Originally Posted by
Stripe
Yes, on AA a companion on your PNR assumes your status for upgrade purposes. I guess the one reason to keep a companion on your PNR on DL is so you can both get EC or exit row seats, which is probably the closest you'll get to F given the companion upgrade rules.
A little digression --- you can still both get EC and exit row seats (and seat together in coach or EC) even if you have your PNR divided since they are still linked -- just call the Platinum line if you split your PNR BEFORE you chose the seats. As for EC, I believe you still have to pay for a companion who does not have status, regardless of your own status, if they are supposed to pay based on their status.
Note that if you do get upgraded and your companion does not, they retain whatever seat you reserved for them. I always give my no-status companion the aisle seat and take the middle in case I get upgraded so he/she does not have to be stuck in the middle.