Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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. 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
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. 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
Splitting up partner airline award reservation
Archive thread : To split or not to split PNR {Archive}
To split or not to split PNR
#151
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Traveling with my non-elite Wife, SFO-HKG. I only have 40 plus points so had to apply for upgrade with miles+$$$ for both of us (you can't have one person on a PNR upgrading with a different instrument than others).
So, do I call to see if they can split the PNR and change my upgrade from miles to Plus Points before check-in, or after? Thanks!
So, do I call to see if they can split the PNR and change my upgrade from miles to Plus Points before check-in, or after? Thanks!
If the chance is great, UA may clear the upgrade list at T-36 h. Your question will become mute.
Good luck.
#152
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
Sorry, need to edit original post. We were already upgraded. Just want to switch from miles to PP on one passenger. Thanks!
#153
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
If there is PZ space, you can do it right away. If you do not mind putting on WL yourself (you have status) and PZ0, you can call to remove MUA and hopefully get the same seat back when upgrade is re-cleared. I guess that someone has experience with switch after the trip is completed, but I do not.
#154
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
If there is PZ space, you can do it right away. If you do not mind putting on WL yourself (you have status) and PZ0, you can call to remove MUA and hopefully get the same seat back when upgrade is re-cleared. I guess that someone has experience with switch after the trip is completed, but I do not.
Added: Should I ask in the Polaris lounge if it can be changed? Thanks!
Last edited by Mike Jacoubowsky; Dec 6, 2023 at 5:53 pm
#155
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,290
#156
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
Apologize for TMI. --Mike--
#157
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: ZRH
Programs: UA: 1K
Posts: 20
From: LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Question, if I want to strategize / optimize usage of plus points for 2 pax does it make sense to book separate PNRs so that each one can get upgraded once 1 upgrade space becomes available?
My understanding is if on one PNR and pluspoints applied to both, both can only be upgraded if 2 spaces become available at the same time? As these inventories can be released over time would seperate PNR have a "positive" impact here? Idea behind this is that if only one clears one can still choose to pay for the upgrade of the second?
Appreciate your feedback.
Question, if I want to strategize / optimize usage of plus points for 2 pax does it make sense to book separate PNRs so that each one can get upgraded once 1 upgrade space becomes available?
My understanding is if on one PNR and pluspoints applied to both, both can only be upgraded if 2 spaces become available at the same time? As these inventories can be released over time would seperate PNR have a "positive" impact here? Idea behind this is that if only one clears one can still choose to pay for the upgrade of the second?
Appreciate your feedback.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 9, 2024 at 1:22 pm
#158
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Upon check in for the outbound of a domestic flight, my traveling companion and I (same PNR) are number 3 and 4 on the WL. Flight is showing 19 of 20 booked, so not concerned about the upgrade as I’m sure it won’t happen. However, the return flight is still relatively open. Check in is giving me the “select travelers to add to the upgrade list” option with only my name available. Do I just make sure that’s not selected and “opt out” in order to not have the reservation split? What’s my best plan here?
I thought all of this splitting the reservation stuff had gotten fixed a while ago…apparently I haven’t traveled on the same PNR as a non-status member for a while. 😑
I thought all of this splitting the reservation stuff had gotten fixed a while ago…apparently I haven’t traveled on the same PNR as a non-status member for a while. 😑
#161
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Such as for CPU, it is the elite and 1 companion -- and need to be on just a two person PNR
For bags, boarding, security - yes
#163
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: ZRH
Programs: UA: 1K
Posts: 20
Hi all,
does anyone have experience with pluspoint upgrades on LH with more than 1 person on the PNR?
I.e. do both get upgraded at the same time only (i.e. if two upgrade spaces clearable) or does LH also upgrade 1 by 1 as it become available (with the risk of one person on the PNR staying in the booked class)?
And in summary: would it be advisable to book separate PNRs to max the odds of clearing (aware of the potential split during IROPs)?
Thanks a million
does anyone have experience with pluspoint upgrades on LH with more than 1 person on the PNR?
I.e. do both get upgraded at the same time only (i.e. if two upgrade spaces clearable) or does LH also upgrade 1 by 1 as it become available (with the risk of one person on the PNR staying in the booked class)?
And in summary: would it be advisable to book separate PNRs to max the odds of clearing (aware of the potential split during IROPs)?
Thanks a million