Cancelling one of two passengers - but want to keep elite benefits
I'm booked together with wife on a round trip. She booked the trip for both of us since she has medallion status and I no longer do. We routinely both get upgrades this way.
We're both flying out today. She needs to cancel her return flight and fly elsewhere instead of returning home. Not concerned about the money, ok with eating that. When should she cancel? If, hypothetically, she was to check us both in to that flight, with usual upgrade, could she later cancel herself without affecting me? If she cancels now, several days before the flight, do I lose any chance at her usual perks? Any other issues I'm forgetting?