<p>There are 7 of us, including my folks who are in their 80s traveling together this June. We are taking six flight total, including one red-eye, HNL to DEN, 10pm-8:30am. We originally thought about buying individual economy plus upgrades, but it cost $615 for all of us just for that one flight. Upon further investigation, it was $999 to buy a one year economy plus “E+” subscription, that allows us all to have upgraded seats for all legs of the itinerary, including our 5.5 hour SFO-HNL flight. This seemed much pleasanter all the way around. I can also upgrade up to 8 people who accompany me on any of my itineraries for the next 12 months. H and I have 7 more flights planned thru September, including at least one more red-eye flight. </p>
<p>I confess H and I have gotten a lot of complimentary upgrades to economy plus, and I much prefer it over the increasingly cramped economy seating. Anyway, anyone with experience of this E+?</p>
<p>Thanks, H and I are Silver Premiers, but that only generally allows us to free upgrade to E+ at check in. None of the rest of our party has any premier status and we really want this to be a great trip–Mt. Rushmore & Yellowstone!</p>
<p>United Economy Plus seating just has a little more legroom (usually 34" seat pitch instead of 31"; compare to 30" to 32" on Hawaiian). Otherwise, it is the same as regular economy seating.</p>
<p>Yes, but when the flight is 5+ hours or more! it can make a difference in comfort and the ability to pick up dropped items on the ground. I’ve found that in regular economy seats on United, I have a very tough time picking anything up off the ground which has been dropped. On the 1-2 hour flights, it’s all the same to me, but on the 5+ hour flights! I admit it can be nice to have any extra space you are able to get. </p>
<p>I’ve found that those few extra inches make a huge difference. When the person in front of me reclines, I no longer feel like their head is in my lap… If you are going to be flying that much on UAL this year, I think it was a great investment. </p>
<p>Thanks for the affirmations. I really hate it when my dad gets in a grumpy mood and just to have pleasant travels with him on this trip to Yellowstone and Rushmore makes it seem worthwhile. :)</p>
<p>Mom also has circulatory problems, so the more space she has to elevate her legs the better. H and I may also be taking at least one additional trip for one more conference in 2014, so it is nice to know when we book that we will have E+. </p>
<p>for a long flight, I think those extra few inches make a big difference. Last year, I missed my flight to London because the connecting flight was late. On the flight i was reassigned to, I was in a middle seat (hate that and always book the aisle seat) but it was in economy plus and there was definitely more room. I may even cave this year and pay the extra for economy plus when I fly to London. If I flew often, i would think the subscription was a pretty good deal. </p>
<p>It was cheaper to get the subscription so we could all have the upgrades than pay for each individually for our two long flights. Sadly, they are making regular economy ever more cramped and uncomfortable. :(</p>
<p>It makes all the difference in the world. Upgraded to economy+ for Chicago to Beijing, just over 13 hours. NOT upgraded on the way back, and I was miserable. Even my 10 year old with short little legs was cramped.</p>