Award ticket question
 

I'm fairly certain that this has been covered by some poster in the past, though my searching didn't bring up a hit, so I'll fire away with my question.

I've got enough miles to get two family members from PIR to DTW this spring. If I gift two award tickets will they accordingly reflect the Zone 1 GM status for the person acquiring said tickets (me), or is it default to Zone 3/4?

Your status does not carry over to any benefits of others for whom you book with your miles. So no they will not reflect zone 1 GM status. Also not eligible for UG's and they also don't get favored availability when you are looking for award seats.

Thanks fti,

I had suspected this, but I wasn't entirely sure. So much for benefit carryover...
Still it saves a considerable amount per ticket, so I shouldn't complain.

However, if the account holder travels on the same PNR as the family members (so, also on an award ticket), then everyone has the boarding and luggage priviledges of the account holder.

Follow-up Question
 

Can I ask a follow-up question on this topic? I am looking to book my sister (who is a silver medallion) an award ticket and myself a regular paid ticket to the same destination (flights and times). Is there any way I can link her ticket (PNR) to mine so that she is eligible for a better shot at getting upgraded? I am 99.9% sure the answer is no, but I thought I would at least put the question out there. Thanks!

You cannot upgrade an award ticlket as an FO either as an FO complimentary or as a companon to someone higher. GM and higher have free upgrades on award tickets - and that's it. It would be possible to have her fly on the paid ticket (and be eligible for an FO upgrade) and have you fly on the award (if you are GM or higher) and have a chance of both being upgraded.