I apologize if this has been covered, but I couldn't find exactly the info I need. I am CP; booked PIT-PHX-FCA/PDX-PHX-PIT for me and a companion (no status). Flight was booked on all HP metal, on old HP (SHARES) website.

I understand that if I was on the itin alone, I should expect the auto upgrade system to work. However, the website says that for a companion, I need to call reservations. So what should I do?

1) separate the itin, so that I get the upgrade at the window (or whenever), then once i have the upgrade, call and get the companion added?

2) keep us both on the same itin, and expect us both to be upgraded whenever I alone would be eligible?

3) keep us both on the same itin, then call when my window opens and ask to be manually upgraded?

I find that calling CP line often results in mixed messages. I would prefer to get the input of FT'ers who have actual real-world experience as to the vagaries of the merger progress. :confused:

Thanks.

I apologize if this has been covered, but I couldn't find exactly the info I need. I am CP; booked PIT-PHX-FCA/PDX-PHX-PIT for me and a companion (no status). Flight was booked on all HP metal, on old HP (SHARES) website.

I understand that if I was on the itin alone, I should expect the auto upgrade system to work. However, the website says that for a companion, I need to call reservations. So what should I do?

1) separate the itin, so that I get the upgrade at the window (or whenever), then once i have the upgrade, call and get the companion added?

2) keep us both on the same itin, and expect us both to be upgraded whenever I alone would be eligible?

3) keep us both on the same itin, then call when my window opens and ask to be manually upgraded?

I find that calling CP line often results in mixed messages. I would prefer to get the input of FT'ers who have actual real-world experience as to the vagaries of the merger progress. :confused:

Thanks.

If you keep the companion on the itinerary with you, then it's all all-or-nothing upgrade (either you both upgrade or no one upgrades). If you split the record then 1 of you can be upgraded if there is only 1 seat left for upgrade.

Have you checked what the load is like in F? Since you're a CP I'd say call reservations and have your companion listed on the upgrade queue and split the reservation. It's always easier to get 1 seat at the gate than 2.

i have not taken a companion since the system integration. i have actively avoided shares/HP only b/c i understand sabre/US better. however, my limited experience with shares/HP gives me the impression there is (was?) more leeway in their ability to dole out upgrades within your window.

on sabre/US, i was given the option "willing to separate" on my upgrades, and they either happened or didn't at my window. after that nothing would change till the airport.

on shares/HP, i failed my upgrade at the window, and with a call at 5-6days out, i was given an F seat. this has never happened to me on sabre/US. granted, my sample size for shares/HP is too small to say whether i was just lucky.

so, i think i'd leave the PNR be, but regardless what you do with the PNR, if the desired outcome doesn't come at your window, then i'd call CP to be transferred to an old HP person, and see if they can give you one or two seats. rinse and repeat till the airport.

Definitely keep it with both of you on the same itin if you want your companion to upgrade at all. If you split it, your non-status friend is out of luck.

If your upgrades are not confirmed at the 7-day window, call the CP line and ask them to do it manually. If they cannot do it, ask them to transfer you to someone on the HP side in Tempe (though I've had good luck in the past couple weeks with the East CP agents finally being able to handle HP issues/upgrades). If they can't do it at 7 days out, call each day until the upgrades are available -- don't wait on the HP side till you get to the gate. Seats generally get released each day, so snap them up before anyone else -- and especially before the 4-day Plat window opens.

One final question -- is the PHX-FCA segment mainline or express? If express, then obviously upgrades aren't an issue on that segment.

Definitely keep it with both of you on the same itin if you want your companion to upgrade at all. If you split it, your non-status friend is out of luck.

I believe you can split the record and still have your companion upgrade. The benefit there is that if there is 1 seat available you will be upgraded (as opposed to both of you not being upgraded).

I have done this multiple times on US East/Sabre and it's worked fine. Just be sure the companion's record locator is in the upgrade queue.

I've only done this once (pre-merger) - but I called the HP number at my window and asked to upgrade both myself and my companion (who was on a different itinerary) and the agent upgraded us both right then. From what I've read tho, I got lucky!

1) separate the itin, so that I get the upgrade at the window (or whenever), then once i have the upgrade, call and get the companion added?
I believe you can split the record and still have your companion upgrade.

I did this on HP recently. Split the record at booking (at the reservation agent's advice), then called for the companion upgrade after receiving the upgrade status email.

I did this on HP recently. Split the record at booking (at the reservation agent's advice), then called for the companion upgrade after receiving the upgrade status email.

Wow, if that's the policy now, that's a great new perk for the HP side. So, we get to upgrade a companion at the window, BUT also get to split the record just in case there's only 1 seat for ourselves at the window? Nice -- especially since I assume such a traveling companion is still able to get any released seats between the 7 and 4 day windows (and then even after that if necessary) each day.

Pre-merger of course, we could only upgrade companions on the day of departure on HP. So I like these changes.

Wow, if that's the policy now, that's a great new perk for the HP side. So, we get to upgrade a companion at the window, BUT also get to split the record just in case there's only 1 seat for ourselves at the window? Nice -- especially since I assume such a traveling companion is still able to get any released seats between the 7 and 4 day windows (and then even after that if necessary) each day.

Pre-merger of course, we could only upgrade companions on the day of departure on HP. So I like these changes.


yes for the HP side of the house, great change.. I used it 4 weeks ago to upgrade someone on a different itinerary. Actually I was flying ONT-PHX-TPA and he was PHX-TPA and they were able to upgrade him on the flight as my companion, so even if you are only flying some segments together, they can upgrade those segments. It is neat if you and a companion are flying out of different cities to PHX then connection onward.. for the PHX onward, you can upgrade your companion. (they just can not upgrade on the segments you are not flying with them on).

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I think I'll split the res, and when (if) i get my UG, i'll call and attempt to get the companion. all 4 segments are mainline and 2.5-4.5 hours, so it is worth it.

right now, itn is showing:

PIT-PHX F0 (not good)
PHX-FCA F4
PDX-PHX F4
PHX-PIT F4