Linking Reservations
Aug 26, 2024 | 10:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NYC/LAX/DEN
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 455
Linking Reservations
My friend (no status) and I are flying AAA-BBB-AAA on separate reservations. We are on the same flight for AAA-BBB, but on different flights (however on the same day) for BBB-AAA. I am planning on calling Delta to link the reservations together, so he can get the benefits (SkyPriority, upgrades, etc). This is all outlined on this page: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...llion-upgrades
My question is, will we still be allowed to link reservations, even though we are flying BBB-AAA at different times? If anyone can share their experiences with linking reservations, that would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Figured I ask the Flyertalk community before I potentially get the wrong information from an agent.
My question is, will we still be allowed to link reservations, even though we are flying BBB-AAA at different times? If anyone can share their experiences with linking reservations, that would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Figured I ask the Flyertalk community before I potentially get the wrong information from an agent.
Aug 26, 2024 | 11:10 am
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,998
My friend (no status) and I are flying AAA-BBB-AAA on separate reservations. We are on the same flight for AAA-BBB, but on different flights (however on the same day) for BBB-AAA. I am planning on calling Delta to link the reservations together, so he can get the benefits (SkyPriority, upgrades, etc). This is all outlined on this page: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...llion-upgrades
My question is, will we still be allowed to link reservations, even though we are flying BBB-AAA at different times? If anyone can share their experiences with linking reservations, that would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Figured I ask the Flyertalk community before I potentially get the wrong information from an agent.
My question is, will we still be allowed to link reservations, even though we are flying BBB-AAA at different times? If anyone can share their experiences with linking reservations, that would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Figured I ask the Flyertalk community before I potentially get the wrong information from an agent.
Aug 26, 2024 | 11:29 am
#3
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Have you compared the OW versus RT fares? It might make sense to book the outbound on a single PNR and then do separate tickets, with two different PNRs, for the return.
For many domestic routes, RTs price as twice the OW fare, while for most international routes, RTs are much cheaper.
For many domestic routes, RTs price as twice the OW fare, while for most international routes, RTs are much cheaper.
Aug 26, 2024 | 11:31 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,437
Yes, don't get your hopes up too much on a companion upgrade. The companion will be far down the list assuming that you did this due to companion having no status. I think if companion has any status, they will clear at their level/window and not your level. (I think this is still the case)
Aug 26, 2024 | 11:54 am
#5
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles
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Linking isn't really a thing. It's a manual entry in your record that might be reviewed by a human if you're affected by irrops. However, nothing that is automated will see the "link."
Also, linking only "works" (if you want to call it that) if you're on an identical itinerary.
Also, linking only "works" (if you want to call it that) if you're on an identical itinerary.
Aug 26, 2024 | 12:20 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NYC/LAX/DEN
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 455
Have you compared the OW versus RT fares? It might make sense to book the outbound on a single PNR and then do separate tickets, with two different PNRs, for the return. For many domestic routes, RTs price as twice the OW fare, while for most international routes, RTs are much cheaper.
Yes, don't get your hopes up too much on a companion upgrade. The companion will be far down the list assuming that you did this due to companion having no status. I think if companion has any status, they will clear at their level/window and not your level. (I think this is still the case)
Linking isn't really a thing. It's a manual entry in your record that might be reviewed by a human if you're affected by irrops. However, nothing that is automated will see the "link." Also, linking only "works" (if you want to call it that) if you're on an identical itinerary.
Aug 26, 2024 | 12:33 pm
#7
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Yes you can 'link' which is essentially cross-referencing the PNRs. You can also request companion upgrade for another pax traveling on the same flight(s) as you. Even thought on separate PNRs, you can extend free checked bag to them if you check in with them at the airport, and you can have them board with you etc.
Regarding the upgrade, the key here is that from my recent experience with a non-status member travling with an elite member, agents know how to 'link' the PNRs but don't know how to request the upgrade properly... so you will have a difficult time getting their upgrade requested and it actually happening.
Regarding the upgrade, the key here is that from my recent experience with a non-status member travling with an elite member, agents know how to 'link' the PNRs but don't know how to request the upgrade properly... so you will have a difficult time getting their upgrade requested and it actually happening.
Aug 26, 2024 | 12:39 pm
#8
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I'm not sure how much stock I would put in what is said on DL website actually reflecting reality. Companion on same reservation definitely clears at same time and priority as the Medallion. My impression is that companions on separate reservations clear independently and not necessarily at same priority. Perhaps someone with more experience with companions on separate reservations can comment. Also, it seems both companion and Medallion must be on "paid" reservations to link separate reservations for upgrades (and system will not allow mixing award and revenue fares with companion upgrades on separate reservations). There used to be some language to this effect, but it doesn't seem to be there any more.
Last edited by xliioper; Aug 26, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Aug 26, 2024 | 2:19 pm
#9
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IIRC companion upgrades still require that the companion's DL FF number be on the PNR. I also remember a perverse rule--which might have been changed--saying that nonelite companions cleared at the elite's status level, but elite companions cleared ar their own status levels, which seemed to suggest that it was better for the companion to have no status at all.
Aug 26, 2024 | 2:26 pm
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2016
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What's also weird is that linked companions don't get complimentary C+ upgrades, but will for everything else. This web page seems to be pretty up to date, as it includes the new RUC/GUC rules regarding domestic Delta One.
Aug 26, 2024 | 2:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,437
Again, getting upgrades are difficult enough these days, I wouldn't expect much unless it is an off day or off market.
Last edited by emma dog; Aug 26, 2024 at 6:42 pm Reason: Fix the quote formatting
Aug 29, 2024 | 1:05 am
#12
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Companions on separate PNRs must be linked to get companion UGs. Must be a paid reservation.
If companion is non elite then they clear at your window/priority.
This worked well for me the other day, we both cleared at the gate on top of a long list - companion was #2 below me.
If companion is non elite then they clear at your window/priority.
This worked well for me the other day, we both cleared at the gate on top of a long list - companion was #2 below me.