Originally Posted by
dmw650
I am travelling with a co-worker on an international trip, same flights. I am *G and he is only *S. For some reason he has been unable to get seats. Is it possible to add his itinerary to mine so that he is now a companion? Then I can get him ELR seats. Are there any downsides?
No. This is well documented all over. (Cannot merge itineraries).
However, you can call the Elite desk and ask (nicely) if your companion can be sat next to you. This used to work for me all the time, but this was before CO started charging for ELR seats. I haven't tried since, since I'm always booked on the same PNR.
Alternatively, he can get them at OLCI, if he's *S on CO/UA.
The only downside of being on the same PNR for an international flight is anecdotally, the potential loss of an op-up.