Companions on CO
Jul 14, 2011, 9:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: IL USA
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Companions on CO
Has anybody been burned by traveling with a companion on CO? UA currently allows the higher status to determine the upgrade. CO is the polar opposite, allowing the lower status to determine the upgrade. I am traveling with a companion this weekend who is a 2P, and I am a 1K. Our reservations had to be split so at least I had a chance at clearing. If she doesn't clear, she can have the F seat. I hope the new UA doesn't do things this way. It wouldn't be an "enhancement".
Jul 14, 2011, 10:48 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
Although I see the new baggage policy (out today) states that companions must be on same reservation to get checked bag fee waived. Its always been like that in the system, but usually the agent will overide the fee.
Jul 14, 2011, 10:57 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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It still will be, since they were originally on the same reservation.
Jul 14, 2011, 11:04 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 196
CR1s might take some of the pressure off - upgrade companion with CR1 and wait for window for yourself.
Jul 14, 2011, 11:36 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
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Posts: 8,243
You split the reservation >5 days out, hope for EUA on your reservation, and then add the companion at the airport. They'll clear ahead of any others below your status, if all upgrades haven't already been processed. I've had a very high success rate doing this in the past.
There are pros and cons to both the UA and CO systems. The best of both worlds would be automating the above process, so your companion can get added to the list sooner and not have the risk of others being upgraded through EUA.
There are pros and cons to both the UA and CO systems. The best of both worlds would be automating the above process, so your companion can get added to the list sooner and not have the risk of others being upgraded through EUA.
Jul 14, 2011, 12:17 pm
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
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I have mixed feelings about it. I have had a much better percentage of upgrades on CO probably because of it, there are not as many companions who got upgraded, but of course, when you are flying with somebody else, it's nice if you can fly together.
Obviously, we can't have it both ways, and I would bet they know it's better to move a few more elites up than it is a few companions for them in the long run.
Obviously, we can't have it both ways, and I would bet they know it's better to move a few more elites up than it is a few companions for them in the long run.
Jul 14, 2011, 1:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
I would be happy if companion upgrades became a spouse benefit (like MM status match on CO now). Basically your spouse traveling with you gets upgraded with you based on your same status, but not anyone else. It would require some mechanism to designate your spouse.
Less business colleagues getting upgrades over people with actual status than UA today, and convienient spouse upgrades (like UA today) seems a pretty good balance.
Less business colleagues getting upgrades over people with actual status than UA today, and convienient spouse upgrades (like UA today) seems a pretty good balance.
Jul 15, 2011, 12:24 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: CO Platinum / BA Gold
Posts: 780
If they did that I wouldn't care if they took away comp upgrades for companions in their entirety.
(In an ideal world a funded companion upgrade would give the EUA+Companion a slightly better chance of F than straight EUA.)
The other sensible option would be to upgrade based on an average of status on the PNR as opposed to max (UA) or min (CO) status as they presently do. Red_Rob's idea is pretty good too.
Jul 15, 2011, 9:26 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
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Question: are non-status fliers paying for upgrades prioritized over companion upgrades? On SFO-GDL the other night they had 14 people pay $99 and my companion was stuck in coach.
Jul 15, 2011, 9:28 am
#11
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Jul 15, 2011, 4:29 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Jul 15, 2011, 5:10 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
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