United Airlines Economy Plus...worth it?

[cjs]

I have a horrible 15 hour flight coming up, the company I am contracted to only pays for economy, I can upgrade to plus for $150USD, but is it worth it? They say I get an extra 5" legroom which would be an advantage, but I cannot see any other benefits.

Also does United supply free drink on international flights? Should I spend the $150 on Whisky instead?

[TomOSmith]

Depends on how tall you are. The seats are the same as regular economy, just spaced wider. I'm 6'2" and find the extra space very valuable (though I get it for free with mileage plus status). In normal seats I don't have a lot of leg movement (if any), in plus it's easily bearable for long haul even with the person in front reclined.

[Ynox]

Ask the company nicely to pay to upgrade (it's $100 with tax each way iirc)? My business travel policy is eco only (unless I must be on a flight then I've had business) but I can get economy plus.

As for it being worth it - definitely. Extra 5" is well, well worth it although the seats are as narrow as usual eco ones. No free booze with UA in economy/Y+ either - $6/beer (paid by CC only) which gets you Miller/Miller Lite/London Pride. At least on the little regional jets they stock Heineken!

[TomOSmith]

There is free booze in United Economy for international flights. Given it's a 15 hour flight (my guess LA to Australia or New Zealand), that would be pretty hard to do domestically in the US (which does charge for booze).

[Ynox]

Tom - you sure? I flew United just last Saturday and there was no free booze. They did/do give free wine with your meal if you're on a 747 though as these hadn't yet been refitted.

Only airlines I know of that give free booze now going to/from the US are european carriers.

[cjs]

Thanks for the replies, good news for me... I didn't need to go, contract cancelled at the last minute! When I did try and upgrade to plus there was no availability, which was fortunate as I would have lost my $150!

BTW I did check the United site and they only offer free booze on Trans-Pacific flights not Trans-Atlantic. Work that one out!

[Trikster]

Just as an aside - the United web pages are inconsistent.

If you book your flight on the UK site, you then have to go to the US site to upgrade - the US site doesn't take UK credit cards for booking flights, but does for the upgrades, all too confusing.