Listing in First
 

When non-revving, I always list for first even when there is almost zero chance of me getting it, just in case something opens up. Recently I’ve noticed most people list for economy now. Is there a reason for this?

Does it make a difference in departure taxes when international?
Does it make a difference for those that type of pass riders who require imputed income?

I’d say a reason is most people don’t care enough to want to pay for domestic first class when economy is free.

Always list for 1st(especially between now and January 3rd). You don’t pay the first class travel pass fee (if you have less than the 20 years or whatever seniority) unless you are awarded a seat in business/first class. If all seats in coach are filled and you only list SA in economy, guess what?: you aren’t eligible for an empty seat in the premium cabin (holidays often produce domestic and international premium seats). I’ve seen SAs left behind with 1st class seats open. Always list for premium cabin. If you get it, enjoy the meal/drink/big seat/no screaming kids etc. Worth the fee. Heck, I purchase 1st class all the time (with our discount) for vacations and even my last month of commuting to the West Coast was all done (both directions) in 1st. Best money I’ve spent on myself in a while.

The people listing for economy may be UAX employees. They have to pay up front and then get a refund if they don’t get awarded first class.

Commuting home one time, last flight of the night, so if I don’t make it home I spend the night and the gate agent said I was #2 (of many) and not going to get on (there was a senior pilot already in the cockpit jumpseat). All of a sudden I hear her say to her colleague, “We have one seat left. Lets call the standby and close the door.”

She called my name (I was #2 on the list).

I asked why me because I was #2. She said that the #1 person was listed for coach and I was listed for 1st and she has to follow that. The open seat was a 1st class seat. So they put me in it and closed the door.

So from then on I always list for 1st. You can always tell them you want coach and they will move you there if you want to save the $. But I have 25+ years so its free for me anyway.

That makes sense. I’d probably still list for 1st if in that contractor predicament with the post above being an excellent example as to why.

Is this correct? I thought you had to pay for first class when you list and still don't get the seat. Is this correct for both domestic and international?

You pay for where you sit, not where you list

Correct. For employees (and dependents) flying on UA it’s all automated and the actual payroll deduction only happens after the fact. If you don’t get on, or end up in E, you don’t pay the F charge even if you listed in F.

(Buddy Pass riders using a CC to make a listing is a different story.)

How much do you have to pay to sit in first? Had it always been that way at United? Do you all frequently have first class seats available?