This admittedly will not help with plus points or being on the same PNR, but if you are traveling with more than one person, you could consider booking one RT award ticket and one RT revenue fare as another means of creating a trip that is half miles, half cash. This was suggested to me by a thoughtful agent last year and worked well for a trip for 2 to Paris. It requires a phone call to link the two PNRs (for whatever good that actually does) and perhaps to ensure that status benefits are given to both travellers (if needed) notwithstanding the different PNRs. If you go this route, just be sure to consider which passenger you want to be earning full PQP, and which will earn at the lower award rate.