Originally Posted by
mduell
UACO has made the calculus here very difficult. Certainly split your husband off, he'd prevent any possible UG and as a non-status on his own res he may get a cheaper buy up offer at checkin. You and your son will be eligible for the UG in advance, if you can clear together. If you want the highest chance of UG for you, you'll have to split from your son at checkin time to get on the upgrade standby list. This of course makes your son's upgrade situation on the return murky, it's wildly inconsistent if he'll be upgrade eligible.
This.
You have to assess whether it seems likely that you could get two upgrades - for example, a wide-open FC cabin. If so, split off only husband and roll the dice you'll both get upgraded together. It can happen, even for Golds. If you're close to flight time and seats are limited, then split off son as well, and take your chances of one upgrade (or do this now if seats are limited).
For luggage, I thought benefit was extended to all companions regardless of whether on same PNR, but especially if booked on same PNR but then later split for upgrades. No longer the case?