Processing of Automatic Upgrades With a Companion
 

I've been noticing on the CO upgrade standby list you can view online that often times two individuals with the same last name are being cleared. When I get on board I usually find it to be a couple traveling together.

This got me wondering if CO changed the way they process companion upgrades by processing both the Platinum or Gold member with the companion at the same time. It seems rather unlikely that two family members would have the same status and be upgraded together so frequently that I am noticing.

I've noticed the same thing too.

My theory is that they are using some upgrade method other than EUA.

As far as I can tell CO's EUA process upgrades on the lowest status of two passengers on a single PNR.

UA's UDU process upgrades on the highest status of two passengers on a single PNR.

My interpretation of the Companion Policy section of this webpage is that the CPU process will be the highest status of two passengers on a single PNR.

Nothing's changed with the CO upgrade policy, other than regional upgrades are now coming into play. I've seen a few same last name upgrades as well for my MR this weekend. I think people are using the regional upgrades to confirm the seat up front.

similar names
 

Or maybe your sometimes seeing two strangers, say, Mr. Peter Marshall and Mr. Tim Martin. They would show up on the upgrade list as:

Mar P.
Mar T.

:)

I agree with other passengers having the same last name abbreviation. On our last flight my husband (PER.K) had another PER.K as well as a PER.M and PER.? (can't remember what the other one was).

Unfortunately, the PER.K that had been upgraded was not him.
Also kind of funny that the PER.M was there, that is what my initials would be on the screen had I not kept my maiden name.

Also, it could be a MM on the upgrade list, in which case, thier spouse has the exact same status.

My wife, also platinum, and I always fly together but on separate tickets purchased at virtually the same time and we check in at the same time so we always show up on the upgrade list together even on separate tickets.
I do not trust the upgrade system when there are 2 passengers on one ticket even though we're both million mile platinum's. If only one gets the upgrade - it's their lucky day.

I read it the same way. I thinking the way of the future is to make sure your companion is on your PNR