Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
And your friend with be traveling based on their status -- baggage fees, E+ access, priority boarding, ... since they are no longer traveling with you.
I dont think this will be a problem if the PNR does not have to be split. If using OLCI, and checking a bag.... it will say $0. Also, OP can put himself on the standby list during OLCI and just not show up for it and take his regular flight.
Besides, what if the pax does have to pay for checked baggage but ends up not getting on the flight standby because it is full, and now he is on their original flight. Does the pax get the baggage fee back since travelling on the same PNR with an elite pax?