America West FlightFund (Pre-2005 US Airways merger) - Newbie Elite question re: companion upgrades

My partner and I are book on the same record. How does the upgrade process work? I understand that elites are processed in advance while companions are processed day of.

Does HP actually spilt us up if I get upgraded in advance? Does my Plat status stick to his reservation as well?

I did a search here under "companion upgrade," but only found a couple of non-related threads.

In my experience, you will not get upgraded via the automatic system in advance since you are both in the same record. For this reason, I never book myself in the same record with another person -- I always book separate reservations so this very issue doesn't prevent my advance upgrade.

If you want to get yourself upgraded in the normal course, call the Platinum FF line and ask them to split you into two records and set up your reservation to automatically upgrade you. (They do something in the record to make this happen.) Call during normal business hours so that you talk to a FF Elite person; in my experience the people on the overnight shift bog down with requests like this. If you get someone who says it can't be done, hang up and call back to talk to another person. I've had it done myself, so I know they can do it and that it will accomplish what you are trying to do. I just got the impression that it is something of a pain, so the person you get may not want to do the extra work.

This way you will be upgraded according to the normal Platinum program and you can upgrade your partner, space available, at the airport.

By the way, though, if this happens frequently, why don't you use your one free noniminate a Silver Elite member to get your partner Silver status -- that way he or she will at least have some advantage over the at-the-airport crowd. If you don't know about this, ask the Platinum FF person -- they should be able to take care of it for you.

Thanks for the info. But when it comes down to it, I'd rather fly in Y together than fly alone in F.

Good advice about the nominate a silver. Unfortunately as a comped elite, I don't have that benefit.

[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 04-15-2003).]

Question - If I am Gold on America West travelling on a paid ticket, but my companion is travelling on a reward ticket, can I upgrade her on the day of departure?

Short answer - no

Long answer

#1 Gold cant upgrade a companion

#2 Technically award tickets are not eligible for upgrades - sometimes nice gate agents do it - but it is not "in the book"

Sorry

I beleive that Gold can upgrade companions.

They may upgrade your friend if all paying elites have been upgaded and you're nice to the G/A, but an upgrade on a reward is a rare thing.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jan_az:
Short answer - no

Long answer

#1 Gold cant upgrade a companion

#2 Technically award tickets are not eligible for upgrades - sometimes nice gate agents do it - but it is not "in the book"

Sorry</font>

Gold CAN upgrade a companion. It's only Silver that cannot. It must be a revenue ticket to qualify, though my experience is similar to Jan's. If there is open space, I've seen nice gate agents do it anyway.

If you get the upgrade, give the upgrade to the companion upon boarding, and let the FA know that you are doing same. 1) You'll earn major points with your friend; 2) FAs will sometimes give you a "secret" upgrade. Has worked for me 3 of 4 times when travelling with Mrs. AZ.

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Bob
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> You only live once -- but if you work it right, once is enough.

Joe E. Lewis
</font>

Is the companion upgrade window only valid at the airport? Can I call 4 hours ahead of flight and do it over the phone?

What about web check in?

Only at the airport.

QL