SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
United Airlines has a cabin that's nicer than economy and cheaper than business class called Premium Plus on many international flights. This premium economy cabin is more expensive than economy, but significantly less than business class, making it an appealing middle-ground option for travelers seeking more comfort.
Whether Premium Plus is worth it depends on how you’re booking and what you value most on a long flight. Below, we break down what the Premium Plus experience includes, how it compares with economy and how you can upgrade into this cabin.
On this page
- How to maximize your rewards
- What is United Premium Plus?
- United Premium Plus seat and cabin experience
- Food and drinks in United Premium Plus
- How United Premium Plus compares to economy
- How much United Premium Plus costs
- How to book or upgrade to United Premium Plus
- Is United Premium Plus worth it?
United Premium Plus is a separate seating area offered on United's wide-body planes on international and premium transcontinental routes. The cabin features large reclining purple seats, upgraded food and drink options and extra amenities not available in economy. Booking a Premium Plus seat also includes airport perks such as priority check-in, priority boarding, two free checked bags and priority baggage handling.
The 787-8 Dreamliner layout below shows where Premium Plus is located in relation to United Polaris business class and economy class.
On this aircraft, Polaris business class has four seats per row, while Premium Plus has seven seats per row and economy has nine seats per row.
Cabin layouts vary by aircraft type. Premium Plus is arranged in a:
- 2-4-2 configuration on Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200 aircraft.
- 2-3-2 configuration on Boeing 787 aircraft.
- 2-2-2 configuration on Boeing 767-300ER and 767-400ER aircraft.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Positioned between economy and Polaris business class, Premium Plus offers a more comfortable experience than economy, particularly on long-distance flights, due to a larger seat and more food and amenities, such as blankets and pillows.
Seats
Premium Plus seats are similar in size to United’s domestic first class seats and offer significantly more space than economy. Seats are wider and have a deeper recline and additional legroom, along with adjustable leg rests and footrests for added comfort.
Each seat also includes a 13-inch entertainment screen with movies, TV shows, games and detailed flight tracking, as well as noise-reducing headphones. Bulkhead seats feature entertainment screens that pop up from the side of the seat. Power outlets and USB ports are available at every seat.
Bulkhead seats in the Premium Plus cabin offer the most legroom, as there is no seat directly in front.
Amenity kit and bedding
Premium Plus passengers also receive an amenity kit, a pillow from Saks Fifth Avenue and a cozy blanket.
Inside the blue-striped Brooks Brothers amenity kit, travelers will find socks, earplugs, a dental kit, tissues, a sleep mask and skincare products. Skincare items included lip balm, eye cream, hand cream, face mist and a cleansing wipe.
Premium Plus passengers receive an upgraded dining experience compared to economy, including enhanced meal selections, silverware and cloth napkins. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
Meal service typically includes a hot entree, snacks, dessert and a pre-arrival meal. Snacks may also be available throughout the flight.
Many flights allow passengers to preorder meals, with options such as vegan, gluten-friendly, kosher, Asian vegetarian, balanced diet and many more choices depending on the route. When available, United sends an email a few days before departure with meal selection options.
On morning long-haul flights, the first meal service could be breakfast. For example, on a morning flight from Amsterdam to Newark, the meal included potato pancakes, sauteed and grilled vegetables, and a fruit salad, along with packaged items such as rice cakes, an energy bar and a Dutch stroopwafel.
Some flights also offer advanced meal selection, which can help travelers ensure their choice is available and meets their dietary restrictions. For example, flyers can pre-order a gluten-friendly meal, featuring salmon with potatoes, vegetables and a salad, along with a gluten-free bread roll.
The galleyway in front of the Premium Plus cabin may also include a self-service snack station with items such as fresh fruit, chips and nuts.
Premium Plus is considered premium economy, but it has different seats, service level and onboard experience than Economy Plus (extra-legroom) or standard economy.
Here’s how the three seat classes compare on the Boeing 767-400ER.
| Premium Plus | Economy Plus | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat pitch | 38 inches. | 34 inches. | 31 inches. |
| Seat recline | 6 inches. | 3 inches. | 2 inches. |
| Seat width | 19 inches. | 18.5 inches. | 18-18.5 inches. |
Compared to economy, Premium Plus offers a wider seat, deeper recline and more legroom along with upgraded meals and additional amenities. While it doesn’t include lie-flat seats or lounge access, it delivers a noticeably more comfortable flying experience than Economy Plus or standard economy.
United economy
United’s standard economy experience is largely consistent across aircraft and routes. Seats are smaller with limited recline. Basic amenities, such as complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, are offered, plus a pillow, blanket and headphones are available upon request.
Economy Plus seats are typically located toward the front of the cabin and offer extra legroom but otherwise feature the same seat design, padding and onboard service as standard economy. By comparison, United Premium Plus uses a different seat design altogether, with dimensions and recline more comparable to domestic first class.
If you’re flying in economy and want to enhance your experience, a United credit card can help. The right card may offer perks such as a free checked bag, priority boarding and United Club lounge access. Options include:
United credit cards
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
$350
$695
$0
Earning Rate
• 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.
United benefits
• 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.
• Annual 1,000 Card Bonus Premier Qualifying Points deposit.
• 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).
• Annual 1,500 Card Bonus Premier Qualifying Points deposit.
• 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.
Bonus offer
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Still not sure?
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
The cost of Premium Plus varies widely by route, travel dates and demand. Pricing is dynamic, whether you’re paying cash or booking with miles, as United does not publish an award chart.
Here’s an example of an international flight from Zurich to Washington, D.C., in miles and then in cash:
In this example, economy costs 39,600 miles, while Premium Plus costs 50,000 miles. Both options add $62 in taxes.
Premium Plus requires only 10,400 additional miles compared with economy, while the cash price is nearly double. In this scenario, Premium Plus represents a stronger value when booking with miles than economy.
Although Premium Plus does not include lie-flat seats or lounge access, it can represent a meaningful middle ground for travelers who want more space and comfort on a long flight without paying business-class prices.
To book a ticket in Premium Plus, head to United.com and input your origin, destination and travel dates. If you’re searching with miles, you’ll need to log in to your MileagePlus account.
To choose a Premium Plus seat, you’ll want to look for the phrase “United Premium Plus” within the “Premium Economy” column.
Premium Plus is available only on select aircraft, so it won’t appear on every flight, even on the same route. When a flight does not offer Premium Plus, the “Premium Economy” column will show “Not available.” When it's offered, pricing appears in the same column and is labeled “United Premium Plus,” making it easy to identify eligible flights during the booking process.
United offers several upgrade options, including using miles, paying cash, redeeming PlusPoints or requesting Complimentary Premier Upgrades (must have Premier elite status). Upgrades are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
MileagePlus upgrade requests (using miles)
Travelers can submit a MileagePlus upgrade request after purchasing an eligible economy ticket. Upgrade requests are available to all MileagePlus members, and United notes that they typically cost less than confirmed upgrades.
For example, on a flight from Zurich to Washington, D.C., travelers can purchase an economy ticket for $1,574 and request an upgrade to Premium Plus for 15,000 miles each way, pending availability.
This option can offer strong value in certain situations, such as work travel when an employer pays for the economy ticket and the traveler uses personal miles to upgrade. In those cases, upgrading to Premium Plus with miles can be an inexpensive way to access a more comfortable cabin.
However, since a Premium Plus seat on this flight can be booked for 50,000 miles plus $62 in taxes, it would be a better redemption to book Premium Plus on miles completely, rather than paying in cash and upgrading with miles.
» Learn more: How to upgrade a United flight
PlusPoints upgrades (Premier Platinum elite members and higher)
Premier Platinum elite members (and above) can use 20 PlusPoints to request an upgrade from economy to Premium Plus. PlusPoints are refunded if the upgrade doesn’t clear.
» Learn more: United PlusPoints: What they are, how to use them
United Premium Plus can be worth it for travelers who value extra space, improved dining and additional amenities on flights, particularly when booking with miles or upgrading in specific situations.
That said, Premium Plus can get pricey when paying cash, particularly on shorter flights. Booking with miles can be a smart move when cash prices are high. Travelers seeking a lie-flat seat or lounge access may find the experience underwhelming compared to Polaris business class.
Premium Plus strikes a good balance between comfort and cost, offering a noticeably superior experience over economy without the cost of business class.
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 2026:
- 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: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
