As has been stated, linking does nothing because changes are made automatically. Linking helps tha agents when looking at your account. I was once separated from my son flying home from Jackson Hole. Booked seat months out, mine paid and his Award. Two days before departure, he was moved to a different flight connecting in SLC, while I was on the direct flight. The problem is that he was 5 years old. It was a real hassle to fix. We ended up taking a flight later in the day with 2 stops and bad seats.