Nov 8, 2015, 12:01 pm
Last edit by: drewguy
For complimentary premier upgrades, United explains how they are handled for itineraries with more than one passenger:
If a reservation includes three or more travelers, and only one is not a Premier member, the Complimentary Premier Upgrades will be processed according to the lowest Premier status level in the reservation. If two or more travelers on the reservation are not Premier members, it will not be processed automatically. In these cases, Premier members should call the Premier Priority Desk to request a separate reservation for themselves and the eligible companion.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly.../upgrades.html
For elites, an itinerary for multiple passengers will remain together until ~T-24. If the upgrades clear before then, the PNR remains together. If they have not cleared by then, the PNR will be "split" when you check in for purposes of upgrades, with waitlist priority in accordance with above. Note: If there are only two passengers on the PNR, then United no longer splits the reservation automatically, and instead only if one (or both) of the passengers are upgraded. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...-upgraded.html
The splitting has consequences regarding eligibility for "inherited status" - i.e., baggage allowances, upgrade priority, boarding priority for passengers with lower status than the highest status passenger. I.e., as a formal matter the benefits of inherited status are lost (although E+ seats are usually retained or can be gotten back, baggage is usually granted, one can board with highest priority passenger). This also matters for the return.
This thread explains various scenarios and considerations as to whether it is desirable to split the PNR before T-24 and the consequences of having it happen.
Questions to consider:
1) Do you mind if not all passengers are upgraded? If you are willing to have some people remain in coach, then splitting increases your chances of an upgrade before T-24 because sometimes only one upgrade seat becomes available at a time. In such scenarios a group of 2+ will be skipped. If you can't be separated, don't split until forced to do so. If you really can't be separated, consider a call to UA to ask to be marked not for upgrades.
2) Once you get inside T-24 your PNR will be split, unless you make a special request that it not be. Each passenger will be placed on the upgrade list in accordance with the above. This doesn't matter much on the outbound flight unless there are IRROPS, in which case it may be tougher to get accommodation for all passengers.
3) On the return flight(s) the companions may no longer have the highest level of status of all passengers, including baggage allowances (E+ seats are usually retained). However, some recent reports are that companions retain the status of the highest passenger on the original PNR, even after it is split.
related threads
The stupid PNR auto-splitting at T-24 needs to stop
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2039553-no-more-splitting-pnrs-get-upgrade-list-but-still-split-if-upgraded.html
Splitting up partner airline award reservation
Archive thread : To split or not to split PNR {Archive}
Companion policy
One companion traveling on a paid ticket on the same reservation as a Premier member is eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select flights, and may be confirmed with the same priority as the Premier member, even on the day of departure. If the companion is a Premier member, the upgrade will be processed according to the highest Premier status level in the reservation.If a reservation includes three or more travelers, and only one is not a Premier member, the Complimentary Premier Upgrades will be processed according to the lowest Premier status level in the reservation. If two or more travelers on the reservation are not Premier members, it will not be processed automatically. In these cases, Premier members should call the Premier Priority Desk to request a separate reservation for themselves and the eligible companion.
For elites, an itinerary for multiple passengers will remain together until ~T-24. If the upgrades clear before then, the PNR remains together. If they have not cleared by then, the PNR will be "split" when you check in for purposes of upgrades, with waitlist priority in accordance with above. Note: If there are only two passengers on the PNR, then United no longer splits the reservation automatically, and instead only if one (or both) of the passengers are upgraded. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...-upgraded.html
The splitting has consequences regarding eligibility for "inherited status" - i.e., baggage allowances, upgrade priority, boarding priority for passengers with lower status than the highest status passenger. I.e., as a formal matter the benefits of inherited status are lost (although E+ seats are usually retained or can be gotten back, baggage is usually granted, one can board with highest priority passenger). This also matters for the return.
This thread explains various scenarios and considerations as to whether it is desirable to split the PNR before T-24 and the consequences of having it happen.
Questions to consider:
1) Do you mind if not all passengers are upgraded? If you are willing to have some people remain in coach, then splitting increases your chances of an upgrade before T-24 because sometimes only one upgrade seat becomes available at a time. In such scenarios a group of 2+ will be skipped. If you can't be separated, don't split until forced to do so. If you really can't be separated, consider a call to UA to ask to be marked not for upgrades.
2) Once you get inside T-24 your PNR will be split, unless you make a special request that it not be. Each passenger will be placed on the upgrade list in accordance with the above. This doesn't matter much on the outbound flight unless there are IRROPS, in which case it may be tougher to get accommodation for all passengers.
3) On the return flight(s) the companions may no longer have the highest level of status of all passengers, including baggage allowances (E+ seats are usually retained). However, some recent reports are that companions retain the status of the highest passenger on the original PNR, even after it is split.
related threads
The stupid PNR auto-splitting at T-24 needs to stop
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2039553-no-more-splitting-pnrs-get-upgrade-list-but-still-split-if-upgraded.html
Splitting up partner airline award reservation
Archive thread : To split or not to split PNR {Archive}
To split or not to split PNR
Mar 23, 2025 | 2:34 pm
#183
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,499
Should I split our party of four to two resi's now (me/Silver+non rev on one split) or just wait until check in? The same fare buckets as posted above are still intact.
Was unsure if I'd be considered for an earlier CPU if I had a non rev attached with me pre T-24? Maybe that rules me out prior to check in?
Was unsure if I'd be considered for an earlier CPU if I had a non rev attached with me pre T-24? Maybe that rules me out prior to check in?
Mar 23, 2025 | 8:25 pm
#184
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,634
So my reservation is with non-staus pax. Outbound CPU waitlisted on a short flight (SAN-LAX) and PlusPoints came through for the outbound international leg. But for the return we have an instrument upgrade waitlisted for the international leg and CPU waitlisted for the short flight (SFO-SAN).
I have instructed my friend not to checkin online but wait until we get to the airport and check in together. This is because a few years ago when traveling with another friend IRROPS occurred and they lost the instrument upgrade as the reservation was split due to the waitlist for the CPUs.
My main concern is the upgrade request (and baggage allowance) for the return. Is the best advice to cancel the automatic CPU waitlist on the outbound before T-24? Same for the return if the upgrade has not happened before T-24 for the return date?
Edit: outbound donestic short leg is a B fare and I am 1K so maps into PN, not PZ. Return domestic leg is a W fare.
I have instructed my friend not to checkin online but wait until we get to the airport and check in together. This is because a few years ago when traveling with another friend IRROPS occurred and they lost the instrument upgrade as the reservation was split due to the waitlist for the CPUs.
My main concern is the upgrade request (and baggage allowance) for the return. Is the best advice to cancel the automatic CPU waitlist on the outbound before T-24? Same for the return if the upgrade has not happened before T-24 for the return date?
Edit: outbound donestic short leg is a B fare and I am 1K so maps into PN, not PZ. Return domestic leg is a W fare.
Last edited by Aussienarelle; Mar 23, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Mar 24, 2025 | 8:47 am
#185
Flyertalk Evangelist, Moderator: United Airlines MileagePlus
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, UA Nostalgist, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 16,125
PNR split should keep the upgrade requests with priority; the main concern is that you can now clear one at a time if this is not a desirable outcome.
If you don't mind split clearance, I would let it split. While it's possible for that to cause a headache, 99% of the time it's fine.
If you don't mind split clearance, I would let it split. While it's possible for that to cause a headache, 99% of the time it's fine.
Mar 24, 2025 | 9:47 am
#186
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,573
Should I split our party of four to two resi's now (me/Silver+non rev on one split) or just wait until check in? The same fare buckets as posted above are still intact.
Was unsure if I'd be considered for an earlier CPU if I had a non rev attached with me pre T-24? Maybe that rules me out prior to check in?
Was unsure if I'd be considered for an earlier CPU if I had a non rev attached with me pre T-24? Maybe that rules me out prior to check in?
Mar 24, 2025 | 1:32 pm
#187
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,692
So my reservation is with non-staus pax. Outbound CPU waitlisted on a short flight (SAN-LAX) and PlusPoints came through for the outbound international leg. But for the return we have an instrument upgrade waitlisted for the international leg and CPU waitlisted for the short flight (SFO-SAN).
I have instructed my friend not to checkin online but wait until we get to the airport and check in together. This is because a few years ago when traveling with another friend IRROPS occurred and they lost the instrument upgrade as the reservation was split due to the waitlist for the CPUs.
My main concern is the upgrade request (and baggage allowance) for the return. Is the best advice to cancel the automatic CPU waitlist on the outbound before T-24? Same for the return if the upgrade has not happened before T-24 for the return date?
Edit: outbound donestic short leg is a B fare and I am 1K so maps into PN, not PZ. Return domestic leg is a W fare.
I have instructed my friend not to checkin online but wait until we get to the airport and check in together. This is because a few years ago when traveling with another friend IRROPS occurred and they lost the instrument upgrade as the reservation was split due to the waitlist for the CPUs.
My main concern is the upgrade request (and baggage allowance) for the return. Is the best advice to cancel the automatic CPU waitlist on the outbound before T-24? Same for the return if the upgrade has not happened before T-24 for the return date?
Edit: outbound donestic short leg is a B fare and I am 1K so maps into PN, not PZ. Return domestic leg is a W fare.
You could make a gametime decision and see where you are on the list at T-4. But given it's SAN-LAX it may not be worth the CPU for the possible risk that results from splitting. But once you're in LAX no further splitting will occur until the final CPU leg (or before, but again, do you really care about LAX-SAN?) Bottom line is you want to make sure friend keeps your status for the return int'l leg IMO
Mar 24, 2025 | 10:55 pm
#188
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,499
Oct 10, 2025 | 3:44 pm
#189
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 600
As I have said elsewhere, I'm a newly reminted 1K after a ~15 year hiatus. I vaguely recall when travelling with Mrs. PATRLR years ago PNR splitting causing us some headaches. I'd like to be sure I'm not about to get another headache...
Here is the situation:
I assume at this point our PNR has been split, is that right? And from reading posts here, the risk might only be in the event of IRROPs. Is that right?
If just one of us gets upgraded BDL-ORD, will that have any affect on the ORD-MSY upgrades? I seem to recall years ago, single upgrade on first leg caused the GM to fall off the upgrade list on the second leg (or something like that).
And of course, what have I missed here, is there something else I should be aware of or concerned about in this situation?
Thanks in advance!
Here is the situation:
- Mrs PATRLR is a GM, I'm 1K. Flying tomorrow (so within T-24 and we have checked in) BDL-ORD and then ORD-MSY.
- BDL-ORD, 1 J seat available and we are 1 and 2 on upgrade list using just CPU.
- ORD-MSY, 1 J seat available, we were 3 & 4 with CPU. After check in, I applied Plus points. Now we are 1&2 on the upgrade list.
I assume at this point our PNR has been split, is that right? And from reading posts here, the risk might only be in the event of IRROPs. Is that right?
If just one of us gets upgraded BDL-ORD, will that have any affect on the ORD-MSY upgrades? I seem to recall years ago, single upgrade on first leg caused the GM to fall off the upgrade list on the second leg (or something like that).
And of course, what have I missed here, is there something else I should be aware of or concerned about in this situation?
Thanks in advance!
Oct 10, 2025 | 5:09 pm
#190
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,692
The difference from years ago is that a PNR is split only if you get upgraded within 24 hours. Before that either you both are or both aren’t.
in theory your spouse should retain their position on the list, though that doesn’t always work. Sometimes they’ll fall to the bottom of the 1K list. Sometimes they might fall off (as GM) or to their status level.
if the return is a different PNR - do you book two one ways?
in theory your spouse should retain their position on the list, though that doesn’t always work. Sometimes they’ll fall to the bottom of the 1K list. Sometimes they might fall off (as GM) or to their status level.
if the return is a different PNR - do you book two one ways?
Oct 11, 2025 | 2:03 pm
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 17,996
Dec 13, 2025 | 3:39 pm
#192
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 143
A few questions, please. Some map to question above, but not fully.
We do want to (maybe have to?) sit in the same cabin.
Have been monitoring the flight for other days. United indeed wait with upgrades, even when PE and Polaris show *9.
So IF the system separates us, we will likely stay in E+.
- One PNR with my 12-year-old daughter. I am 1K, she is a general member.
- (SEA-) IAH-EZE
- Upgrade for IAH-EZE waitlisted for both of us (with miles, for both PE and Polaris).
- Both PE and Polaris have at least 9 seats for sale (seatmap shows more, but that may be meaningless).
- We are in positions 2 and 3, and 10 and 11 on the waitlist for PE and Polaris, respectively. Hence mildly optimistic that PE may clear (Polaris will not, seatmap only shows 10 seats open)
We do want to (maybe have to?) sit in the same cabin.
- Will our PNR autosplit at T-24?
- If so, T-24 from the first flight. Correct?
- Will that bounce my daughter down the waitlist, or will the system keep us adjacent since she is a minor?
- Do I check in at T-24 from the first flight, or do it at the airport? Does check-in trigger a/the PNR split? If “yes”, then waiting for T-24 seems prudent.
Have been monitoring the flight for other days. United indeed wait with upgrades, even when PE and Polaris show *9.
So IF the system separates us, we will likely stay in E+.
Jan 9, 2026 | 9:56 pm
#194
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,086
Select only the passengers you wish to break off to a new PNR.
Go thru selecting the new flights but do not confirm changes.
At this point you will find the PNR has been split.
Update: Some reports this no longer works
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 27, 2026 at 11:44 am Reason: Update: Some reports this no longer works
Jan 9, 2026 | 10:09 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 143
Call to 1k took care of it.