ldsant...that would be correct. Many aspects of United and Mileage Plus allow for a non-statused traveling companion to share some of your privileges. Not all of them, but many.

Folks complaining about what you bring up is what got United to no longer allow a traveling companion to share your status on the airport Departure Management (DM) List.

But on other issues, non-statused traveling companions still get a shot at it, and if they ended up getting the last seat...yes...other statused folks could end up being shut-out.