I spoke with someone from Delta on the phone yesterday after I asked them to clarify this policy in writing. She stated she could not provide any written confirmation, and agreed that the Delta website no where mentioned if a companion must be in the same PNR. She stated that Delta's internally published policy states that companions MUST be in the same PNR to get free preferred seats. She went on to say however that the Diamond phone reps should be properly trained to waive this policy but that you might have to call back more than once to find an agent willing to do it.

She went on to say they are still looking into this, and the policy could change in the future.