I was under the impression that if a MP member with elite status AND a Presidential Plus/United Club credit card redeems miles for an award ticket in someone else's name, the ticketed passenger receives the same elite status upgrade benefits. This is not a glitch...it is an advertised benefit that is offered to United Club cardholders. I didn't think there was any requirement to be ticketed in a specific fare class for this to work. Others with more experience in this area can chime in with more details.