My girlfriend and I are flying on CO, IAH-LAX-OGG on January 7. I will be 1K for 2012, but my girlfriend is non-elite. We currently have separate reservations (b/c the old CO system processes upgrades on combined reservations at the lowest level). But as I understand the new system, companion upgrades will process at the same level and time as the higher premier traveler on the reservation. So if there is any chance of a companion upgrade (maybe a long shot but what the heck), we'd be better off under the new system combining the reservations. BUT, from the info I've read on here, it seems like the new system may not take effect until sometime later in 2012 ("first quarter," which implies to me that it's not going live on Jan 1).

Anyone know more about when the new upgrade processing rules will take effect? I'm leaning toward leaving them separate so at least one of us has a chance at the upgrade (esp. since that one would be me.

Thanks.