To split or not to split
 

I look forward to UGs (don't we all?).

Traveling with my GF later today ATL-CLE and we already have our C+ seats side by side.

Unfortunately our positions 3 and 4 for FC with 5 seats changed to 5 and 6 (still with 5 seats).

Now I will cross my fingers for a no-show and some luck in sitting next to each other up front, but the question is front and center today.

When would you split or stay together when given the chance at an UG?

I'm thinking about my own criteria, and will probably add it as another post later, but I had my mother move to FC without me last year LAX-SEA, and I'm thinking I'd probably do the same today, but I haven't checked in with her. She really might not care.

more folks will be checking as the day goes on, which means you may be 24 and 25 on the list by, say, T-2 hours ... there have also been numerous reports of split PNRs on the outbound leg mucking up the UG list position on the return

I 100% split each and every time this happens. If done correctly, the PNR should not be affected (although there are certainly reports of this occurring in anecdotal fashion.

this ... no reason to split, the upgrade will elude you both
my criteria when flying with gf is pretty simple, she would prefer to sit with me in C+ or coach than by herself in F, so no split.
With my kids I split, as they would rather be in F than next to dad

I usually just tell the gate agent it's ok to upgrade me but not my companion if there's only 1 F seat left. The last time that happened the agent ended up splitting the PNR, but it was the last segment of the return flight, so no harm done.

Agree with this- also, if I have the opportunity, I will move myself to the middle seat and my companion to the aisle so that if one of us gets upgraded, the remaining comfort seat is the aisle seat. This makes it much easier for me to give the upgrade to the companion.