Mduel- no- I did NOT book this last minute and for higher fare as usual. This is a family trip and was booked months ago, something I never do. In fact I'm going to NYC in June and I just booked that flight b/c the rate was so low, it's a short hop from here to EWR AND there are no direct 1st Class flights. And THAT felt odd to me. I'm so used to booking last minute that I didn't know any of the rules regarding companions, etc. Which leads me to my answer!

Okay. I called Premier Desk and was assured that this is correct. They split me off from my hubby & son. And it shows that IN the computer. The check-in people should KNOW that we were all on the same trip, all purchased at same time with one transaction. That means that as a family traveling with Gold Elite, at least 1 member of my party in addition to me, gets to check bags.

The trick, she says, is to check in without bags online the day before. THEN we don't deal with the bags until we arrive, as that is when they see us together, know we're together, etc. They'll have a copy of our original reservation (I have hard copy to take with me, too) and that should not be a problem.

This lady knew what she was talking about, enough to even explain the new rules as of 4/15. So I am now upgradable, though I'm not expecting a thing on the outward bound segment. A flight from ORD-MCO with only 4 revenue seats available and me as a lowly Gold, don't add up to Upgrade.

She also said that IF I receive an UG for return flight, I can request my son as a companion if another seat opens up. That would be nice and I have been upgraded on that leg before (MCO-ORD) but I'm not counting on anything. I'm simply increasing the odds of an UG by splitting off from my party.

I think they could do this a bit easier, and I'm going to go prepared for checking our bags with the original reservation hard copy AND the wording she gave me. The thing I need to remember is that splitting off or not, the reservation was made together as a party and paid for in one transaction. My status allowed me one extra person in economy plus and another 2 checked bags if needed.

The whole thing hinges on the original reservation. Me splitting myself off for UG purposes doesn't need to affect anything, if I make sure to remember what she said. She also made notes in the reservations to the effect that I did this for the UG possibilities but AM traveling with my hubby and son.

Oddly, though, it now shows (online) my hubby and son as having to pay for their luggage, even though we were on the same confirmation, etc. She said that is normal for their system and her remarks plus the words "Split reservation" should be enough for the extra bags.

BUT...we'll see! Worst case scenario we pay for 2 bags and get reimbursed. But I don't see that happening. It's annoying as Hell to have to choose between an UG and having a companion check their bags. Ironically, you don't NEED to. But I'm ready for anything. I'm just glad she explained it, told us NOT to add our bags when we check in the day before, and gave me the terms to use IF the agent checking our bags doesn't know this rule.

She also said those 4 revenue seats in 1st will likely be sold at check-in, or might have waitlisting. That's okay. It's the return flights I am coveting.

Either way, I'm just happy that I got a final answer. I'm not saying I completely understand it, but I'm glad I checked! She said I wouldn't have been upgraded at all if I hadn't checked b/c it showed me on a reservation with TWO companions. I would've been given the opportunity at online check in to split the reservation for the upgrade possibilities, but that could've caused more problems.

I never dealt with paying for luggage so this is new to me. With all the problems UA has with overhead space, I'd think that allowing one bag per person free would be the way to go. That's just me.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. When there are differences like this, between my original airline (CO) and the new UA, it helps to have somewhere to go to explain it. After that, I called and did as advised. Who knows? Maybe all this crazy yes/no info will lead to one nice UG!