Thanks for adding that... I missed that the companion is on an award ticket.

As a GM, you can get an upgrade on an award ticket, and if your non-status companion is on paid travel then they can also be added to the upgrade list... but not if you are on the paid ticket and the non-status companion is on an award ticket.

Linking the PNRs will still allow an agent (twitter/phone/airport) to put her in a preferred seat (or domestic EC seat if you and your companion both reside at the same address). IME, it will also extend your baggage allowance (and priority tags) to your companion if you check in with an agent.