Come October 26, United Airlines will revamp its boarding process for economy class passengers.
United's new boarding process is known as "WILMA," which stands for window, middle and aisle. The airline has tested this method and claims that it can save up to two minutes of boarding time. However, with the right co-branded United credit card, you can board ahead of all other economy passengers, regardless of where you're seated.
Below, CNBC Select details everything you need to know about United's new boarding process and how you can board early.
United's new boarding groups
United's boarding changes only affect economy class passengers. The boarding process will remain the same from preboarding through Group 2, which mostly covers premium cabin passengers and frequent flyers with elite status.
Groups 3 through 5 have been split to board passengers with window seats first, followed by those with middle seats and then aisle seats. In addition, there's a new Group 6 for all basic economy passengers on fares with no full-size carry-ons (domestic flights and select short-haul international). Aside from basic economy passengers, families and other groups on the same reservation will always be able to board together.
Here's how the new boarding groups break down:
Pre-boarding
- Customer with disabilities
- Unaccompanied minors
- Anyone flying with children 2 or younger
- Active military member
- Global Services® and Premier® 1K® members
Group 1
- Premier Platinum and Gold members
- Star Alliance™ Gold members
- Travelers in United Polaris®, United First® and United Business® cabins
Group 2
- Premier Silver members
- Star Alliance™ Silver members
- Travelers with Premier Access® or Priority Boarding
- Select co-branded United credit card holders
Group 3
- Window seats
- Exit row seats
- Nonrevenue travelers
Group 4
- Middle seats
Group 5
- Aisle seats
Group 6
- Basic economy customers (select markets only)
How to board early with United
Despite the changes United is making to its boarding process, there are still ways to board before the rest of the passengers (and before the overhead bins fill up) without having elite status or a premium cabin ticket. 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 (see rates and fees), you and any companions on the same reservation will be invited to board in Group 2. In addition to priority boarding, you and one companion on the same reservation will get a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip (Terms apply), two United Club℠ one-time passes per year when primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and an up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck every four years, among other perks.
The United℠ Explorer Card is worth it even if you only fly with United Airlines once or twice a year because you can take advantage of two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and you can receive free checked bags.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
Many of the same benefits, including priority boarding, are available with the United℠ Business Card, as well as some other perks, such as a 5,000-mile better-together anniversary bonus each year when you have both the United Business Card and a personal Chase United credit card.
Alternatively, you cut ahead of the line and score some higher-end perks with United's more premium cards, such as the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) or United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees). The Quest Card comes with perks like $200 in United® travel credit and 10,000-mile eligible award flight discount on each account anniversary (terms apply; after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year to use toward an eligible award flight with your United Quest℠Card) while the United Club Card stands out for offering unlimited United Club airport lounge access.
Bottom line
Big changes are coming to United's boarding system in an attempt to streamline the process. Window seat passengers will begin to board ahead of other economy passengers, followed by those in middle seats and then those in the aisles.
However, with the right co-branded United credit card, you can get around the new boarding groups and continue to board earlier. Plus, by being among the first to board, you'll have a higher chance of securing a spot in the overhead bin for your carry-on.
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