United Premium Plus vs. Economy Plus: Does It Make a Difference?
Premium Plus flyers get an extra inch of legroom more than Economy Plus. Both get two free checked bags.
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United Airlines' premium economy option, Premium Plus, offers a significantly better experience than Economy Plus, which in turn offers more comfort than standard economy.
Though these Premium Plus and Economy Plus passengers fly in the same general section, they offer different levels of legroom and amenities on United and United Express flights.
Legroom: United Premium Plus seats, located at the front of the economy cabin, feature up to 7 extra inches of legroom over a standard economy seat, while the Economy Plus seat offers travelers 3 inches of extra legroom. Economy Plus seats also recline 1 inch more than a standard seat, while Premium Plus recline up to 3 more inches more.
Amenities: United Premium Plus seats offer extra features like an adjustable leg and footrest, an individual power outlet and USB charger, a 13-inch entertainment screen and plush bedding.
Service: Flyers with Premium Plus tickets receive upgraded dining options on select long-haul international flights, plus a complimentary hot meal, snacks and alcohol on premium transcontinental domestic routes. Meanwhile, Economy Plus flyers must pay for premium drinks on domestic flights.
Airport extras: Premium Plus tickets come with priority check-in and boarding, exclusive security lanes where available and two free checked bags. Economy Plus fares don’t get any of these benefits.
» Learn more: United premium economy — what you need to know
Economy Plus subscription
You can pay to upgrade an economy seat on a flight to Economy Plus at booking or any time prior to departure from your MileagePlus account. Depending on how often you fly on United, you might consider an Economy Plus subscription.
A subscription is valid for one year and is good for upgrading an economy seat (excluding basic economy) to Economy Plus on any United or United Express flight departing within that year.
Expect to pay the following for an Economy Plus subscription plan (plus tax):
One person
$599 for domestic flights (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
$699 for flights within North America and Central America.
$799 for international flights.
One person and one companion
$799 for domestic flights (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
$899 for flights within North America and Central America.
$999 for international flights.
One person and up to eight companions
$1,099 for domestic flights (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
$1,199 for flights within North America and Central America.
$1,299 for international flights.
United Premium Plus
Fare flexibility and ticket changes
All United itineraries for travel in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), Mexico and the Caribbean booked into economy or a higher class of service are eligible for free changes and cancellations. You also won’t pay any change fees for international travel as long as it originates in the U.S. If you change an eligible reservation, you’ll be issued a future travel credit if the new fare is less, or you can pay the difference if it’s more.
Baggage and seat selection
Those flying on a United Premium Plus fare get two free checked bags plus reserved overhead bin space for a carry-on.
United Premium Plus seats are located in the front of the aircraft ahead of United Economy Plus. A seat selection is included with ticket purchase.
Lounge access
Premium Plus ticket holders have access to discounted United Club passes when booking select long-haul international flights. For flyers embarking on a journey with multiple stops, the option to purchase a discounted lounge pass might be particularly attractive. You can purchase a pass during booking to guarantee access.
Earning rates
MileagePlus members earn miles based on a ticket’s cost, not the distance flown. Only the base fare counts toward rewards accrual, and Premier status helps with mileage multiplication. United flyers earn redeemable miles at the following rates:
Elite status level | MileagePlus miles you earn |
|---|---|
General member | 5 miles per $1. |
Premier Silver | 7 miles per $1. |
Premier Gold | 8 miles per $1. |
Premier Platinum | 9 miles per $1. |
Premier 1K | 11 miles per $1. |
United Economy Plus
Fare flexibility/ticket changes
Because an Economy Plus ticket is an eligible fare, it can be changed without a fee as long as your flight travels within:
The U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii).
Mexico.
The Caribbean.
Flights that depart the U.S. for an international destination are also eligible.
Baggage and boarding
Economy Plus passengers board the aircraft in Group 3, 4 or 5 according to seat placement and after Premier elites and co-branded credit cardmembers.
Seat selection
United Economy Plus seats are located behind first class on most domestic flights and behind United Premium Plus seats on international and transcontinental planes equipped with both cabins. You can pick an Economy Plus seat at no extra cost if you bought an Economy Plus ticket.
Earning rates
Whether you fly in regular economy or in Economy Plus on United, you earn the same number of redeemable miles per dollar spent on your ticket. However, because your ticket is likely more expensive, you’ll earn more miles as a result.
Upgradeability
You can upgrade a United Economy Plus ticket to first class on domestic itineraries, United Premium Plus on premium transcontinental routes or Polaris on flights overseas. If you choose to do so, you can pay a fee or use MileagePlus miles from the “My Trips” page when you’re logged in to your MileagePlus account.
» Learn more: What credit cards get me into a United Polaris lounge?
Credit cards and elite status can improve your overall experience
United card members and MileagePlus Premier will notice improvements in their travel experience.
For example, Premier Silver and Premier Gold members can upgrade their economy seat to Economy Plus on domestic and international routes for themselves and one companion booked on the same reservation. Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members have the same privilege, but for themselves and up to eight companions booked together.
United flyers with Premier Gold status and higher have access to Economy Plus seating at booking, and Premier Silver members have access at check-in.
Additionally, Premier members receive free checked bags and Premier Access service at airports. Member also get access to early boarding groups:
1K members get to pre-board.
Gold and Platinum members board with Group 1.
Silver members board with Group 2.
As a United MileagePlus credit card holder, you get up to two free checked bags for yourself and one companion, depending on the card you have, as long as you pay for the ticket (or taxes and fees on an award ticket) with the card. Remember that you don’t have to worry about bag fees for up to two pieces of luggage with an Economy Plus or Premium Plus ticket.
Additionally, if you hold a United credit card, you get to board the plane in Group 2 even if you’re flying on an economy ticket. Among credit card options:
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
$350
$695
$0
• 5 miles per $1 on prepaid hotels booked through United.
• 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.
• 5 miles per $1 on hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 5 miles per $1 on hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.
• $100 United Travelbank credits after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
• Credit 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.
• $200 yearly United TravelBank credit.
• Yearly 10,000-mile discount.
• Another 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in purchases per calendar year.
• 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
• Credit 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.
• Access to United Club airport lounges.
• A 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in purchases per calendar year (up to two times per year).
• Credit every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 2 free checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
» Learn more: Valuable benefits of United Airlines credit cards
If you’re considering an upgrade to United Premium Plus
If you’re still not sure whether United Premium Plus is worth the extra cash, consider the benefits you get with this type of fare. For longer flights, the more comfortable seating and complimentary food and drink may be worth the splurge.
It’s up to you to decide whether an upgrade will make enough of a difference to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
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 2025:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card