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Preferred seating

Get a better economy seat.

What is preferred seating?

Buying preferred seating

What is 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.

Benefits

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

Buying preferred seating

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

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.
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.
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.
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
Yes, you will be refunded after your departure.
You must send a request within 90 days of your flight or buying preferred seating.
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.
Premier members traveling on Basic Economy tickets will be required to purchase preferred seating and will not receive preferred seating benefits at no charge.
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.

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.