brosnan6

I'm getting conflicting answers from SMS reps, hoping somebody can clarify for me.

I have a bunch of these PMU certificates that are expiring next month and I have a friend who's traveling on a B fare tomorrow. I'd like to apply one to his reservation but I'm getting different answers each time I call. Some reps say I have to be travelling, others say there's no G space so they can't apply/waitlist.

What's the true answer? Can I give SMS my certificate # to apply to my friends reservation or not? There is indeed no G space per Expertflyer, but there are still 5 F seats for sale. My understanding is that one can be waitlisted with these certificates, is that correct?

mersk862

You have to be flying with him to be able to use the PMUs.

MSPeconomist

They require G or Z space, although upgrades can occur at the gate.

More importantly, they cannot be transferred unless you are travelling on the same flights, but not necessarily the same PNR.

javabytes

Each rep you spoke to was probably correct, albeit each one only told you part of the rules.

- G availability is required, though you may waitlist if there is no G inventory available.
- Certificates are not transferrable and must be redeemed by the Medallion member for themselves or a traveling companion on the same flights and in the same PNR.

MSPeconomist

I don't think the same PNR is required. For instance, the DM/PM could be travelling on a paid BE ticket or an award ticket while the companion using the SWU has a purchased coach ticket. AFAIK purchased and award tickets cannot be purchased on a single PNR and PNRs can never be combined, only split or linked.

Also, G is the upgrade inventory class only for domestic and EUA eligible flights marketed as FC. Domestic etc. flights marketed as business class use the Z bucket as does international BE.

javabytes

It became so when the electronic SWUs were issued. Read T&C #1 (emphasis mine):

The old paper SWUs read:

I pitched a royal fit when my paper PMUs were exchanged for the online ones and I read the new terms. My companions are almost never booked in the same reservation. I argued they should have changed the terms for new SWUs issued, but left the old ones intact and not involuntarily swapped them on me. DL pulled a T&C #17 on me and said "oh well"...

flying_q

While I do agree that this is what the T&Cs say, I have had many reps ignore this rule regarding a single PNR. They do strictly enforce the same cabin rule though. You must already in in F or J prior to using one for a companion.

brosnan6

Wow. For lack of a better word, this sucks.

I already knew these were semi-worthless for international travel and on the very low utility side for domestic, but this takes the cake. I have only once been successful in finding G availability and that was about 4 months in advance of travel. Most my trips are with a couple weeks notice and I've always just left it to chance (and fared quite well) with the standard unlimited elite upgrades rather than using these since I figure I'm higher off on the list that way.

I simply cannot understand the customer service case for making these so difficult to use. I get the business case (want people to buy F, etc), but why even offer this as a "benefit" if there's such a miniscule chance of being able to use them? Correct me if I'm wrong, but on UA, for example, one can gift their SWUs/CRUs to anybody, right?