1. No, the two PNRs cannot be combined. As noted above, have reservations make a comment into the record that you and your wife are traveling together. This comment helps to "link" the two PNRs together - albeit in a very loose fashion. In the event of delays, misconnections, cancelations, etc. a good reservationist will pick up on the comments and ensure that you and your wife are rescheduled on the same flights. This does not always happen, however, as a computer will sometimes do the rescheduling and will not "see" the comment. In the event of a flight disruption, it's best to double check. I learned this lesson the hard way when my two minor children, who were on separate PNRs from mine, were rescheduled on different flights from me - even though a comment about the different PNRs was entered into both records. UA's explanation: The computer is not programmed to examine the comment section and thus never "saw" the comments. After much reshuffling, we all ended up on the same flights.

2. Your wife's separate PNR does not prevent her from sitting in E+. Once you have both PNRs, call UA and request it. As a premier level UA FF, you may request that one individual be moved from E- to E+ to be seated next to you. As an example, I am flying to the west coast for a meeting next week and will have my minor niece return with me. She is on a separate PNR but I, as a 1P, requested that she be moved from E- to E+ next to me. No problem.