To Split or Not To Split (PNR)
 

Ok, this one always baffles me a bit... I booked a ticket MCO - ATL for both my partner and myself for the ATLDO in October. The ticket was booked on a T fare.

WIth regard to the new companion upgrade policy, which is the best option for us to have the best chance of upgrading?

I am DM and He is FO.

I am not too sure how the logistics work in this case as him being FO on a T fare will put him at the bottom of the heap, but if companions only clear after FO, then I would be better to split the PNR and get cleared at our respective windows. Both flights are 757 with 22 FC seats I believe.

Anyone with experience on this?

If it is 2 or nothing, don't split them. If you are fine with only 1 upgrade then split.

I will take just one, but was curious if anyone had any insight to the exact order that is followed when the 24 hour window hits.

I always book tickets for me and Mrs dd on separate PNRs.
Mine always clears at the PM window and hers clears at the FO window.

That will most likely be my plan , as that is my experience as well. With the new companion benefit, i was unclear as to who trumped who.

confusion
 

I am also confused by the policy. I am a PM, but my wife is GM. If we are both on the same PNR, do we clear only at the 24 hr window? If so, we would never want to be on the same PNR.

My friend and I are currently on one PNR -- he is a Gold and I am a Silver. I'm a bit confused by the policy. Prior to the gate (during the clearance windows), my question is: A) do I clear by his higher status, B) does he clear by my lower status, C) or do we clear during our respective windows (assuming availability)?

Preference would be for whoever gets upgraded gets it (i.e., it's okay if one of us gets stuck in Y).

Thanks!

It's certainly not going to be case A, I would assume case B, and I see case C as the most ideal scenario. If it's not important that you sit together, I recommend splitting your PNR so that you can maximize the chances that at least your friend will get an upgrade. But the upgrade inventory might be zeroed out by the time FOs become eligible for those seats.

That being said, I can't remember seeing any posts recently that unambiguously identify case B or case C as being the correct upgrade logic for two medallions with different status on the same PNR. My sense is that most folks split their records for the reasons stated above, unless the traveling companions are general members and the baggage fee waivers and better seat selection are paramount.

Thanks trek87 for your help! :)

I went ahead and called DL to split our PNR. I asked the agent and she wasn't too sure but she said she thought it clears based on the most restrictive status (i.e., mine).

I believe the order was...

DM - UP3d or up3e
PM - UP3
GM - UP4
FO - UP5
Companion upgrade - UP6

So, they will put you in the bottom of the upgrade pecking order.