Getting "Preferred Seats" on United Airlines for free is primarily a benefit of having MileagePlus Premier Status. If you hold Premier Silver status or higher, you can select Preferred Seats (which are standard economy seats located closer to the front of the plane) at no extra cost during booking. If you have Premier Gold or higher, you can even select "Economy Plus" seats (with extra legroom) for free at the time of booking. For those without elite status, there are still a few ways to bypass the fees. If you are traveling with children under 12, United's "Family Seating" policy ensures that at least one adult can sit next to the children for free, which often results in being placed in preferred rows. Another strategy is to wait until the 24-hour check-in window opens; if the standard economy section is full, United's system may assign you a Preferred or Economy Plus seat for free. Lastly, if you are a primary cardholder of certain United Chase Credit Cards, you don't get free preferred seats directly, but you do get priority boarding, which can be a valuable alternative to ensure you find overhead bin space near your assigned seat.