Originally Posted by
gooselee
Oh, this is interesting. So, this would probably be the ideal situation if, say, I was on the same PNR as three other non-status companions and wanted to just be added to the gate UG list at my own priority, right? (Understanding that it's after the advance windows).
But how does this work if I also want to list (or have listed) for a companion upgrade?
The latter is the more usual situation for me, where I'm travelling with just my non-status wife but it's a flight where we'd rather split to take one seat up front than remain seated together in the back. When we book the tickets together, DL.com automatically requests the UG for both of us, and my remedy for splitting the priority up to now has been to just split the PNRs.
A knowledgeable GA can split you for the upgrade list at the gate before they do the assignments. For the most part, only the "old timers" with 15+ years know how to do it since it's a carry over from the green screen days.
If you only have 1 non-elite on the PNR, the system will list them as upgrade eligible for a companion upgrade when you book the tickets but you'll be below the FO's and need to be split off at the gate for your upgrade (assuming you want to sit apart. If there is more than 1 non-status on your PNR, none of them will be listed for an upgrade (you're only allowed 1 companion upgrade) and you could pick one in the 3 hour window. Then you still have the issue of where you are on the list.
I have a trip on Wednesday with my wife (Also PM) and I and 2 non-status friends. I booked 2 PNR's, each with one of us and one non-status and my wife and I will get split off at the gate with our friends still on the upgrade list but very uinlikely to get them.