Originally Posted by
Profchemnerd
Another thing to think about is SDC/standby fee for FO. I don't know if this is waived when traveling with a PM companion, but you should check.
It is not. Waived fee for SDC/SDS applies only to the actual GM/PM/DM passenger. Companions must still pony up.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I'm not convinced about the upgrades if you split the PNR.
Having the Reserve card means a free bag and SC access when flying DL, although international partner lounge access would be a loss for the FO, assuming that the international travel is in coach.
Since OP and spouse don't travel a lot, a question is whether it's worth having two Reserve cards and paying almost a thousand dollars in annual fees to get SC access and one PM or two GMs rather than two FOs or two kettles?
Agree that there's a lot to consider, but as a point of clarity, I believe passengers accessing lounges based on STE+ status get to bring one guest along with them, so if the int'l travel is together, that wouldn't be a factor.
Personally, I maintain the highest level of status that I can (which seems to be PM). Mrs. Lee has no status now but may reach FO this year. We find that it doesn't really matter - when she's travelling with me, she gets the day-of benefits that she cares about. When she travels on her own, it's infrequent enough that she just buys whatever amenities she wants (EC, FC, etc.). But, it seems that OP and Mrs. OP travel together more often than not, so the equation will be different for them.