The stupid PNR auto-splitting at T-24 needs to stop
 

There were 5 of us on 3 different PNRs for flights home tomorrow (done so to maximize UG chances and make sure we had bags covered). I did auto-check in for the flight home, but nowhere did I agree to split PNRs at T-24. Lo and behold, we're now on 5 different PNRs (one of whom is a minor), and of course the new ones didn't show up in my account (had to log in under their MP numbers to find the info).

How do we stop this in the future? An incredibly annoying "feature" IMO.

I wish there was a way to just opt out of the UG mess. If I'm travelling with my wife and kid, I don't want it, I just want to sit with them. And once they get split into all the little itty bitty PNRs, all h*** breaks loose if there's any change of aircraft or irrops that requires new seat assignments. Yuck.

Anyone else know how to trick this stupid system into not splitting?

The system asked me specifically if I wanted to split for upgrades. Are you positive you didn't see that before clicking through?

I actually do remember seeing that, and specifically did NOT elect to split as 1) my PNR companion is a GM, so I wanted to keep us together, and 2) we've already been upgraded on the 1,700 mile leg and didn't need to press for an upgrade on the 400 mile leg, esp. as it's an E70 so a small Y/C delta.

Don't use auto-check in.

I know that calling and telling UA doesn't do squat. A couple weeks ago I was flying with my family (including 3 children). After making my reservation online I called and after being on hold FOREVER, specifically told the agent to keep me off the upgrade list so I could stay with my family. Of course, I got upgraded and couldn't get my original seat back. So once on the plane it took some juggling to get us all kinda together (there were all families around us so giving away a first class seat was a lot harder than I thought).

As I've mentioned before, I fully realize UA doesn't care about 1K's (or most any individual, for that matter), so the screw-up doesn't surprise me. I'm already at 50k qualifying miles for the year so with zero worry about keeping my status I've already started flying AA and SWA.

I didn't use it and the freaking system split us (both 1K MM) anyway. Irrops ensued and we became ensnarled in a cluster of the highest order as a result.

deek

I also hate the auto-split. Why is it so hard to keep two pax on one PNR?

Agree - this is a cluster
 

My former 1P now GM son and I got split in the process of going SEA-SFO-HNL last month. The result was that I got upgraded and he didn't and I couldn't decline it and stay seated with him. OK - he got NF and I got exit row. Bad as the "1 traveling companion on the same PNR" rule was clearly violated.

Problem: once split, the PNRs are split. So the return was a cluster in every possible way. Is this a pmCO thing?? No matter, it NEEDS TO STOP.:td::mad::td:

Why? because CO's vastly inferior SHARES system can't handle >1 person on a record for EUA purposes.

+1
traveling with partner who is also gold, upgrade confusion on board after we had already boarded in coach. Both asked if we wanted to move up front at separate times after we were seated in exit row. Both declined individually but had we known we probably both should have been upgraded. Checked return today and our res is split without permission. Declined auto check in on return. What a pita.

The PNR auto-splitting was amusing a couple weeks ago when I travelled with my infant daughter who had her own seat. I got upgraded and she was stuck in coach. Resulted in more work for the check-in agent to fix. Same thing happened on the return, since the PNR was already split.

Wasn't aware of this. Does the system still split the PNR if both passengers have been upgraded prior to T-24?

And after the split, does the non-elite passenger still get placed on the upgrade list? If so, is it based on the status of the elite member?

IME, after split, the non-elite pax does not get placed on the upgrade list automatically. A request to add a companion to the upgrade list on the day of travel usually is met with the response "you can't do it" because the UC agent or the gate agent does not know how to to do it.