With the new United Express travel benifits do you get a travel companion( say your wife) as well as a second buddy? Was told this but hadn't had it confirmed yet.

Yes, you can have a second enrolled friend (EF2) but will not get any buddy passes plus you will have to pay a service charge every time they use the benefits on top of the yearly charge.

If i choose the buddy passes how many of those so you get?

Just looked at the Pass Travel website and it looks like we are losing buddy passes completely.

Companion passes

The new United pass program does not have companion passes (buddy passes). All companion pass riders must complete travel by March 2, 2012. If travel is not completed the companion pass rider must find alternate transportation. The new United program will not have a way to over ride any companion pass rider that gets stuck or can not complete their travel plans.