ats262

This has not worked for me yet. Twice recently travelled on same PNR, both of us DM's. One time we were number 1 and number 5 on an upgrade list of about 60. Another time number 1 and number 3 on an upgrade list of around 20. Go figure.

SDQBound

If you had a reservation prior to the policy change, try removing the upgrade request and selecting it again. It happened to me a few days ago that the C+ upgrade for both of us (GM & FO) didn't clear at the GM window despite C+ being available. Once I re-submitted my request, we were automatically upgraded.

js7

This worked for me as well.

xliioper

Yes, I should have also mentioned that I made sure to do this before our trip.

jdrtravel

Data point: Flew r/t SFO-LAX this past week. On both legs it was me (GM), my PM spouse and our non-status companion all on same PNR, and we were on an award ticket. We were not entitled to any upgrades (including C+) because of the non-status companion (unless we had broken him off of our rez, but we wanted to sit together). Mildly annoying because there were lots of C+ seats open. However, on the outbound, the Sky Club agent called down to the gate and asked the GA to upgrade us to C+, which was done aprox 45 mins before boarding, no issue. On the return, I went right to the gate agent, who did the same thing. She even paged another pax and asked him to move from one aisle seat to another aisle seat in C+ so that we could be together (this really blew me away--no, I did not ask for this!).

So just wanted to report that GA's seem willing to upgrade medallions & companions even when it's not allowed (like on an award ticket).

flyerCO

Nevermind.

btonkid12345

You can still sit together on separate PNRs.

Eg - award ticket, me and 2 general members. Booked us all together so preferred seats were free for us all (reclining exit row).

Then separated myself into own PNR and just requested first upgrades. It cleared on 1 of 2. On the other I still kept my seat assignment and got to sit next to my companion.

jdrtravel

Were you on award tickets? Non-medallions are never eligible for upgrades on award tickets, even as a companion (and they prevent the medallion from being upgraded unless you split the pnr). The GA made an exception

viewsonic64

Evidently, I've been living under a rock and had no idea about this new policy. How are DMs not in open revolt? I've flown 194 segments solo this year and often miss the upgrade by one. Anyone flying SEA to ATL on a red eye knows the sick to your stomach feeling when you miss out on F by one. So now I have to compete with a guy's FO business colleague whose company booked the tickets together? Ironically, I hit a million miles yesterday on my MSY to NYC flight. Delta had a cake for everyone in the gate area and gave me a gift basket. I was swooning with loyalty for Delta. Hearing about this new policy feels like a kick to the gut from a good friend. I would GLADLY sit apart from my wife the 2-3 times a year we travel together (I give her my upgrades anyway) than to be repeatedly screwed the 200+ segments I fly each year for business. Solo DMs should clear first, then those with companions.

MSPeconomist

I totally agree and I would add that I'm not convinced that DM companions should be upgraded at the expense of PMs who have earned their status.

securesmaskfirst

I don't understand why they don't just make this a benefit you can chose from the choice benefits. For those who care, they can chose it. I am going to see if it actually works next week for a family trip. Not thinking it will actually work.

flyerCO

One, you have to be on same PNR for this benefit. Most companies don't book 2 people under one reservation even when flying same flights.

Two, the normal upgrade process is still in play with fare class group mattering.

Three, must important there must be 2 RU/OU seats at the same time. Otherwise it will skip over the reservation for the next in order that only has one passenger, even if that's a lower status passenger.

SDQBound

This. I already missed an upgrade at the window because there was one seat available and we were 2 (GM+FO) in the same PNR.

btonkid12345

Same here. And then the system wouldn't display me and my companion on the upgrade list despite multiple check in attempts (Supervisor ended up moving us to a P class fare) but it definitely has a bias towards clearing single travelers in advance,

flyerCO

You can't have a reservation with passengers in different classes. Thus why it has to skip it when there's not two seats open.