Glad to hear things went well for your however the term linked isn't correct as once issued as two completely separate tickets there's no way to join or link them in airline CRS systems. The more correct term as mentioned is cross referencing, which simply means that a note is placed on one PNR alerting the airline to the existence of another PNR with onward travel. However this cross referencing is more of a courtesy than much else and doesn't mean you'll benefit from any of the same provisions as if you were travelling on one ticket should a connection be blown. Agree with global_happy_traveller that often the airline, and especially fellow alliance members, will try and do what they can however it's not something they aren't obligated to do and relaying upon their good graces isn't something I would rely upon as a general rule.

Also worth noting that a quoted one hour connection on one through ticket does not mean the same connection is valid when joining two separate tickets.

BTW it won't matter at all to UG's when you cross reference the files.