United Economy Plus Guide: Is It Worth It?

If you’ve ever tried to book a United flight and felt lost looking at the many seat options, you’re not alone. United loves its lingo:

• Economy Plus — extra legroom and seats at the front of the economy cabin

• Premium Plus — United’s true premium economy cabin on select long-haul flights (with a semi-private area)

• First Class — standard domestic first class on most U.S. flights.

• Polaris — the airline’s flagship international business class with lie-flat seats, premium dining, and lounges.

For this guide, we’re focusing on Economy Plus, which is the step up from regular economy, offering more space and convenience without the Polaris-level prices.

What is United Economy Plus?

Economy Plus is simply standard economy with some extra perks. You’ll get three to six extra inches of legroom, a seat in the front half of the cabin, and a faster exit when the plane lands.

It’s not a full cabin upgrade like Premium Plus or Polaris, but it does make a noticeable difference, especially on longer flights. It’s available on all United mainline planes and most United Express flights.

The tradeoff is that everything else remains the same. Food, drinks, and service are identical to Main Cabin economy. So if you’re expecting free cocktails or upgraded meals, this isn’t that. It’s really about comfort and convenience.

Economy vs. Economy Plus vs. Premium Plus

Here’s how United’s three “economy-ish” options stack up side by side:

What You Actually Get

United offers an Economy Plus subscription starting at $599 plus tax for a single person, with higher prices if you want to add companions or get global access. There’s also a one-time fee when you first sign up (or if you let your subscription lapse and restart later).

While the subscription makes booking extra-legroom seats easier, the cost of the subscription itself does not earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). But, if you pay for Economy Plus seating on individual flights instead of subscribing, that spend does earn PQPs at the usual rate of 1 PQP per dollar (before taxes and fees).

If you’ve been moved out of Economy Plus because of a normal “service disruption,” United will issue at least a partial refund of what you paid for the upgrade. For subscriptions, that usually means a partial refund if you’re bumped into regular economy.

How to Book Economy Plus

When you’re booking a United flight, you’ll see Economy Plus seats highlighted on the seat map. You can pay for them directly at checkout, or if you’ve already booked your ticket, you can go back into “Manage Reservations” and choose an Economy Plus seat later.

United also lets you use MileagePlus miles to cover the cost, usually at about 1 cent per mile. It’s not the best redemption value out there, but it can make sense if you’re sitting on a pile of miles and just want the extra legroom.

If you’ve got Premier status, you may also get complimentary access to Economy Plus at booking or check-in, depending on your level. Higher elites clear first, and some tiers can even extend the perk to a travel companion.

Tips for Maximizing United Economy Plus

You don’t always need to pay more for the extra legroom. Here are a few ways to make the most of Economy Plus:

• Use Elite Status Wisely — If you have United Premier status, make sure to book Economy Plus as soon as you’re eligible. Gold members and above can lock in Economy Plus seats at booking, not just at check-in. If you’re traveling with family or friends, add them to your reservation so they can enjoy the benefit too.

• Consider an Annual Subscription — If you’re flying United all the time (and don’t have status), check out the Economy Plus subscription. Instead of paying segment by segment, you’ll have access to every flight in your subscription region for a flat yearly fee. It doesn’t usually earn PQPs like a one-off Economy Plus purchase, but it can still save some money if you fly often.

• Stack With the Right Credit Card — If you’re paying cash for Economy Plus, use a United co-branded card to earn extra MileagePlus miles. Some United cards even let you turn card spending into PQPs toward elite status.

• Check Upgrade Timing — Prices for Economy Plus can change as your flight gets closer. Sometimes it’s cheaper to upgrade right after booking, while other times waiting until check-in can get you a better deal. If you’re flexible, monitor your reservation and upgrade when the price dips.

• Leverage Refund Policies — If your seat is reassigned, your flight is canceled, or you’re moved to a cabin, United will generally refund the cost of your Economy Plus ticket. Subscription refunds may be prorated, but explicit policies aren’t detailed.

How to Get It for Free

Elite status with United MileagePlus gives you complimentary Economy Plus access (yay!). Premier Silver members can select Economy Plus seats for themselves and one companion at check-in (24 hours before departure), while Premier Gold members can do so at booking, and Premier Platinum and 1K members can choose seats for themselves and up to eight companions at booking.

If you travel with family or friends, having even one elite member on the reservation can mean the whole group enjoys Economy Plus at no extra cost, which could make you very, very popular. 😎

Best Credit Cards for United Flyers

If you fly United often (or want to book Economy Plus), the right card could give you free bags, lounge access, or just cheaper redemptions.

1. The New United℠ Explorer Card: Comes with a free first checked bag, 2x miles on United purchases (including tickets, inflight food, beverages, WiFi, and other United charges), and two United Club passes each year

2. The New United Club℠ Card: Includes a full United Club membership, free checked bags, tons of travel-related statement credits, and 4x miles on eligible United purchases

3. The New United Quest℠ Card: Gives you anniversary award credits, free bags, and PQP bumps each year from card spend (which is a huge help if you’re working toward Premier status)

4. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earns Ultimate Rewards points that transfer 1:1 to United MileagePlus, so you can top up your account (and it’s a great complement to a United co-branded card)

Bottom Line

On short domestic trips, paying extra for Economy Plus might not be worth it, unless you really want to guarantee overhead bin space or avoid being last off the plane.

But for longer flights, especially international routes, the added space can be worth a little extra moolah. It’s not business or first class, but it makes economy much sweeter. You can also get great value by subscribing to Economy Plus annually or using your elite status to secure upgrades.

If you’re looking for a small but meaningful comfort upgrade without splurging on Premium Plus or Polaris, Economy Plus is United’s sweet spot.