It was my experience, before I made 1K, that when I traveled with my husband (1K), even when we were not on the same PNR, that I never had any problem being assigned E+ seats when my husband called to ask or getting a free checked bag. It seems to depend on the kindness of the person working the check-in counter. Neither of us have had any problem bringing friends or family members up to E+ either, even if they weren't on the same PNR.