Originally Posted by
MSPtoMEL
I'm flying MSP to NRT with a non-status coworker on same PNR. Booked that way so he could get EC (he's big) and bag benefits. The flight looks very full in coach but Business is quite open, so in hopes of getting an OpUp I called DL Premium Line to see about splitting PNR so I might get an upgrade. Agent said if I did then he'd lose everything - banished to regular economy (where he'd have to sit in a middle seat now), etc.
Search of this board says this is not true. Can anyone weigh in as I trust FT more than some agents - she may be new.
YMMV. If there's an aircraft swap or even a sweep of some sort that undoes seat assignments, the colleage will not be able to re-acquire an EC seat for free. If you check in together, the colleage will probably get the free bag, but definitely not if you arrive at the airport and check in separately.
OTOH, there's always a chance of both of you getting OPUPs if a lot were needed, but this would be more likely if you were DM rather than PM, if the colleague at least has a DL FF account number on his/her reservation, and if you have relatively expensive coach fare class tickets. This is assuming that neither of you have ordered special meals.
ADDED. If you do split the PNR, be sure to link them.