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
Jul 6, 2022 | 5:19 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 139
Traveling EWR > STT with 3 non-status family members on Sunday and just looking to double check this beforehand. I have Gold status so everyone receives 2 free checked bags. When I go to check in, if I split the PNR in order to have a chance at the upgrade, will the rest of my family lose their 2 free checked bags because we are no longer on the same reservation? Im wondering this for both the flight there and return flight home. Its paramount that they get the free bags, but I also would love to get the upgrade if I can.
Jul 6, 2022 | 11:01 am
#47
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,083
... So say you get upgraded on the way out, then on the way back there’s irops. Could get you into real trouble. After my own recent PNR split debacle upgrading my family but not myself (no good deed goes unpunished), I vowed I will NEVER do that again. Not worth it. Enjoy being with your family on the flight.
*** Prior Issue ***
Looked up your earlier posts and most issues were addressed, to repeat
...
No good deed goes unpunished. Getting the CPU’s meant we were all split into separate itineraries. So now for our remaining travel on this trip, all of our kids: 1) Can’t check in until we are at the airport (minors on individual tickets). 2) Don’t get free E+ 3) Don’t get free checked bags 4) Don’t get TSA pre-check. 5) Get boarding group 4. Absolutely was not worth the upgrades. And honesty kind of mind-blowing to me there’s this glaring problem in the process. ...
No good deed goes unpunished. Getting the CPU’s meant we were all split into separate itineraries. So now for our remaining travel on this trip, all of our kids: 1) Can’t check in until we are at the airport (minors on individual tickets). 2) Don’t get free E+ 3) Don’t get free checked bags 4) Don’t get TSA pre-check. 5) Get boarding group 4. Absolutely was not worth the upgrades. And honesty kind of mind-blowing to me there’s this glaring problem in the process. ...
2) Yes, you get free E+ on separate PNRs but requires a call
3) Yes, you get the bag allowance but you need to specifically ask the agent to check the PNR history
4) Children 12 and under can accompany their parent thru PreCheck without have the precheck sysmbol. The over 12 childern, surprized they get that on a common PNR, TSA has gotten stricter about companions needing their own PreCheck (except for 12 and under)
5) High boarding group groups can board with those having lower boarding groups
So splitting PNR requires a bit more manual effort but most issues addressable with a little knowledge (the purpose of this thread).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 6, 2022 at 11:22 am Reason: Prior issue
Jul 10, 2022 | 7:51 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: Various between 2p & 1K, currently Gold
Posts: 8,889
I'm going through a lot of nonsense trying to fix what UA broke by delaying my flight an hour, missing my MUC-LYS connection. Hoping to get the destination changed to MRS so I can still get to where I need to go in time, but UA is saying they can't do that, talk with LH. And now I just looked and discovered the two different PNRs. I have a different thread for the destination change request. Thanks-
Jul 11, 2022 | 11:49 pm
#49
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,083
But if you're not looking for it, how do you know when it was split? I'm annoyed that somebody, not me, split the PNR my son and I are on, and due to irrops, I now have to deal with two different PNRs, one of which may or may not have the same status that I have (I'm Plat, he's non-elite). I don't know why it split, unless it was because one seat in Biz had opened up and the only way to put one of us in Biz and the other in PE would have required splitting? Which in the end wasn't needed, *if* that was the case, since I passed on the Biz ugrade and stayed in PE with him. ...
Jul 31, 2022 | 6:21 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
I am on a United reservation with myself (Plat), mother (gold), dad (silver), and four other family members w/o status (general members). We are all seated in economy plus. We are headed to/from Europe connecting both ways in the US on an all-United metal itinerary.
The first flight is coming up and is J9 and 10 seats showing unreserved in first. Would love to hear any advice and recommendations on how to split the PNR (never done before). Can I call United and split before into two groups: myself and one general member passenger, and then my mother, father, and three remaining general member passengers? It sounds like if before T24, the auto upgrades would skip my big group in preference for reservations of two or less? The additional complication is that the second group has a gold and silver together - what does that do for upgrades?
The return domestic leg is currently J6 with six unassigned seats (weeks out) but it'll just end up working however we figure out the PNRs above.
Thanks!
The first flight is coming up and is J9 and 10 seats showing unreserved in first. Would love to hear any advice and recommendations on how to split the PNR (never done before). Can I call United and split before into two groups: myself and one general member passenger, and then my mother, father, and three remaining general member passengers? It sounds like if before T24, the auto upgrades would skip my big group in preference for reservations of two or less? The additional complication is that the second group has a gold and silver together - what does that do for upgrades?
The return domestic leg is currently J6 with six unassigned seats (weeks out) but it'll just end up working however we figure out the PNRs above.
Thanks!
Jul 31, 2022 | 6:41 pm
#51
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,083
The first flight is coming up and is J9 and 10 seats showing unreserved in first. Would love to hear any advice and recommendations on how to split the PNR (never done before). Can I call United and split before into two groups: myself and one general member passenger, and then my mother, father, and three remaining general member passengers? It sounds like if before T24, the auto upgrades would skip my big group in preference for reservations of two or less? The additional complication is that the second group has a gold and silver together - what does that do for upgrades? ...
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.
Jul 31, 2022 | 6:58 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Jul 31, 2022 | 7:03 pm
#53
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,083
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.
Aug 2, 2022 | 11:17 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Me (plat) and one general member
Mom (gold), dad (silver), and three general members
Aug 2, 2022 | 11:21 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,778
I split into two PNRs/reservations and my reservation does not show CPU eligibility for any of the all-US domestic legs. Should it automatically show up? We decided not to split the other group up.
Me (plat) and one general member
Mom (gold), dad (silver), and three general members
Me (plat) and one general member
Mom (gold), dad (silver), and three general members
If still not showing, changing seats might get it to come back.
Otherwise, my best guess for what to try is call and ask if agent can remove and re-add MP#.
edit: afterthought, if you have pluspoints, might try applying them and then removing them (assuming PZ0).
Aug 2, 2022 | 11:48 am
#57
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,691
I split into two PNRs/reservations and my reservation does not show CPU eligibility for any of the all-US domestic legs. Should it automatically show up? We decided not to split the other group up.
Me (plat) and one general member
Mom (gold), dad (silver), and three general members
Me (plat) and one general member
Mom (gold), dad (silver), and three general members
The other PNR will not be CPU eligible because you don't have enough elites to support three GMs. You would need to split off one GM, or split again with gold+gm and silver+gm and then a lone GM. On the other hand, as a gold a CPU is highly unlikely to clear, and even less likely a silver so it may not be worth the complications this creates for reservation management.
Aug 2, 2022 | 2:25 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Sometimes icon doesn't show until you reload the reservation. I assume you did that at least once already, though.
If still not showing, changing seats might get it to come back.
Otherwise, my best guess for what to try is call and ask if agent can remove and re-add MP#.
edit: afterthought, if you have pluspoints, might try applying them and then removing them (assuming PZ0).
If still not showing, changing seats might get it to come back.
Otherwise, my best guess for what to try is call and ask if agent can remove and re-add MP#.
edit: afterthought, if you have pluspoints, might try applying them and then removing them (assuming PZ0).
You and GM should be CPU eligible
The other PNR will not be CPU eligible because you don't have enough elites to support three GMs. You would need to split off one GM, or split again with gold+gm and silver+gm and then a lone GM. On the other hand, as a gold a CPU is highly unlikely to clear, and even less likely a silver so it may not be worth the complications this creates for reservation management.
The other PNR will not be CPU eligible because you don't have enough elites to support three GMs. You would need to split off one GM, or split again with gold+gm and silver+gm and then a lone GM. On the other hand, as a gold a CPU is highly unlikely to clear, and even less likely a silver so it may not be worth the complications this creates for reservation management.
Aug 4, 2022 | 8:26 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,472
Sometimes icon doesn't show until you reload the reservation. I assume you did that at least once already, though.
If still not showing, changing seats might get it to come back.
Otherwise, my best guess for what to try is call and ask if agent can remove and re-add MP#.
edit: afterthought, if you have pluspoints, might try applying them and then removing them (assuming PZ0).
If still not showing, changing seats might get it to come back.
Otherwise, my best guess for what to try is call and ask if agent can remove and re-add MP#.
edit: afterthought, if you have pluspoints, might try applying them and then removing them (assuming PZ0).
Updated: it shows me and my GM family member on the waitlist even though my reservation page didn't show the CPU-eligible. I think it looks good to get upgraded. Cross fingers.
Last edited by CApreppie; Aug 7, 2022 at 1:24 pm
Aug 10, 2022 | 5:51 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 1,006
Thinking about splitting PNR with 3 people into 2+1, since my wife and I (Silver and Gold respectively), have a better chance of upgrading via a MUA on the outbound flight rather than the 3 of us (3rd person has no status). I have already applied a MUA to the inbound for all 3 of us on the current PNR and we're on the waitlist. Miles and $s came from my accounts. Outbound: IAH-ORD-FRA-Schengen. Inbound: Schengen-MUC-IAH. Inter Schengen flights are on LH.
Questions:
If I split the PNR on the outbound and apply a MUA for IAH-ORD-FRA, will the inbound upgrade request still be there for the 3 of us? I think the 3rd person will be further down on the waitlist after the split due to no status and it being separate from my Gold status?
If the inbound upgrades do not clear will I still get a refund of the miles and $s back to my account, more specifically for the 3rd person now on a separate PNR?
This is more of a curiosity rather than something I'll do, can I still buy up to First on the IAH-ORD segment even though I applied a MUA? Will the buy-up be visible?
Also, will this affect the LH PNR, will it be split as well? Fare class changes, complications? Have not changed anything on the LH flights yet.
Questions:
If I split the PNR on the outbound and apply a MUA for IAH-ORD-FRA, will the inbound upgrade request still be there for the 3 of us? I think the 3rd person will be further down on the waitlist after the split due to no status and it being separate from my Gold status?
If the inbound upgrades do not clear will I still get a refund of the miles and $s back to my account, more specifically for the 3rd person now on a separate PNR?
This is more of a curiosity rather than something I'll do, can I still buy up to First on the IAH-ORD segment even though I applied a MUA? Will the buy-up be visible?
Also, will this affect the LH PNR, will it be split as well? Fare class changes, complications? Have not changed anything on the LH flights yet.