US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Interesting Dilemma re Companion Upgrade and UA 1K

I am faced with an interesting dilemma. Basically is it worth the hassle (or even possible) to even try to upgrade a traveling companion on an upcoming trip?

First, some background:

Mr, Mrs, and 2 jr osxanalysts (four of us) are flying DCA-CLT-PLS in a couple weeks and returning two weeks later. When I went to book the tickets with miles a couple of months ago, I found that the cheap coach award was sold out and only the premium coach awards were available (70,000 miles each). At this price, I only had enough miles left for two tickets (I had abandoned US a while back for UA). However, discounted first awards were available for 60k each, which, with a couple of amex miles gave me enough for 3 award tickets, in first. I then bought myself an A fare for $1150.

Thus, my options were:

1 - redeem two premium coach awards and then buy 2 coach tickets at $750 each. Cost - 140,000 miles and $1500 - all of us in coach. At $0.02 per mile, total blended cost is approx $4300

2 - redeem three discounted first awards and buy 1 A Fare. Cost -180,000 miles and $1150 - all of us in first. At $0.02 per mile, total blended cost is approx $4750.

I chose option 2, particularly since it took my US mileage balance to almost zero. If one counts about 15,000 stranded miles with option 1, the cost is virtually identical.

Now - here's my dilemma. We have bought an H/V fare for a friend's teenage daughter (built-in babysitting :D). She is flying down separately from us, but is flying back from PLS to CLT on the same flight as us before we put her on a connection home to BHM. I am still US Gold from early earning last year, but have put my ticket under my UA 1K account to maximize my EQMs this year and earn extra SWU's.

My question is, should I even bother to change the FF account on my ticket and try to get her a companion upgrade on the return leg of this trip? If I am already in F via my A fare, how would this work, particularly with her on a different PNR?

The only way I can think to make this work would be to try to change the mileage earning to my US number once I am down in PLS, but before the 3-day window for Golds. If I get her upgraded this way, can I change my mileage earning back to UA without killing her upgrade?

Or, would it be better to ask for an op-up for her on the day of flight, flashing my US Gold card and UA 1K card? These flights almost always have empty F seats.

Thanks for your patience in reading this complicated scenario.

Noboby wants to chime in? Maybe I should kick a dead horse like kids in F to get some attention.

I would make sure it is taken care of before you leave. I have found ground staff at many stations to be clueless. I if the loads look lite you might have some luck.

Premium awards are free to upgrade as a US gold, so that as long are E seats are available you should be OK.

You have me confused. I am on an A ticket, my family is on 3 first class awards. I was trying to figure out if there's an easy way to upgrade our babysitter, who is traveling with us on one leg.

Do not count on the op-up. I'm assuming the flight from CLT-PLS is on an A319 so space in F is limited and it will be tough to op-up a non-status pax.

Unfortunately, if you want the miles credited to UA you lose the possibility of upgrading a companion on US. The best way to move the babysitter up would be to credit your miles to US and companion upgrade her at your regular US upgrade window.

In any event its not even a 3 hour flight, so if it doesn't work out get the babysitter a good seat in Y and buy her a nice souvenir at the airport.

That's what I thought re needing my US number in the PNR. She has a decent aisle seat right now. The flight in question is a 320, and each time I have been on it there have always been empty F seats. GIven the length of the flight, its not a big deal if she does not get upgraded, but I figured I would give it a shot. A speech in PLS is probably in vain as there is no active GA, just the check in agent that shows up at the gate when its time to board.

Have fun in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands!

(I had to look it up.)

I'm sure the babysitter is happy enough to be going to such a great place. I wouldn't sweat it. Keep your UA number on your ticket and see if you can get an op up . If not, I think your plan to buy a souvenir is good. Although you could end up buying it and then she might get a last minute upgrade and she'll be even happier!
Pam