US Airways Dividend Miles - PNR Split and Baggage Fees

MrsRuffles and I are traveling with my parents later this week. MrsR is Silver, everyone else has no status.

We used the credit card companion certificates so right now we have 2 separate (but linked) PNR's: one with 3 passengers including MrsR and the second with the remaining passenger. I'm considering splitting off the 3rd passenger from the 1st PNR in order to increase the slim chance of an upgrade based on MrsR's status. If we get an upgrade we'd give it to my parents as we're flying out on their 53rd wedding anniversary.

As it stands now, everyone on PNR #1 would be entitled to check one bag free based on MrsR's status and we'd have to pay a fee for passenger #4. If I split the PNR would we then have to pay a baggage fee for the passenger who gets split off? I'm assuming yes but I just wanted to check.

I think that you're correct. I'm facing a similar situation- for a relative who is now Preferred, I could link her PNR to friends of hers who she's traveling with, and save them the checked baggage fees, but then she's face a harder shot at an upgrade...so I won't do it.

I think that you're correct. I'm facing a similar situation- for a relative who is now Preferred, I could link her PNR to friends of hers who she's traveling with, and save them the checked baggage fees, but then she's face a harder shot at an upgrade...so I won't do it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that only passengers on the same PNR were eligible for an upgrade when traveling with a preferred. I didn't think that those on linked PNR's were eligible

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that only passengers on the same PNR were eligible for an upgrade when traveling with a preferred. I didn't think that those on linked PNR's were eligible

You may well be right- I just figured that having multiple passengers on a linked PNR would mess up the upgrade process, which is challenging enough already as a Silver on a weekday business route.

I think that you're correct. I'm facing a similar situation- for a relative who is now Preferred, I could link her PNR to friends of hers who she's traveling with, and save them the checked baggage fees, but then she's face a harder shot at an upgrade...so I won't do it.

Linked PNRs won't get you free bags either. Had to split Mrs. Lowly off what was originally a RT for both of us, I had to return elsewhere. She had to pay bag fee both ways.

Two things: A "linked PNR" doesn't really mean anything. There isn't really any way to connect the reservations. It is my understanding that a "linked" PNR just means they put a note in your reservation that you are traveling with the other party - there is no actual combination though. Accordingly, someone on a "linked PNR" is really on a totally separate PNR and reservation and wouldn't get any benefits from someone flying on the original PNR.

Secondly, you state that you are using the credit card companion certificates. Technically, I don't think you are allowed to split the reservation although I have seen several posters in the CC Certificate thread mention that they were successfully able to do this by simply calling in to reservations.