

The Zone 2 thing is because that's your zone if you hold the credit card. Probably half the people who fly United out of Dulles have the credit card, I am sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean I booked 6 months out. The issue is not a lack of seats in general. Like I found seats together no issue! The issue is that the first 32 rows on the plane require an extra fee. I just feel like it used to be better, and it seems a little ridiculous that 2/3 of the seats on a plane require an extra cost.

But I also think preferred economy is crap. I mean you aren't even paying for more leg room. You are just paying to sit closer to the front of the plane. I just feel like the preferred economy seats have expanded lately.

Yes! I’m paying an arm and a leg for my family to sit together, and then they want to charge even more to sit toward the middle of the plane so I can get served before the decent snack selection runs out! I want my thimble sized chocolate quinoa puff!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean I booked 6 months out. The issue is not a lack of seats in general. Like I found seats together no issue! The issue is that the first 32 rows on the plane require an extra fee. I just feel like it used to be better, and it seems a little ridiculous that 2/3 of the seats on a plane require an extra cost.

But I also think preferred economy is crap. I mean you aren't even paying for more leg room. You are just paying to sit closer to the front of the plane. I just feel like the preferred economy seats have expanded lately.

Yes! I’m paying an arm and a leg for my family to sit together, and then they want to charge even more to sit toward the middle of the plane so I can get served before the decent snack selection runs out! I want my thimble sized chocolate quinoa puff!

lol. I remember when they used to serve Biscoff cookies. RIP Biscoff Cookie. Although my Gluten free husband appreciate that quinoa puff lol