Last edit by: Guate87
What is this whole PNR auto-splitting thing about?
First, you need to realize there are two separate upgrade waitlists. There's the advance upgrade waitlist, which runs periodically from your applicable upgrade window until about four hours before departure, and the airport waitlist, which is manually cleared by the gate agents about 30 minutes before departure.
The first waitlist can handle an elite and a companion automatically. If you're next in line for an upgrade and there are at least two upgradeable seats available, you'll both get the upgrade.
The second waitlist (the airport one) can only handle upgrading one traveler on a PNR. If there is more than one person in your reservation when you check in, you'll be asked if you want to either split the reservation if waitlisted for CPU or stay on the same reservation and decline being on the gate waitlist. For supported waitlisted upgrades (PPs or Miles) you will not be asked and it will split (without choice) at check-in.
Next, you need to be familiar with United's "auto-check-in" feature. If you select this option when you check in for your original outbound flight (depending on how you check in, it may automatically default to selecting this), then shortly after 24 hours before your return flight segment, you'll automatically be checked in and boarding passes will be electronically delivered to you. discontinued
If you opt for this and the system automatically checks you in, and if you have two people in your reservation, the system will automatically split your reservation. You and your companion will now be on two separate reservations, and you'll be waitlisted for an upgrade and your companion won't.
Why might splitting be bad?
[color=#000000]If your companions are not elite, they will no longer qualify for the elite benefits they inherited from you. That means no free baggage (including credit card companion bag benefit), no Economy Plus seating access (although they won't be booted out of E+ if they're already seated in it, barring irregular operations), no Premier Access, and potential issues in irregular operations as a result of being on a separate reservation (they may be rebooked on a separate flight from you without agent intervention). If you have TSA pre-check your family traveling with you on the same PNR can use the precheck line - which they cannot do if you split. And if you are traveling with children
First, you need to realize there are two separate upgrade waitlists. There's the advance upgrade waitlist, which runs periodically from your applicable upgrade window until about four hours before departure, and the airport waitlist, which is manually cleared by the gate agents about 30 minutes before departure.
The first waitlist can handle an elite and a companion automatically. If you're next in line for an upgrade and there are at least two upgradeable seats available, you'll both get the upgrade.
The second waitlist (the airport one) can only handle upgrading one traveler on a PNR. If there is more than one person in your reservation when you check in, you'll be asked if you want to either split the reservation if waitlisted for CPU or stay on the same reservation and decline being on the gate waitlist. For supported waitlisted upgrades (PPs or Miles) you will not be asked and it will split (without choice) at check-in.
Next, you need to be familiar with United's "auto-check-in" feature. If you select this option when you check in for your original outbound flight (depending on how you check in, it may automatically default to selecting this), then shortly after 24 hours before your return flight segment, you'll automatically be checked in and boarding passes will be electronically delivered to you. discontinued
If you opt for this and the system automatically checks you in, and if you have two people in your reservation, the system will automatically split your reservation. You and your companion will now be on two separate reservations, and you'll be waitlisted for an upgrade and your companion won't.
Why might splitting be bad?
[color=#000000]If your companions are not elite, they will no longer qualify for the elite benefits they inherited from you. That means no free baggage (including credit card companion bag benefit), no Economy Plus seating access (although they won't be booted out of E+ if they're already seated in it, barring irregular operations), no Premier Access, and potential issues in irregular operations as a result of being on a separate reservation (they may be rebooked on a separate flight from you without agent intervention). If you have TSA pre-check your family traveling with you on the same PNR can use the precheck line - which they cannot do if you split. And if you are traveling with children
The stupid PNR auto-splitting at T-24 needs to stop
#931
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,752
I thought this problem had gone away? Upon check-in at SJO the agent informed me that we had our PNR split because she could not check us in without doing that. (partner is Silver) Is that right? FYI-I was checking in at the airport, did not do so online beforehand so I didn't click some magical box authorizing it as some posters here had been told in the past.
#932
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EP/MM
Posts: 35
So basically I should have said, before handing our passports over, don't split us? There was no discussion about any upgrade at any moment. As a PP I am automatically on the CPU list but that was it. Not earth shattering but still annoying.
#933
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
PNR splitting on CPU wait lists is an 'opt out' procedure. Unless you affirmatively opt out, you will be split!
#935
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, BA
Posts: 194
So from this thread, where a 1K and a non elite are on the same PNR, leave them alone until OLCI, and if they have not cleared through EUA, split them? Is this the best play for either or both to be upgraded within 24 hours of departure?
#936
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,752
If un-split, you will not be on the gate upgrade list. 0% change at the gate if un-split. Note if you split on the outbound, then on the inbound the companion will be on their own for upgrades. (although you can request they be manually added them back at the gate)
#937
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
It seems that they still remove you from the CPU list on the return flight if you decline being put on the airport upgrade list (thus keeping one PNR) on the outbound. Anyone had a conflicting experience or any luck getting back onto the CPU list for the return flight?
#938
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Yes. Basically let the system "work". The issue is what it does for the companion on the inbound.
#939
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: 1K
Posts: 784
I'm not sure that this is true. If I have 2 pax (1 1k, 1 GM) on 1 PNR with RPU's applied and R=1 opens up, what happens? I'm fairly certain that even if you're #1 and #2 on the list, someone else gets upgraded... OR, another single pax that isn't even on the list can apply the RPU and completely bypass the waitlist. I'm almost to the point where I am going to book separate PNRs when I am traveling with my partner.
#940
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,956
I'm not sure that this is true. If I have 2 pax (1 1k, 1 GM) on 1 PNR with RPU's applied and R=1 opens up, what happens? I'm fairly certain that even if you're #1 and #2 on the list, someone else gets upgraded... OR, another single pax that isn't even on the list can apply the RPU and completely bypass the waitlist. I'm almost to the point where I am going to book separate PNRs when I am traveling with my partner.
#941
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
#942
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,252
#943
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: STL
Posts: 4
After reading most of this thread I still have a question: We (my wife, our two kids and I) are flying STL-SFO-SEA in a few weeks. I am a MP Platinum. How do I get on the upgrade list for two of us? The reservation on the website doesn't show the otherwise typical "Eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrade". We would need to get two upgraded seats to have one of the kids sit with one of us. Any thoughts?
#944
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 22
After reading most of this thread I still have a question: We (my wife, our two kids and I) are flying STL-SFO-SEA in a few weeks. I am a MP Platinum. How do I get on the upgrade list for two of us? The reservation on the website doesn't show the otherwise typical "Eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrade". We would need to get two upgraded seats to have one of the kids sit with one of us. Any thoughts?
#945
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,213
To confirm. I am 1k, companion is gm. We have a o/w ticket for UA purposes, flying back on a different carrier, on different tix. Upgrade on the first leg cleared at the window. Upgrade on the second leg has not yet cleared. Am I better a) checking in and splitting ASAP, b) waiting a little longer to check in but eventually split or c) check in and not splitting. If I take A my companion ends up on the CPU list but behind all the other 1Ks. If I take B, we might still clear together before it goes to the gate but only if they open up 2 seats otherwise eventually scenario A. If I take C we end up on the same res but the last leg will not clear.
Is my understanding correct? Seems like A is probably the best of the ridiculous hoops.
Is my understanding correct? Seems like A is probably the best of the ridiculous hoops.