Aug 13, 2013, 12:23 am
Last edit by: Guate87
What is this whole PNR auto-splitting thing about?
First, you need to realize there are two separate upgrade waitlists. There's the advance upgrade waitlist, which runs periodically from your applicable upgrade window until about four hours before departure, and the airport waitlist, which is manually cleared by the gate agents about 30 minutes before departure.
The first waitlist can handle an elite and a companion automatically. If you're next in line for an upgrade and there are at least two upgradeable seats available, you'll both get the upgrade.
The second waitlist (the airport one) can only handle upgrading one traveler on a PNR. If there is more than one person in your reservation when you check in, you'll be asked if you want to either split the reservation if waitlisted for CPU or stay on the same reservation and decline being on the gate waitlist. For supported waitlisted upgrades (PPs or Miles) you will not be asked and it will split (without choice) at check-in.
Next, you need to be familiar with United's "auto-check-in" feature. If you select this option when you check in for your original outbound flight (depending on how you check in, it may automatically default to selecting this), then shortly after 24 hours before your return flight segment, you'll automatically be checked in and boarding passes will be electronically delivered to you. discontinued
If you opt for this and the system automatically checks you in, and if you have two people in your reservation, the system will automatically split your reservation. You and your companion will now be on two separate reservations, and you'll be waitlisted for an upgrade and your companion won't.
Why might splitting be bad?
[color=#000000]If your companions are not elite, they will no longer qualify for the elite benefits they inherited from you. That means no free baggage (including credit card companion bag benefit), no Economy Plus seating access (although they won't be booted out of E+ if they're already seated in it, barring irregular operations), no Premier Access, and potential issues in irregular operations as a result of being on a separate reservation (they may be rebooked on a separate flight from you without agent intervention). If you have TSA pre-check your family traveling with you on the same PNR can use the precheck line - which they cannot do if you split. And if you are traveling with children
First, you need to realize there are two separate upgrade waitlists. There's the advance upgrade waitlist, which runs periodically from your applicable upgrade window until about four hours before departure, and the airport waitlist, which is manually cleared by the gate agents about 30 minutes before departure.
The first waitlist can handle an elite and a companion automatically. If you're next in line for an upgrade and there are at least two upgradeable seats available, you'll both get the upgrade.
The second waitlist (the airport one) can only handle upgrading one traveler on a PNR. If there is more than one person in your reservation when you check in, you'll be asked if you want to either split the reservation if waitlisted for CPU or stay on the same reservation and decline being on the gate waitlist. For supported waitlisted upgrades (PPs or Miles) you will not be asked and it will split (without choice) at check-in.
Next, you need to be familiar with United's "auto-check-in" feature. If you select this option when you check in for your original outbound flight (depending on how you check in, it may automatically default to selecting this), then shortly after 24 hours before your return flight segment, you'll automatically be checked in and boarding passes will be electronically delivered to you. discontinued
If you opt for this and the system automatically checks you in, and if you have two people in your reservation, the system will automatically split your reservation. You and your companion will now be on two separate reservations, and you'll be waitlisted for an upgrade and your companion won't.
Why might splitting be bad?
[color=#000000]If your companions are not elite, they will no longer qualify for the elite benefits they inherited from you. That means no free baggage (including credit card companion bag benefit), no Economy Plus seating access (although they won't be booted out of E+ if they're already seated in it, barring irregular operations), no Premier Access, and potential issues in irregular operations as a result of being on a separate reservation (they may be rebooked on a separate flight from you without agent intervention). If you have TSA pre-check your family traveling with you on the same PNR can use the precheck line - which they cannot do if you split. And if you are traveling with children
The stupid PNR auto-splitting at T-24 needs to stop
Apr 26, 2012, 7:22 am
#106
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier
Posts: 782
Forget splitting PNRs at T-24, wife and I were split a month ago for a trip next July. When I asked why I got some mumbo jumbo about upgrade status... we are both PM Silver. We are both upgraded already on the outbound trip, we are both supposedly sitting together both ways but for the last two weeks the outbound (EWR-LAS) seat map has been unavailable. Oh well, it is likely our last flight on UA for a long long time...EWR to LHR in two weeks then EWR to LAS, both booked back in 2011.
Apr 26, 2012, 7:23 am
#107
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CLE or EWR or ORD
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 134
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This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
Apr 26, 2012, 7:37 am
#108
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: CO Platinum, too many hotel chain and car rental programs to list
Posts: 30
Due to the recent lack of travel requirements by my company and no personal travel (since Dec) due to the preparation for and birth of our new son!
I was kind of missing it, but honestly it seems like all this merger stuff has gone about as well as the launch of Crystal Pepsi. So maybe not having to deal with COUA or whatever we're calling it nowadays has been a privilege?
ANYWAY, I'd like to ask your advice on two things in the context of keeping the family seated TOGETHER.
1. We've got a flight scheduled DEN-DTW in mid-June. We're both on the same PNR. Equipment in CRJ-700. I'm 1P and my wife is GM. The baby will travel on our lap. Best advice to prevent a UDU for me?
2. We're traveling to SOF in August. Baby has an infant ticket (for int'l travel) attached to my rev ticket. Legs are DEN-IAD-MUC-SOF and back the same routing. My wife is on an award ticket. So our PNR's are actually already "split". Any advice on this situation?
I was kind of missing it, but honestly it seems like all this merger stuff has gone about as well as the launch of Crystal Pepsi. So maybe not having to deal with COUA or whatever we're calling it nowadays has been a privilege?
ANYWAY, I'd like to ask your advice on two things in the context of keeping the family seated TOGETHER.
1. We've got a flight scheduled DEN-DTW in mid-June. We're both on the same PNR. Equipment in CRJ-700. I'm 1P and my wife is GM. The baby will travel on our lap. Best advice to prevent a UDU for me?
2. We're traveling to SOF in August. Baby has an infant ticket (for int'l travel) attached to my rev ticket. Legs are DEN-IAD-MUC-SOF and back the same routing. My wife is on an award ticket. So our PNR's are actually already "split". Any advice on this situation?
2. Go to the "Manage Reservations" page on united.com once logged in and see if it will let you add your wife's reservation or your reservation if logged in as her by entering confirmation number and last name. If it appears in the list above then check the combine boxes and click "combine". Never tried this so not sure if it will work. Might be better off calling reservations on this one.
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This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 26, 2012 at 9:15 am Reason: merge
Apr 26, 2012, 8:07 am
#109
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Apr 26, 2012, 9:33 am
#110
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Plat
Posts: 435
I am sponsoring my brother and his wife (both no status) with an RPU, and it doesn't look like the upgrade is going to clear in advance (it's EWR-LAX, so our hopes for the upgrade were not very high to begin with, given the route).
Does anyone know if their PNR will split at OLCI if the upgrade request is not CPU but is through a sponsored instrument?
They are not used to the upgrade lottery and so I want to tell them about the possibility of the split (and their having to tell the gate not to upgrade just one of them, since they want to stay together), or maybe tell them to uncheck the mysterious "do you want to maximize your chances for an upgrade" button during OLCI. Not sure how it plays out at this point.
Thanks.
Does anyone know if their PNR will split at OLCI if the upgrade request is not CPU but is through a sponsored instrument?
They are not used to the upgrade lottery and so I want to tell them about the possibility of the split (and their having to tell the gate not to upgrade just one of them, since they want to stay together), or maybe tell them to uncheck the mysterious "do you want to maximize your chances for an upgrade" button during OLCI. Not sure how it plays out at this point.
Thanks.
Apr 26, 2012, 12:50 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 25
Tried to check in online for a flight with an international leg (memo to file: can't be done).
PNR was split for the whole trip. Would that have happened had we checked in at the airport? Will that create any problems during my trip? My wife and I are both 1Ps and we put in for an upgrade to business with miles, only one of which cleared. I called the MP line and apparently on her ticket there is a reference to deduct any miles from my account.
PNR was split for the whole trip. Would that have happened had we checked in at the airport? Will that create any problems during my trip? My wife and I are both 1Ps and we put in for an upgrade to business with miles, only one of which cleared. I called the MP line and apparently on her ticket there is a reference to deduct any miles from my account.
Apr 26, 2012, 12:58 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
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This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
This really makes sdc a pain...I got the 24-hr upgrade and split while my silver gets on the UG list. Anyway, we booked under my name (1k) simply to avoid the sdc fees, and we ended up paying $75 anyway for the silver. Frustrating.
In the PMCO days split passengers retained the benefits of the elite member after splitting. Now it's become a fight at the airport every time just to get the baggage benefit honored for split companions.
Apr 26, 2012, 12:59 pm
#113
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Hi petesamprs, at any point in time, you can call Reservations and they can add an indicator that designates you do not want to be upgraded (albeit, our call volumes are still higher than normal). That said, in this scenario, the system that processes upgrades in advance would skip your reservation anyway since you are a party greater than 2. Once you check in, it will ask you who you want to designate as your companion. If you select someone, you and that person would be split from the others in your party. If you don’t want to designate anyone, you will all stay together. For now, I’d also recommend that you opt-out of auto-return check-in when prompted.
Shannon
Shannon
Apr 26, 2012, 6:41 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mexico
Programs: UA 1K, AM Gold
Posts: 33
Upgraded without PNR split
I got a T-24 automatic upgrade notification on LAX-MEX UA274 (A319 so only 8 seats) a few days ago, e-mail and everything. I checked in online and found both pax on the reservation upgraded to R. Everything went really smoothly! Of course the system had been unable to accomodate seats together.
I was really happy to see this, and hopeful.
I'm 1K and my companion is Gold and I'm wondering if the fact that this happened at T-24 instead of earlier is because we were both lowered to her status?
I was really happy to see this, and hopeful.
I'm 1K and my companion is Gold and I'm wondering if the fact that this happened at T-24 instead of earlier is because we were both lowered to her status?
Apr 27, 2012, 3:10 am
#115
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 436
Update on my split issues outbound flight to OGG from SFO: I was upgrade T24 and she was not, at the airport there were about 20 names of passengers with higher status than hers waiting to upgrade. Once everyone boarded, her name was called and she too was then upgraded, though we did not get to sit with each other.
Upon the return, I was upgraded T72 hrs and she was stuck in Econ+, as all upgrades to first were full .. Overall it seems now that with the new upgrade system you decline it and sit together economy or one of you upgrade it and leave your companion behind in economy alone....united is totally shafting us with this companion upgrade using the néw system splitting passengers up and placing them on upgrade list separately by status and not together as before merger....
I'm sure they here it enough from passengers like us here on this topic, however, they have much to gain from our loss not getting companions upgraded together so I doubt they will change anything anytime soon
Upon the return, I was upgraded T72 hrs and she was stuck in Econ+, as all upgrades to first were full .. Overall it seems now that with the new upgrade system you decline it and sit together economy or one of you upgrade it and leave your companion behind in economy alone....united is totally shafting us with this companion upgrade using the néw system splitting passengers up and placing them on upgrade list separately by status and not together as before merger....
I'm sure they here it enough from passengers like us here on this topic, however, they have much to gain from our loss not getting companions upgraded together so I doubt they will change anything anytime soon
Apr 27, 2012, 3:36 am
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Impacts of PNR Splits on Million Miler Companions post 3/3
Can any 1MM - 4MM members comment if these PNR splits are affecting you and your +1 as well? Do your PNRs split as well? If so, does your companion follow your seat assignment?
David
David
Apr 27, 2012, 10:24 am
#117
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: BMG
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 226
Traveling with my wife from IND-EWR on 4/19, EWR-IND on 4/22...
Not upgraded prior to checkin. Chose to split PNRs to get on airport upgrade standby list. Both of us appeared next to each other on the list, but not high enough to get upgraded. Both boarding passes printed with Premier Access and boarding group 3.
Frustration was on return trip... ERJ145, so upgrades not an issue. Checked in at kiosk in EWR. My boarding pass printed with Premier Access and group 3; my wife's also had Premier Access but group 8.
I had to argue back and forth with the gate agent in order for my wife to be able to board with me in group 3. The agent wanted her to wait until group 8 was called. Ridiculous!
Not upgraded prior to checkin. Chose to split PNRs to get on airport upgrade standby list. Both of us appeared next to each other on the list, but not high enough to get upgraded. Both boarding passes printed with Premier Access and boarding group 3.
Frustration was on return trip... ERJ145, so upgrades not an issue. Checked in at kiosk in EWR. My boarding pass printed with Premier Access and group 3; my wife's also had Premier Access but group 8.
I had to argue back and forth with the gate agent in order for my wife to be able to board with me in group 3. The agent wanted her to wait until group 8 was called. Ridiculous!
Apr 27, 2012, 10:50 am
#118
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
How do you even find the PNR for the split off reservation. I was managing a trip for my wife and a friend who were together but their reservation split on the outbound checkin for the upgrade list. (Luckily their return upgrade got cleared first.) Now I can't find the friend's half of the reservation.
Apr 27, 2012, 11:12 am
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
How do you even find the PNR for the split off reservation. I was managing a trip for my wife and a friend who were together but their reservation split on the outbound checkin for the upgrade list. (Luckily their return upgrade got cleared first.) Now I can't find the friend's half of the reservation.
Apr 27, 2012, 12:21 pm
#120
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
Frustration was on return trip... ERJ145, so upgrades not an issue. Checked in at kiosk in EWR. My boarding pass printed with Premier Access and group 3; my wife's also had Premier Access but group 8.
I had to argue back and forth with the gate agent in order for my wife to be able to board with me in group 3. The agent wanted her to wait until group 8 was called. Ridiculous!
I had to argue back and forth with the gate agent in order for my wife to be able to board with me in group 3. The agent wanted her to wait until group 8 was called. Ridiculous!
That is just odd... I have never had any issues having any other people board with me early when I tell the GA they are with me.