united airlines basic economy seat assignment

United basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more

Editor's Note

You've likely arrived at this guide while deciding whether to book a United Airlines basic economy fare or after booking a United basic economy fare. In either case, you may wonder what this fare allows and how your experience may differ from any previous trips with United. Let's dive in and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about United basic economy.

What is United Airlines basic economy?

United has three types of economy fares: basic economy, United Economy and Economy Plus. United basic economy will usually offer the lowest fare. However, travelers flying in United basic economy usually face restrictions on seat assignment, boarding, carry-on baggage, upgrades, changes, refunds, elite earnings and elite benefits.

United waives some basic economy restrictions for Star Alliance elite members and cardholders of cobranded United credit cards . Throughout this guide, we'll discuss the regulations for travelers without elite status or a United credit card. If you do have elite status or a United credit card, check out the relevant sections near the end of this guide.

Related: 4 things I think about when booking basic economy

United basic economy baggage policies

If you're flying on a United basic economy ticket, know that your fare usually won't include a carry-on bag or checked luggage. However, you can bring a personal item (such as a shoulder bag, backpack or laptop bag) that is no larger than 17 inches by 10 inches by 9 inches and fits under the seat in front of you. If you bring a larger carry-on item to the gate that won't fit under the seat in front of you, you'll usually need to pay a $65 fee to gate-check it.

However, United includes a 22-inch by 14-inch by 9-inch carry-on bag on its basic economy tickets to Canada, South America, across the Atlantic and on international flights across the Pacific. You can even check a bag without cost if you fly United basic economy on an international flight across the Pacific that isn't to China or Tahiti.

You can use the United baggage calculator to determine the cost of checking bags on a United basic economy itinerary. If you're not checking a bag, you'll need to check in at the airport so a United agent can ensure your personal item is small enough before issuing you a boarding pass.

Related: United Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

United basic economy seat selection

You usually can't select a seat for free when flying on a United basic economy ticket. However, you can buy a seat assignment during booking or until check-in opens for your flight.

If you don't opt to purchase a seat assignment, United will assign you a seat for free before boarding. "If you're traveling with a child under 12, we have new tools that make it easier for them to sit next to a family member for free," according to United's website. So, one adult should be able to sit with each child under 12, but the rest of your group will likely be separated if you don't buy seat assignments for your entire group in advance.

You can book United basic economy tickets for unaccompanied minors . In this case, you can call United after you book the ticket and pay the unaccompanied minor fee to request a seat assignment for the unaccompanied minor. Likewise, if you have a disability that requires you to sit in a specific type of seat, call to notify United at least 24 hours before your scheduled basic economy flight.

Related: Cool new United feature notifies you if your preferred seat becomes available

When can United basic economy passengers board?

United basic economy passengers usually board in Group 6 unless an exception applies.

As we'll discuss in subsequent sections, exceptions apply for select United cardmembers, travelers with United elite status and travelers with Star Alliance Gold or Silver status. Likewise, travelers with disabilities or who need additional assistance can preboard even when flying on a United basic economy ticket.

Related: Which airline credit cards offer the best priority boarding perks?

Changing a United basic economy flight

You can not change a United Airlines basic economy ticket; this includes same-day changes.

However, if your United basic economy itinerary experiences an involuntary schedule change of more than 30 minutes, you can request another United or United Express flight departing from the same airport within 24 hours of your original flight time.

Otherwise, you can upgrade your basic economy ticket to economy or a premium cabin and then change your flight.

Related: What to do when an airline changes your flight

Canceling a United basic economy flight

You can cancel your United basic economy ticket and get a refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking and at least one week before your scheduled departure. Otherwise, you can cancel your trip and get a partial travel credit. The amount of the partial credit will depend on your specific trip but will be displayed before you finalize the cancellation.

However, if United changes the schedule and this significantly alters your departure or arrival time, you can cancel your trip and request a refund.

Related: Why you should wait to change or cancel your flight if you want your money back

Mileage earning in United basic economy

United MileagePlus members will earn United miles and Premier qualifying points when flying on a basic economy fare, but they won't earn any Premier qualifying flights. MileagePlus members will earn lifetime miles toward United Million Miler status and the four-segment minimum required for United status.

Related: United elite status is slipping further out of my reach — here's what I'm doing as a result

United credit card perks in basic economy

If you have a United credit card , you may escape some of the worst parts of flying United basic economy, because your credit card benefits still apply on United- and United Express-operated flights — even if you're flying on a basic economy fare.

For example, you and up to one companion on the same reservation get a first standard checked bag free on United- and United Express-operated flights if you are a primary United℠ Explorer Card member, you use your card to purchase tickets and you include your MileagePlus number in your reservation.

Likewise, United Explorer cardmembers and companions traveling on the same reservation can board during Group 2 priority boarding for United- and United Express-operated flights — as long as the primary cardmember includes their MileagePlus number in their reservation.

With select United credit cards — such as the United Explorer Card , United℠ Business Card , United Quest℠ Card or the United Club℠ Infinite Card — you can still enjoy the following perks when flying in basic economy on United- and United Express-operated flights:

• One carry-on bag no larger than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches for you and each of your companions traveling on the same reservation
• Group 2 priority boarding for you and your companions traveling on the same reservation
• First checked bag free for you and one companion traveling on the same reservation (You must book the tickets using your United credit card; the United Quest Card and United Club Infinite Card offer a first and second checked bag free.)

However, upgrades you might be eligible for as a perk of select United credit cards (such as the United Quest Card and the United Club Infinite Card) aren't available on tickets containing basic economy fares.

Related: How to use credit cards to defeat basic economy

Elite status perks in United basic economy

United Premier members and Star Alliance Gold members can avoid some negative aspects of basic economy fares as a benefit of their status. Particularly, United Premier members and Star Alliance Gold members get the following benefits even when flying in basic economy on United- and United Express-operated flights:

• Your normal checked baggage allowance
• Your normal boarding group for you and your companions traveling on the same reservation

Elite members won't get many other standard benefits, including complimentary Economy Plus seating, complimentary upgrades, paid upgrades, mileage upgrades and PlusPoints upgrades . However, you can pay to add United Economy benefits to your basic economy ticket if you want access to your standard benefits.

Related: How to unlock additional award availability with United Airlines

Upgrading a United basic economy ticket

As mentioned a few times throughout this guide, you can pay to add United Economy benefits to most basic economy tickets (excluding award tickets). By doing so, you get access to the following additional benefits on United and United Express flights:

• Bring a carry-on bag no larger than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches.
• Select an Economy seat before check-in. (You can change your seat multiple times after selecting it; you can also opt to purchase an Economy Plus or premium cabin seat.)
• Change or cancel your flight without paying a change fee (you'll be required to pay the difference if you change to a flight with a higher fare).

If your reservation includes multiple travelers, each traveler on the reservation must add United Economy benefits.

As a United Premier member, you will become eligible for standard Premier status benefits on United and United Express flights if you pay to add United Economy benefits to a basic economy ticket. However, you'll earn Premier qualifying points on the original basic economy fare, and you won't earn any Premier qualifying points for the service charge to add United Economy benefits.

Related: Travel gear and packing tips to help you avoid rising checked bag fees

Bottom line

United basic economy fares are restrictive. Many routes don't allow passengers to carry on more than a small personal item. But United basic economy is better with elite status or an eligible United Airlines credit card .

Most eligible United credit cards allow new cardmembers to pay with a different card for flights completed during the 90 days following the account open date. Say you have an upcoming United basic economy flight operated by United or United Express and would get value from one or two complimentary checked bags for you and a companion on your same reservation. In that case, you may want to sign up for a United credit card that offers the perks you need.

The priority boarding benefit offered by most eligible United credit cards won't go into effect until two weeks after account opening. So if you have a flight within the next two weeks, you likely won't be able to enjoy priority boarding and a carry-on. But in the longer term, the perks on eligible United cards can easily outweigh the fees — even if you only use them to book United basic economy fares a few times each year.

Simple Flying

United airlines basic economy: 5 things to be aware of when booking.

• Strict carry-on rules: Carry-ons are not included, except for international flights.
• Random seat allocation: Seats are assigned randomly.
• Board last: Basic Economy customers typically board in Group 6.

United Airlines offers three primary seating classes, each divided into two subclasses. United's Basic Economy class represents the airline's most economical ticket booking option. While the cheapest among all classes, the carrier's Basic Economy ticket can end up costing more if passengers are unaware of certain charges. This article discusses essential considerations to be aware of.

1 Strict carry-on rules

Carry-on bags are not included unless you're flying internationally.

Dimensions of carry-on items allowed with the basic economy fare:

United's Basic Economy fare is known for its strict rules. When traveling with this ticket type, passengers can travel with one personal item. United's website states that a personal item can be a shoulder bag, backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Extra items must be checked at the ticket counters. Bringing them to the gate incurs a $25 gate service fee per item and the applicable checked bag fee.

Meanwhile, typical carry-on bags are not complimentary in Basic Economy unless you fly to international destinations such as Canada, South America, across the pond, or over the Pacific.

Regarding checked baggage, Basic Economy passengers only receive a free checked baggage allowance when flying internationally across the Pacific. Checked baggage fees vary based on itinerary. You can calculate the costs for your flight on the airline's website. .

2 Random seat allocation

Seats can only be upgraded at the check-in counter.

With a Basic Economy fare, United passengers can expect seats with standard legroom and space. The one disadvantage is that the carrier will always assign a random seat to the passenger automatically before boarding. It is worth noting that United's Basic Economy fare seats are typically located at the back of the aircraft or in the middle of the plane, and the in-seat power is not always available.

According to ch-aviation , United's Basic Economy and Economy seats are 6 inches abreast with a pitch of 30 inches on its typical Boeing 737-800 aircraft fleet. This is less compared to seats in the airline's Economy Plus and Economy Comfort. Meanwhile, its Airbus A320-200s have the exact seat dimensions in Basic Economy and Economy class. Below, find the table showcasing United's narrowbody aircraft seat dimensions.

United Economy Vs Basic Economy: What You Need To Know

By flying United Airlines basic economy, passengers can save some money at the expense of not being able to choose their seat or bring a carry-on.

United's website states that travelers on the same reservation, including families with children under 12, may not be able to sit together unless:

"If you're traveling with a child under 12, we have new tools that make it easier for them to sit next to a family member for free. Otherwise, we can't guarantee your family or group will all sit together, so consider buying a seat assignment in advance."

3 Board last

Basic economy passengers board in group 6.

Boarding a plane first offers several advantages, including securing overhead cabin space near your assigned seat and the opportunity to disembark earlier, saving time. However, it's not surprising that United Airlines ' most economical fare doesn't provide this perk. Travelers with a Basic Economy ticket will typically board in the final boarding group, often in Group 6.

However, there are certain exceptions. This exception applies to:

• Passengers with disabilities or all who need assistance
• MileagePlus Premier members
• Companions on the same reservation
• Primary cardholders of eligible MileagePlus credit cards
• Star Alliance Gold members

4 No online check-in

In most cases, passengers can only check-in at the airport.

How to check in for a flight:

• Arrive at the check-in desk or kiosk at the airport's departure terminal.
• Bring your checked luggage to the airport to confirm weight and size.
• Ensure your personal item meets airport requirements if traveling with only one item.

There are certain things to know about the check-in process when booking Basic Economy with United. Online check-in is restricted to passengers who are either checking a bag or flying on a transoceanic route. However, upon online check-in, proceed to a check-in counter or designated kiosk in the airport lobby to drop off your bags.

If not checking a bag or flying over an ocean, checking in must be completed at the airport to confirm the size of personal items and ensure the absence of additional personal items if not eligible.

5 Perks for elite status

Basic economy still offers perks for elite status holders.

United MileagePlus Premier benefits for Basic Economy travelers:

• Priority boarding
• Free checked bag
• Free carry-on bag

Carrying one of United's co-branded credit cards waives certain restrictions associated with United's Basic Economy fares. This includes priority boarding and free checked bag allowances, according to a report by Nerd Wallet .

If you already possess one of these cards, ensure to include your MileagePlus number in your United Basic Economy reservation to access the priority boarding benefit. Your ticket must be purchased with an eligible credit card to use these advantages. In addition, United MileagePlus Premier members receive similar benefits in Basic Economy. The number of free checked bags varies according to the Premier status level.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever flown with United's Basic Economy fare? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section below.

• North America

United Basic Economy: How To Use Credit Cards and Elite Status for a Better Experience

Flyers with United elite status or a United credit card can get perks that make flying basic economy a little more pleasant.

This article was subjected to a comprehensive fact-checking process. Our professional fact-checkers verify article information against primary sources, reputable publishers, and experts in the field.

United’s basic economy fare will save you money, yes. But the lower ticket price means you’re subject to more restrictions around upgrades, baggage allowances, and seating.

That may not sound so bad if you’re just taking a quick flight to the next state over, but for longer routes, foregoing conveniences and amenities may significantly impact your travel experience.

The good news is that there are a few ways you can soften the basic economy experience without having to shell out for a higher fare class. First, you might need to get a United credit card or earn United elite status.

What is Basic Economy on United?

United's basic economy ticket isn’t all bad. You, of course, get a lower-priced fare compared to other economy options, but you’ll also receive many of the same amenities and services like inflight entertainment, snacks, and beverages.

But what you choose to go without includes potentially vital perks like a free carry-on, optimal MileagePlus earn rates, and the ability to change or get a refund on your flight.

United Basic Economy baggage allowance

Baggage rules for transatlantic flights are the same as standard economy tickets — you’re allowed one full-sized carry-on bag (9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches), plus a personal item at no additional cost. However, you won’t be allowed to bring a full-sized carry-on bag for all other flight routes.

You can bring a small personal item (no larger than 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches) that will fit under your seat — think a purse, laptop bag, or shoulder bag. Anything larger counts as a carry-on and must be checked. If checked before you go through airport security, such items will be charged a checked bag fee (typically $35 for the first bag).

Good to know

Baggage fees.

• The fees for checked bags on basic economy flights within the U.S. are the same as those for standard economy. If you prepay, your first checked bag costs $35, and your second costs $45.
• Standard economy on transatlantic flights includes one free checked bag, but basic economy charges $75 for the first. The second costs $100 in either class.
• Basic economy passengers flying to international destinations across the Pacific (i.e., not Hawaii) won’t be charged for their first checked bag, but a second costs $100.

United Basic Economy seats

There’s perhaps no more timeless debate than which seat on an airplane is best. Window? Aisle? Closer to the front? Exit row?

When booking a basic economy fare on United, you give up the ability to choose, and your seat will be automatically assigned without the option to change it.

Thankfully, if that’s the only thing keeping you from a basic economy ticket, you can purchase seat assignments for an extra fee and choose where you’d like to sit. You can even upgrade all the way to an Economy Plus seat, which comes with extra legroom.

United Basic Economy cancellations and changes

Once booked, you won’t be able to make any changes to your basic economy flight with United, including same-day or advanced changes. You also won’t be eligible for refunds unless they fall within the rules of United’s 24-hour flexible booking policy, which states that you may qualify for a refund if you cancel within 24 hours of your purchase, as long as your original departure flight is a week or more in advance.

If there’s even a slight chance you might not be able to take your flight as planned, this could be a major deterrent from flying in basic economy. You stand to lose quite a bit of money depending on the cost of your ticket.

However, canceling outside the 24-hour flexible booking window could get you a partial travel credit, but you’ll have to use it on flights booked through United or non-ticket items like seat upgrades .

MileagePlus award miles and elite status credits

If you’re a United MileagePlus member, you can earn award miles for your basic economy ticket. And while you’ll also earn full Premier qualifying points (PQP) toward elite status, you won’t earn any Premier qualifying flights (PQF). United MileagePlus Premier status requires a combination of PQPs and PQFs.

How to make Basic Economy more convenient

1. become a mileageplus premier member.

United MileagePlus members with Premier status can get one carry-on bag free when flying basic economy, canceling out one of the main downsides of these discounted fares. This benefit also extends to those traveling with eligible Premier status holders.

There are four MileagePlus Premier tiers that, as noted, require you to earn a certain number of PQFs and PQPs in a calendar year to qualify:

• Premier Silver: Complete 12 PQFs and earn 4,000 PQPs or earn 5,000 PQPs
• Premier Gold: Complete 24 PQFs and earn 8,000 PQPs or earn 10,000 PQPs
• Premier Platinum: Complete 36 PQFs and earn 12,000 PQPs or earn 15,000 PQPs
• Premier 1K: Complete 54 PQFs and earn 18,000 PQPs or earn 24,000 PQPs

You also need to fly at least four paid flights or flight segments operated by United or United Express for all these tiers.

If all that sounds like a lot of work, it is. You earn one PQP for every U.S. dollar spent on United flights, including base fare and carrier surcharges. You can also earn PQPs on partner award flights at one PQP for every five award miles redeemed on some “preferred” partners and one PQP for every six on others. PQP earnings on partner flights are capped by fare class.

You can earn one PQF for every flight on United, United Express, or a United partner airline. That means that, at minimum , you’ll need to fly with United or one of its partners 12 times within a year (or earn the extra PQPs required) to reach even the lowest status tier. Unless, that is, you have a United Airlines co-branded credit card.

2. Get a United Airlines credit card

Holding a United credit card comes with a lot of benefits for the frequent United passenger. Not only can you reach elite status more easily by earning PQPs on everyday spending, but you can also circumvent the whole status process and get around the carry-on restriction, boarding order, and fees on checked bags.

Eligible United cardholders can get one free carry-on bag when flying Basic Economy. That’s great on its own, but some United cards also come with free checked bags for cardholders and their companions. That means your basic economy traveling companion’s prohibited carry-on can become a checked bag at no cost.

So you’ve got your carry-on. Great. Now you have to worry about if there’ll be room left in the overhead bins. After all, basic economy boards last, with Group 6. But if you’re holding the right United card, you could also get free priority boarding as a benefit.

3. Become a Star Alliance Gold member

Like MileagePlus Premier members and certain United cardholders, Star Alliance Gold members can also bring a carry-on bag and get priority boarding when flying basic economy with United.

You earn Star Alliance Gold status by reaching certain elite status tiers with alliance airlines. For example, you get Star Alliance Gold status when you’re a MileagePlus Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, or Premier Gold elite member with United.

This isn’t all that consequential to MileagePlus Premier elites looking for an improved basic economy experience, since they’ll already get those perks through their status. But if you’ve got elite status with another airline in the Star Alliance network, you might already have Star Alliance Gold and can then enjoy a less restrictive basic economy flight on United. For specifics, check the Star Alliance website .

What is the difference between Basic Economy and Economy on United?

When flying United, you’ll receive the same in-flight service whether you choose a Basic Economy or a regular Economy fare. The difference, however, is that Basic Economy travelers will be subject to certain restrictions.

These include no advanced seat selection (without a fee) and no full-size carry-ons. Basic Economy travelers are also the last group to board, can’t make flight changes or get refunds (outside United’s 24-hour flexible booking policy), and do not earn Premier qualifying flights on their fares.

How much is seat selection on United Basic Economy?

To choose your seat yourself when booking a basic economy fare rather than having United assign you a seat automatically, you’ll need to pay a seat selection fee of $15 per flight per passenger.

Can United Basic Economy tickets be upgraded?

Yes, customers traveling on a United Basic Economy ticket can upgrade to Economy Plus — which includes extra legroom and a seat close to the front of the cabin — but you can only do this at check-in.

Bottom line

Although United Airlines Basic Economy fares have fewer perks than other fare classes, there are ways to eke out a more comfortable flying experience. If you have elite status or book a flight using a co-branded United Airlines credit card , you can get perks like carry-on bags and priority boarding.

Keep in mind that some Basic Economy rules will still apply, even if you qualify for one of the workarounds we cover here. For example, you likely won’t be able to change your reservation once you’re outside United’s 24-hour flexible booking window. For some peace of mind there, consider travel insurance .

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United Airlines Seat Selection: What You Need to Know

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Table of Contents

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:

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.

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

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $120 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 $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

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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.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

United℠ Explorer Card

Get valuable perks like free checked bag, lounge passes and rental car insurance for a fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Limited time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

UponArriving

How Much It Costs to Choose Your Seats on Each Airline

How much does it cost to select your seat on a major US airline?

Like many things involving airlines, it’s not always super straightforward when it comes to how much things will cost.

But in this article we hope to clear up some confusion!

We will give you a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay when selecting a seat for different classes such as basic economy, economy, economy plus, and also premium cabins.

We analyzed data points for both domestic and international flights since the prices can vary quite a lot and we will break everything down for you so that it is easy to digest.

Table of Contents

When can you choose (and pay for) your seats?

When you first begin to search or book a flight, the airline may allow you to view the seat chart to get a sense of what seats are available.

However, you typically cannot view the price for selecting your seat until after you have chosen your fare class and input your personal details. (This can make “shopping” around for cheaper seat prices a bit time consuming so it is best to login to the airline so that you don’t have to re-enter your details every time.)

Note that if you are booking through a third-party such as Amex Travel or another travel portal, be careful about the seat selection displayed because it does not always line up with what is actually available.

Also, sometimes when using an online travel agency, you may not be able to select upgraded seats when booking.

Instead, you will have to wait until that flight populates in your frequent flyer account and then contact the airline or initiate the process online via the airline’s website.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

What prices to expect when choosing a seat

Business/first class.

Business and First Class seats are found in the top cabin in the front of the plane. On domestic flights you typically have a standard recliner seat with a lot more width and legroom. You’ll receive free food and drinks, priority boarding, and other perks.

On longer flights, you might be able to enjoy a fully reclined seat known as a lie-flat seat.

Every major US airline allows you to select your seats for free whenever you purchase a business or first class ticket.

Premium Economy

Premium Economy is a special class just behind Business Class that offers you a wider seat with better recline and more legroom than economy. Sometimes you also have a nice little foot rest. You also may get additional perks like free drinks.

Premium Economy is usually only found on long-haul international flights — your average domestic flight will not likely include a Premium Economy cabin.

Every major US airlines should allow you to select your premium economy seats for free.

Note that some online platforms equate Premium Economy with Economy Plus but this is a mistake and should be avoided because it causes confusion.

Economy Plus (extra legroom)

Economy Plus seats are standard economy seats that come with extra legroom. These could be located near the emergency exit rows but they could also be placed in rows closer to the front of the Economy cabin.

The amount of extra legroom offered is different based on the airline and where exactly the seat is located but you could be given several inches of extra legroom which makes these seats very desirable. This is especially true for people over 6 feet tall.

Sometimes you will be given extra perks when selecting an Economy Plus seat such as free drinks, priority boarding , dedicated overhead storage bin space, etc.

To get the seats you typically will select Economy as your fare and then simply select to pay more for an Economy Plus seat. However, some airlines such as Delta treat economy plus like its own fare with Delta Comfort Plus.

If you are purchasing Economy Plus on a domestic flight you’re looking at spending around $30 to $50 typically.

But on an international flight such as a transatlantic or transpacific flight, selecting Economy Plus could cost you a couple of hundred dollars.

If you have elite status, even if it is a lower tier, you may be able to receive an upgrade to Economy Plus on a pretty regular basis.

Preferred Seats

Preferred Seats are economy seats located in more desirable parts of the plane such as toward the front of the plane, in rows of two, etc. They also may include window and aisle seats.

Typically, to choose a seat like this you don’t have to pay that much extra and elite members may be able to select these for free. (Elite members may also be able to see free seats available that other non-elites cannot even see as available.)

For a domestic flight, choosing a Preferred Seat could be as cheap as around $13 but for longer international flights you could be paying closer to $50.

You can expect to have to pay a little bit more for window or aisle seats versus the middle seats if they are all considered Preferred Seats.

Keep in mind that not every airline offers Preferred Seats . Or put another way, not every airline forces you to pay extra for seats that don’t suck.

Unless you have booked with an ultra low-cost carrier, you should be able to select certain economy seats free of charge. These will typically be located in the back half or back third of the plane.

If you are flying with an ultra low-cost carrier like Frontier or Spirit and you want to select your seat, you can expect to pay about $25 per seat selection (though that will depend on the route).

Basic Economy

A Basic Economy seat will be the same as a standard economy seat but when you book this fare you will lose the privilege to select your seat for free (among other lost benefits).

Sometimes you can still pay an extra fee to select a seat but other times you will have to pay to simply upgrade to an economy fare in order to select a seat. You can expect this upgrade fee to the range from about $15 to $70.

Airlines seat prices broken down

Alaska airlines.

Alaska Airlines offers something called “Premium Class” which is kind of a cross between Premium Economy and Economy Plus.

It is similar to Premium Economy because it has its own dedicated cabin area right behind Business Class but the seats resemble something you would find in Economy Plus.

They give you 4 inches more legroom than standard Main Cabin seats and allow you enjoy free beer, wine, and cocktails on flights over 350 miles. You also get early boarding privileges.

If you want to select your seat in Basic Economy they offer you the option to upgrade for around $20-$30.

Business/First Class

• Domestic (SFO – ANC): Free
• Mexico (LAX – GDL): Free
• Canada (SEA – YEG): Free

Premium Economy/Economy Plus (Premium Class)

• Domestic (SFO – ANC): $54
• Mexico (LAX – GDL): $34
• Canada (SEA – YEG): $36

Economy (Main)

• Domestic (SFO – ANC): $15 upgrade fee
• Mexico (LAX – GDL): $30 upgrade fee
• Canada (SEA – YEG): $20 upgrade fee

American Airlines

American Airlines allows you to select Main Cabin Extra seats which will provide you with extra legroom (up to 6 inches), preferred boarding with earlier overhead bin access, and even complimentary beer, wine and spirits.

They also offer a special product called “Main Plus,” which has its own fare basis and includes Main Cabin Extra seats  (if available) along with other perks like 1 more free checked bag.

Interestingly, the price to upgrade to Main Plus was sometimes more and sometimes less than the price to select a Main Cabin Extra seat.

• Domestic (ORD – MIA): Free
• Europe (JFK – LHR): Free
• Asia (DFW – NRT): Free

Economy Plus (Main Cabin Extra)

• Domestic (ORD – MIA): $27 – $30 *upgrade from Main Cabin to Main Plus $42
• Europe (JFK – LHR): $93 – $103 *upgrade from Main Cabin to Main Plus $90
• Asia (DFW – NRT): $129 – $166 *upgrade from Main Cabin to Main Plus $125

Related: American Airlines Main Cabin Extra 737-800 Review

Preferred seats

• Domestic (ORD – MIA): $14 – $17
• Europe (JFK – LHR): $62 – $69
• Asia (DFW – NRT): $86 – $93

Economy (Main Cabin)

Related: American Airlines Basic Economy vs Main Cabin (Key Differences)

Delta Airlines

Delta does their Economy Plus a little bit different because it treats it like its own fare called “Delta Comfort Plus.”

So instead of selecting Economy and then choosing to pay for a seat with extra legroom you simply select Comfort Plus as your chosen fare. This means the seat selection is technically free but you are paying more for the ticket.

Some of the perks you will enjoy include more legroom (up to 3 inches), dedicated overhead bin space, complimentary beer, wine, and snacks.

Some of the prices we found for Preferred Seats were a bit on the high side but that could’ve just been the routes we chose. Also, Delta allows you to upgrade from Basic Economy to Main Cabin if you want to select your seat.

Business/First Class (Delta One)

• Domestic (ATL – PDX): Free
• Europe (BOS – LIS): Free
• Asia (DTW – ICN): Free

Premium Economy (Premium Select)

Economy plus (delta comfort plus).

• Domestic (ATL – PDX): $79.99 – $149.99
• Europe (BOS – LIS): $44.99 – $59.99
• Asia (DTW – ICN): $24.99 – $38.99
• Domestic (ATL – PDX): $30 upgrade fee
• Europe (BOS – LIS): $75 upgrade fee
• Asia (DTW – ICN): $40 upgrade fee

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines does not offer First Class or Business Class seats nor do they offer Premium Economy.

However, at the front of the plane and in the emergency exit rows they do have what they consider Economy Plus seats that offer recline and more legroom that can be up to 7 extra inches. You can expect to pay about $35 for these.

Otherwise, if you want to select a standard seat expect to pay around $20-$30.

Economy Plus (Stretch)

• Domestic (MCI – LAS): $35
• Mexico (DEN – PVR): $35

Economy (Standard)

• Domestic (MCI – LAS): $18 – $28
• Mexico (DEN – PVR): $18 – $28

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines offers an Economy Plus called Extra Comfort that provides more legroom (5 inches or more), priority boarding, priority screening (at select airports), and in-seat A/C power plugs.

For a domestic route Extra Comfort may only cost you about $60 but for international routes you may be paying closer to $125 to $150.

On certain flights, you can also upgrade from Basic Economy.

• Domestic (OGG – SAN): Free
• Asia (HNL – HND): Free

Economy Plus (Extra Comfort)

• Domestic (OGG – SAN): $54 – $64
• Asia (HNL – HND): $111 – $141
• Domestic (OGG – SAN): $19 – $23
• Domestic (OGG – SAN): $40 upgrade fee

If you book a JetBlue Mint seat you can select your seat for free.

JetBlue calls their version of Economy Plus “Even More Space” and it provides more legroom (up to 7 inches), group A boarding , and expedited security lanes (where available). For domestic flights, these may run you about $30 but you can be paying in the triple digits for international flights.

It doesn’t look like they provide Preferred Seats but you can upgrade from Basic Economy in order to select a seat, sometimes for as cheap as $7.

Business/First Class (Mint)

• Mexico (LAX – CUN): Free

Economy Plus (Even More Space)

• Domestic (FLL – DCA): $29 – $37
• Europe (JFK – LHR): $129 – $149
• Mexico (LAX – CUN): $82 – $94

Economy (Core)

• Domestic (FLL – DCA): Free
• Domestic (FLL – DCA): $7 – $61
• Europe (JFK – LHR): $10 – $179
• Mexico (LAX – CUN): $9 – $114

Southwest Airlines

When you fly Southwest, you do not get to select your seat ahead of time, such as at the time of booking.

Instead, at check-in you will be issued a boarding position and that boarding position will dictate when you get to step on the plane. Once you’re in the cabin, you’ll be able to select any seat that is open so it is essentially a first come, first serve process.

Purchasing Business Select  is a nice way to increase your odds of securing one of the  best seats on the plane .

Business Select is the most expensive fare offered by Southwest and it provides you with a number of benefits including:

• Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding
• Fly By lane access
• Free premium drink
• 12 Rapid Rewards per dollar spent
• Fully refundable fare

Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding means that you will be among the first to board the plane and so you will be able to choose from a large selection of seats.

If you do not purchase a Business Select fare you can also upgrade to it. You won’t receive all of the Business Select perks but you will get the guaranteed A1-A15 boarding.

The cost to upgrade to Business Select varies from  $30 to $50 per segment , depending on the route. You should be able to upgrade at the check-in counter or at the gate of departure.

You can also purchase Southwest EarlyBird for $15 to $25 (one-way) which automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure.

EarlyBird will help you get a window or aisle seat but generally will not get you a boarding pass low enough to secure one of the best seats mentioned above.

Tip:  Some Southwest credit cards now come with two credits for EarlyBird.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines does not have a true first class in the sense of it being a special fare with its own cabin.

But they do have a couple of rows upfront with significantly more space similar to what a first class seat offers. These are known as the “Big Front Seats” and you can select the seats by paying around $60-$130 depending on the route.

They also have premium seats which could run you around $40-$50 and the seats will offer you up to 10 inches of extra legroom. Typically, these premium seats will be located in the emergency exit row.

Business/First Class (Big Front Seat)

• Domestic (ATL – MSP): $60
• Mexico (DFW – CUN): $128

Economy Plus (Premium)

• Domestic (ATL – MSP): $50
• Mexico (DFW – CUN): $42
• Domestic (ATL – MSP): $18 – $42
• Mexico (DFW – CUN): $9 – $26

United Airlines

United Airlines has one of the most straightforward seat selection processes.

Premium cabins are free to select seats, and the prices to select an Economy Plus seat or a Preferred Seat are within the normal range. You can also pay to select seats if you have a Basic Economy ticket.

• Domestic (IAD – IND): Free
• Europe (EWR – CDG): Free
• Asia (IAH – NRT): Free

Economy Plus

• Domestic (IAD – IND): $45 – $54
• Europe (EWR – CDG): $154 – $209
• Asia (IAH – NRT): $205 – $267
• Domestic (IAD – IND): $13 – $23
• Europe (EWR – CDG): $33 – $43
• Asia (IAH – NRT): $33 – $43
• Domestic (IAD – IND): $13 – $38
• Europe (EWR – CDG): $27 – $77

As you can tell, selecting your seat can involve paying a lot of different prices.

When selecting seats for premium cabins such as First Class, Business Class or Premium Economy, generally you can select your seat free of charge.

If you just want a standard economy seat towards the back of the plane you can choose that for free but if you want to get closer to the front you may have to pay, especially if you want an aisle or window seat.

And if you want that extra legroom you’ll definitely have to pay and that amount can differ a lot based on whether you were flying a short domestic flight or long international flight.

And finally, if you choose a Basic Economy flight you will lose your ability to select a seat free of charge but you may still have the option to upgrade or pay a fee for your seat selection.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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