traveling with wife - separate return
May 14, 2019, 9:55 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The only downside to two one-ways is that if you are booking penalty fares and you need to make a change, you will pay a change fee per ticket. Thus, moving a trip by a week out and back would generate a $200 change fee on a typical domestic penalty fare, while changing two one-ways would be $400.
While your wife would not be entitled to Gold benefits, she might still receive some of them. Thus, consider exactly what it is that she wants and cares about and whether that is worth it.
While your wife would not be entitled to Gold benefits, she might still receive some of them. Thus, consider exactly what it is that she wants and cares about and whether that is worth it.
May 14, 2019, 11:01 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,883
I often have this issue and wind up booking two one-way tickets so my travel companion will get upgraded on the flight we are on together. The other flight they will receive no benefits. Always the caveat regarding double change fees, but knock on wood I have never needed to change flights with two one way booking.
May 14, 2019, 11:13 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
However, to OP's exact question regarding at least the flight where OP and spouse are traveling together, if OP and spouse are on the same flight and different reservations, it is possible to have DL seat the spouse in a preferred seat (such as exit row - and NOT C+) while GM status OP perhaps gets a C+ upgrade at T-72. This can only be done by a DL phone agent, who will notate the spouse PNR with notes linking/justifying the preferred seat assignment.
May 14, 2019, 11:27 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,883
Other posters are correct - no automatic status recognition/benefits when not in the same PNR.
However, to OP's exact question regarding at least the flight where OP and spouse are traveling together, if OP and spouse are on the same flight and different reservations, it is possible to have DL seat the spouse in a preferred seat (such as exit row - and NOT C+) while GM status OP perhaps gets a C+ upgrade at T-72. This can only be done by a DL phone agent, who will notate the spouse PNR with notes linking/justifying the preferred seat assignment.
However, to OP's exact question regarding at least the flight where OP and spouse are traveling together, if OP and spouse are on the same flight and different reservations, it is possible to have DL seat the spouse in a preferred seat (such as exit row - and NOT C+) while GM status OP perhaps gets a C+ upgrade at T-72. This can only be done by a DL phone agent, who will notate the spouse PNR with notes linking/justifying the preferred seat assignment.
May 14, 2019, 11:28 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
HUCA (and I might suggest daylight hours M-F to improve odds of success). And, make sure you lead with the request "can I get my spouse/companion a preferred seat"? The linking is a step the agent will do to justify the preferred seat - you don't have to ask for it. In this scenario, it is not possible to get C+, so don't bother trying.
May 14, 2019, 12:54 pm
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,015
No Sat night stay RT fares
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SEA
DFW
ORD
MDW
BWI
Sat night stay RT fares
LAX
SFO
PDX
IAH
MCI
BNA
STL
MSY
BOS
RDU
PIT
JFK
LGA
EWR
PHL
FLL
MIA
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ATL
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IAD
AUS
DCA
Last edited by xliioper; May 14, 2019 at 1:05 pm
May 14, 2019, 2:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, MR Gold, Hilton Gold, National Exec
Posts: 534
HUCA (and I might suggest daylight hours M-F to improve odds of success). And, make sure you lead with the request "can I get my spouse/companion a preferred seat"? The linking is a step the agent will do to justify the preferred seat - you don't have to ask for it. In this scenario, it is not possible to get C+, so don't bother trying.
Can't you list one person as a 'travel companion' and they'll at least be on the F list, but below FOs? Edited to add - just noticed this is an international trip, so this won't apply.
For C+, I have had luck asking the GA nicely when there was obvious availability at the gate. Edit - always domestic.
Last edited by bloc0102; May 14, 2019 at 3:23 pm
May 14, 2019, 2:50 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: Delta
Posts: 10
Thanks all for your feedback, this site is a fantastic resource. The trip is ATL-FRA and I've had good luck getting C+ upgrades on this route while alone and didn't want to leave her in coach just because we're on a separate PNR. The outbound is separate, but we're returning together and I think I'll lean on the phone and if unsuccessful the GA on the return to get us both in C+. Historically though, my experience with the GA in FRA isn't stellar.
May 14, 2019, 5:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,277
International
International is a whole different animal. International fares are often priced differently and often require roundtrip for cheaper fares. As you will need to price it separately, you are likely not able to share the benefits.
Additionally, when reservation control is released to airport control, my experience is that they treat elites with little care and have very different upgrading priorities.
I wouldnt count on your wife being able to take advantage of your status.
jiburi
Additionally, when reservation control is released to airport control, my experience is that they treat elites with little care and have very different upgrading priorities.
I wouldnt count on your wife being able to take advantage of your status.
jiburi
May 14, 2019, 8:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
Thanks all for your feedback, this site is a fantastic resource. The trip is ATL-FRA and I've had good luck getting C+ upgrades on this route while alone and didn't want to leave her in coach just because we're on a separate PNR. The outbound is separate, but we're returning together and I think I'll lean on the phone and if unsuccessful the GA on the return to get us both in C+. Historically though, my experience with the GA in FRA isn't stellar.
