Originally Posted by
seagar
Based upon the UAL UDU faq: Can I use Unlimited Domestic Upgrades when traveling with friends or family? Yes, we’ll automatically request Unlimited Domestic Upgrades for all elite members and up to one companion traveling on the same reservation. When upgrade space becomes available, requests will be prioritized by the Mileage Plus® elite member’s status, booking class purchased and by time of ticketing.
I booked two tickets, wife and I, six months ago and applied for upgrade at booking time, called before the flight to assure the e-500's were changed to UDU's and we were both on the same pnr as well as waitlisted together. Agent agreed all was proper. Surprise at the gate when the "board" said 3 seats available with me # 2 and my wife #8. I asked GA and she said that's the way it works...wow, great idea United, great change...not
Really? If requests are indeed prioritized "
by the Mileage Plus elite member's status," both you and your wife should have had 1K status for upgrade purposes. See also
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53216,00.html ("If upgrade seats are available, we will confirm members and their companions in order of priority
based on the elite’s status, ticket class and time of purchase.").
IMO that's the way it should be; otherwise, if UDUs are processed based on each individual's MP status, in many cases some passengers will be upgraded while their traveling companions will not, and GAs (and the paired passengers) will have to deal with the fallout. Or am I being too rational?