I am currently a DL Plat and I have not chosen my annual Benefit but will fall to Gold for next year. My Partner in DL Silver but is due to lose status (not hitting MQDs). In general we always travel together or I travel solo for work - it is extremely rare that he needs to fly on his own.

We are debating gifting him Silver or requesting regional upgrades. We have a number of flights coming up to LAX, SEA, YVR from JFK and the upgrade would be a nice a treat but I know they are not always the easiest to use. What are the pros and cons of him losing total status? Will that negative impact us for upgrades/etc when booked on the same PNR in the future? Appreciate your thoughts! Thanks!!