United Airlines Boarding Groups and How You Can Upgrade
There are a number of ways to bump yourself up in the order across United's boarding groups.
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United Airlines has seven boarding groups, and your group is determined by factors like elite status, what cabin you're flying in, where your seat is and even which credit card you hold.
Understanding when you board can help make the boarding process smoother and prepare you for any last-minute changes. For example, if you're in Group 5, you might need to mentally prepare yourself to check your carry-on item in case the overhead bins are full by the time you board.
Here's a look at United's boarding groups, how they’re determined and a few ways you can improve your chances of snagging an earlier boarding group.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
How many boarding groups does United have?
There are seven United Airlines boarding groups: Groups 1-6 as well as pre-boarding. While seven boarding groups may seem like a lot, United has one of the more streamlined boarding processes when compared with other major U.S.-based airlines — Alaska Airlines has eight boarding groups, Delta Air Lines has nine boarding groups and American Airlines has 10.
Below is a chart to help you quickly determine your United boarding group.
Group | United Premier elite members | Other passengers |
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Pre-boarding |
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Group 1 |
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Group 2 |
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Group 3 |
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Group 4 |
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Group 5 |
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Group 6 |
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If you’re flying in basic economy, you’ll board last in Group 6 unless you’re a United Premier elite member, a Star Alliance Gold member or hold a qualifying United credit card, in which case you’ll still receive priority boarding based on the groups above.
» Learn more: The complete guide to United MileagePlus
Pre-boarding
United Airlines’ pre-boarding group includes those who may need extra time to board, including customers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors and families traveling with children 2 years old and younger, as well as active members of the military.
Additionally, if you hold United Global Services or Premier 1K status, you can pre-board.
Group 1
After pre-boarding, United boards Group 1, which includes those with United Premier Platinum and Gold status, passengers with Star Alliance Gold status and customers seated in the United Polaris, first and business class cabins.
Group 2 (includes United priority boarding)
Group 2 on United boards after pre-boarding and Group 1. This group includes passengers who hold United Premier Silver or Star Alliance Silver status, those who’ve purchased Premier Access or priority boarding, and eligible United credit cardholders.
If you're flying in Premium Plus, United's premium economy product, you'll also board with Group 2.
If you don’t have elite status or otherwise qualify for priority boarding, getting a United credit card with Group 2 boarding privileges can ensure you get to board early.
This can be particularly helpful if you’re traveling with carry-on luggage only and want to secure overhead bin space.
Groups 3-5
Then, United boards Groups 3-5, which includes passengers with standard economy or Economy Plus tickets.
At this point, United uses a boarding order determined by whether you're sitting in a window, middle or aisle seat.
Passengers seated by the window or in the exit row will board with Group 3. Middle-seat passengers will board with Group 4, and those seated by the aisle will board with Group 5.
Group 6
If you're booked in basic economy, you'll board last with Group 6, which also includes passengers without a boarding group listed on their boarding pass. However, basic economy passengers can board in an earlier group if they qualify through other means such as holding elite status or an eligible United credit card.
Basic economy passengers in Group 6 cannot bring a carry-on onboard; they're only permitted one personal item. However, if you are flying in basic economy but have an earlier boarding group on your ticket, the no carry-on restriction is waived.
» Learn more: United Economy Plus vs. economy vs. basic economy
How are United Airlines boarding groups assigned?
United passengers are put in the highest group for which they qualify. This means that if you book an economy ticket (normally Group 3-5) but are a United Premier Gold member (Group 1), you’ll board in Group 1.
If your United boarding pass doesn't show the highest boarding group that you qualify for, you should bring this to the attention of a gate or check-in agent prior to boarding. They may be able to update your boarding pass to the correct group.
How to get priority boarding on United
There are a number of ways to get United priority boarding but some ways will cost you more than others.
Travel in a premium cabin
If you're flying in a United premium cabin — such as Polaris, first or business class — you'll always board with Group 1.
Premium economy passengers will board with Group 2.
» Learn more: The guide to United Polaris business class
Hold United or Star Alliance elite status
You can secure priority boarding by holding United Premier or Star Alliance elite status.
United Global Services and Premier 1K members board in the pre-boarding group, while United Platinum, United Gold and Star Alliance Gold members board with Group 1. This is followed by United and Star Alliance Silver members who board with Group 2.
Although United and Star Alliance Silver members usually board with Group 2, if you’re in this group and receive an upgrade to a premium cabin, you’ll get to board with Group 1.
Carry an eligible United credit card
The following United credit cards include priority boarding as a benefit:
The only United credit card that doesn't come with priority boarding is the The New United Gateway℠ Card. Having a United credit card with priority boarding entitles you to board with Group 2.
» Learn more: Great ways to earn United MileagePlus Miles
Pay for priority boarding
If none of the above options work for you, United allows you to pay for priority boarding on certain flights — prices start at $15 per flight segment. If you pay for priority boarding, you’ll board with Group 2.
(Top photo courtesy of United Airlines)
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