Originally Posted by QRC3288

Here is a recent anecdote:

*Flew to China on KA on (B fare economy ticket) with a no-status traveling companion recently. Both of us on B fare tix. On return sector HGH-HKG, I checked in at airport a few hours before and got SEC# 200+. So did my companion (we forgot about OLCI). Both of us were op-upped to J. No "I" or "V" or "M" on boarding pass which I often see when I am upgraded.

I am not sure if I was the only DM ticketed in Y class that day (or lowest # DM), I'm willing to say it's possible I guess HGH is not a DM heavy route. However, my companion had no status and was also SEC #200+. There is simply no way there weren't GOs, SLs and other high OW status people with lower #s than him. Perhaps he was upgraded simply because we were traveling together and I'm DM on a relatively expensive Y ticket, that's quite plausible and it has happened to me before. However, I've also been on a flight where a no-status traveling companion was denied an op-up with me despite being on my PNR. I was offered op-up, but told he could not come with me. I declined....and they accepted my decline and put me back in Y class with him. I will add, I specifically remember that time we were on a super discount economy fare (S or N).

Perhaps this is an indication of something different. Or perhaps not. Not really sure, I have too few experiences with the new system to say either way. Either way I was pleased to have been upgraded.