In the next few weeks United will start selling subscriptions for travel in Economy Plus. A subscription will be good for exactly 12 months.
Economy Plus puts you at the front of coach and it gives you several extra inches of legroom and generally makes coach travel far more pleasant. Plus the odds of getting an empty seat next to you and being able to seat your family together are much greater in Economy Plus.
I’m part of the United.com beta testing program and here is the pricing that I’m seeing:
-US48 subscription: $499
-Intra-Asia subscription: $499
-North and Central America subscription: $599
-Global subscription: $699
That’s for one traveler.
For $200 extra that traveler can bring one guest on the same reservation with them into Economy Plus. Or for $400 extra that traveler can bring up to 8 guests on the same reservation with them into Economy Plus.
Economy Plus for a Newark to Tel Aviv flight normally sells for $222 to $318 round-trip per person depending on how good the seat is.
A global plan that allow up to 9 people on the reservation to have access to Economy Plus would cost $1,099.
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United will also sell baggage subscriptions. These are not a good deal as just having a United Explorer card gives you one free bag. Plus a United Club card (click on the club card tab when viewing the Explorer card) gives you 2 free bags. In addition those cards give other benefits like primary car rental insurance, expanded saver and last seat standard award availability, and for the Club card waived award close-in expedite fees and 50% bonus miles on all purchases.
-US48 subscription: $349 for 1 bag, $399 for 2 bags.
-Intra-Asia subscription: $399 for 2 bags.
-North and Central America subscription: $449 for 1 bag, $499 for 2 bags.
-Global subscription: $799 for 2 bags.
That’s for one traveler.
For $100 extra that traveler can allow one guest on the same reservation to have the same baggage privilege.
For reasons that I don’t understand here is the variable pricing for that traveler to allow up to 8 guests on the same reservation to have the same baggage privileges
-US48 subscription: $300
-Intra-Asia subscription: $300
-North and Central America subscription: $400
-Global subscription: $200
A global plan that allows up to 9 people on the reservation to check 2 free bags would cost $999.
Normally checking 2 bags from Newark to Tel Aviv would run $200 round-trip per person. Though that’s free with a Club card.
Again, this is part of the beta site, so these prices are definitely subject to change.
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19 Comments On "United Will Soon Sell Annual Economy Plus And Baggage Subscriptions"
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As far as baggage goes,
The Pres+ or Mileage Explorer Club costs $395 and gives me and my party 2 free bags and Premier Access (that they already charge extra for) and all the perks, miles earned, Avis Presidents club (useless) matching to other rental car companies (not useless!) CDW primary, last seat award booking (very good) etc.
So if you’re going to buy the baggage subscription, get the cc instead, as Dan stated already!
Wow these are all terrible pricing and definitely no deal!
@Jake:
If you’re flying with your family on just one round-trip it can be cheaper to buy an Economy Plus subscription than to pay for Economy Plus. Plus you won’t arrive with severely cramped legs.
Especially true if there is no seating together in economy but there is in Economy Plus.
They charge bags luggage for international ?
@Yid:
Everyone charges for a 2nd bag now.
The MileagePlus Club card doesn’t give you Economy Plus seating does it?
@Al:
No.
This might be a good deal if you could use your AMEX platinum airline compensation money for it….
@mickeyg:
It should work for that.
Will you still be entitled to economy plus as a platinum mileage member?
What is platinum airline compensation money?
Will the economy plus subscription work on economy award tickets?
@Warren:
Of course.
@MBlue:
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=3802
@Chris M.:
Yes.
What does the subscription give you? Is this like unlimited flights for 12 months? I’m sorry if I seem dumb or naive but I am. I don’t travel much so i don’t know what this subscription is actually offering.
If you fly on united to qualify for silver or gold status , you will qualify for many of these benefits. I am gold and we are getting 6 bags free(3 for each traveller) and economy plus for free as well.
Do you have to book the tickets with the credit card to get the free bags? (I purchased the tickets a while back and only applied and received the card now)
Dan how can I go about getting the 50,000 mile bonus?
How does United compare to El Al on Newark-Tel Aviv flight?
Regarding Avios/BA travel together ticket- chase website estimates a business class ticket will cost the companion $1250 in fees… is this accurate? Will it really cost that much when a ticket is supposed to be “free?”