I'm SM level and I happened upon the "companion" upgrade feature thanks to you guys. I know being the low man on the totem pole doesn't give me a lot of hope - flying through Atlanta to and from smaller airports, but I usually get upgraded. My companion has no status. She doesn't mind if I fly first and she stay in coach. With that being said, I'd still love to give her the chance of being upgraded. Two things I was toying with:

1) I book First class (I need all the extra mileage I can get - going for Gold!) then book her coach ticket on a separate reservation. Can I request companion upgrade still or do I have to book coach as well?
2) If I use some of my miles to help her ticket cost will that wipe her out of the running an upgrade? I know she doesn't accrue mileage which is fine. She doesn't travel often. Their little zwerp about upgrades had me halt my grand plan.

Just couldn't find these two situations in a search. TIA!