How do I get an earlier boarding group on United?

The easiest way to unlock priority boarding, including if you're in basic economy, is with an eligible co-branded United credit card. For example, with the United? Explorer Card, you and any companions on the same reservation will be invited to board in Group 2.



To secure an earlier boarding group on United Airlines in 2026, you generally need to hold elite status, a specific credit card, or a premium cabin ticket. Group 1 is reserved for Premier Platinum/Gold members and those in First, Business, or Polaris cabins. Group 2, which is the most accessible "early" group for many, is granted to United Credit Cardholders (such as the Explorer or Quest cards) and those who purchase "Priority Boarding" or "Premier Access" as an add-on during checkout. If you don't have these, your group (3 through 5) is determined by your seat location: window seats board in Group 3, middle seats in Group 4, and aisle seats in Group 5. Therefore, choosing a window seat is a "free" way to board earlier than those in aisle seats. For those with special needs, United offers "Pre-boarding" for customers with disabilities, active military, unaccompanied minors, and families traveling with children age 2 and under, regardless of their ticket type or seat location.

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You can add Priority Boarding to your trip to get an earlier boarding group. If you add Premier Access to your trip you get Priority Boarding automatically and you get access to faster check-in and security lines.

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To receive priority boarding, just add your MileagePlus number to your reservation and refer to your United boarding pass for your boarding group number.

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How are boarding groups determined. For one thing, most airlines determine boarding groups based on ticketing class (first, business, economy or basic economy).

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There is priority boarding for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability or who need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. In that case, you'll board before Family Boarding, between the A and B groups.

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Groups 1 and 2 are made up of passengers with elite status in MileagePlus and partner programs, as well as those passengers seated in premium cabins. Group 2 also includes United co-branded credit card members and passengers who have purchased Priority Boarding.

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The new process will go into effect on most United flights on October 26. Here's how it will work: When economy boarding starts, passengers with a window seat will board in Group 3, along with fliers in exit row seats. Next up will be economy fliers with middle seats, who will be in boarding in Group 4.

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Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport.

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Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport.

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Priority Boarding Fees “Airlines even offer priority boarding for a fee, so those who want early access to the overhead bins can pay for it. The price for priority boarding starts at around $10 and maxes out at around $30.

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Get extra legroom and a seat in front of the Economy sections with Economy Plus®. Economy Plus is available on all United flights and most United Express® flights. You can upgrade to an Economy Plus seat at any time from booking to check-in.

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Then, you're assigned a number within the boarding group that determines your place in line. This means that A1 will be the first to board, followed by A2 and so on. Without paying for early check-in, it's usually the case that the earlier you check in for a Southwest flight, the better your boarding spot will be.

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Bottom Line: Your best bets to get a higher boarding position without having to earn elite status are EarlyBird Check-In and upgraded boarding at the gate. However, both options will cost you. EarlyBird Check-In costs $15 to $25 one-way per person and doesn't guarantee you'll get an A boarding number.

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Will Customers with an EarlyBird Check-In benefit get an “A” boarding pass and be among the first to board? While EarlyBird Check-In doesn't guarantee an A boarding position, it improves your seat selection options to help you get your favorite seat. Please remember, EarlyBird Check-In is subject to availability.

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When you are assessing the value of United Premier Access, it really depends on which perks you'll utilize and how much you have to spend in order to get it. Similarly, you won't find a lot of value in Premier Access if you already have expedited security privileges such as TSA Precheck, Clear or Global Entry.

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The groups of Priority Boarding are identified by the following codes: Group 1 - First Class, Group 2 - Premier 1K and MileagePlus Gold Members, Group 3 - Premier Platinum, Premier Gold and Silver, MileagePlus Platinum, and Star Alliance Gold Members, and.

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The new process will go into effect on most United flights on October 26. Here's how it will work: When economy boarding starts, passengers with a window seat will board in Group 3, along with fliers in exit row seats. Next up will be economy fliers with middle seats, who will be in boarding in Group 4.

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People, otherwise without elite status, who paid for early boarding. Everyone else, sometimes sorted by their row of the aircraft. If you don't fit one of these, you're likely to be towards the bottom of this list. Check your bag and it doesn't matter so much, assuming the airline has assigned seats.

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Final thoughts on the different United economy fare classes Standard economy allows carry-on bags and complimentary seat selection, while basic economy, as the cheapest of the bunch, carries the most restrictions.

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What is preferred seating? A preferred seat is a regular United Economy seat that's closer to the front of the plane. This will put you in the first few rows behind Economy Plus. Extra legroom is not included.

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