Nov 8, 15, 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. 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
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
To split or not to split PNR
Jul 31, 13, 8:45 am
#46
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You're not getting upgraded on that flight as a Gold and Silver.
When you check-in, say "no" to the upgrade possibility (and hence the splitting).
When you check-in, say "no" to the upgrade possibility (and hence the splitting).
Jul 31, 13, 9:26 am
#48
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The advice is the same - the only only way for you to have a chance of upgrades and not split is for you both to have been upgraded prior to OLCI.
What would I do? Split. It always works for me and my companion on the outbound with respect to still getting upgrades (you'll be treated as a Gold, right behind the GF). On the inbound, the companion drops from behind me to after all others in my elite status, so that can be an issue.
Jul 31, 13, 9:29 am
#49
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the gold might clear if you split, the silver probably wont.
depends on the fare class of the gold. V or higher, better chance, W or lower, probably less likely.
depends on the fare class of the gold. V or higher, better chance, W or lower, probably less likely.
Jul 31, 13, 11:42 am
#51
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,376
I never cleared EWR-LAX/SFO via CPU as 1K unless I am on YBM fare or using RPU. I have even failed numerous times with an RPU applied.
Advice to the OP, expect to fly in Y and go ahead with the OLCI. If you want to increase your odds slightly of having at least one of you clear, then split the PNR.
Splitting the PNR will not impact your ability to access the GFL, PNR does not matter when it comes to guesting into the GFL, it is the cabin and status of the person who has access to the lounge.
Advice to the OP, expect to fly in Y and go ahead with the OLCI. If you want to increase your odds slightly of having at least one of you clear, then split the PNR.
Splitting the PNR will not impact your ability to access the GFL, PNR does not matter when it comes to guesting into the GFL, it is the cabin and status of the person who has access to the lounge.
Jul 31, 13, 12:18 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,390
I never cleared EWR-LAX/SFO via CPU as 1K unless I am on YBM fare or using RPU. I have even failed numerous times with an RPU applied.
Advice to the OP, expect to fly in Y and go ahead with the OLCI. If you want to increase your odds slightly of having at least one of you clear, then split the PNR.
Splitting the PNR will not impact your ability to access the GFL, PNR does not matter when it comes to guesting into the GFL, it is the cabin and status of the person who has access to the lounge.
Advice to the OP, expect to fly in Y and go ahead with the OLCI. If you want to increase your odds slightly of having at least one of you clear, then split the PNR.
Splitting the PNR will not impact your ability to access the GFL, PNR does not matter when it comes to guesting into the GFL, it is the cabin and status of the person who has access to the lounge.
(By the way, if it's a weekend flight at certain times, you might get upgraded on EWR-SFO/LAX. Empty F and E+ cabins? A Silver has a long-shot chance, a Gold a bit better. Good luck!)
Oct 12, 13, 1:36 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 139
Better to split up reservation? CPU chances.
Quick question I can't seem to find the answer to.
Wife and I are both Premier Gold and we booked a reservation together IAH-DEN.
I did not split the reservation prior to the T-48 mark, however, I am wondering if I should have for upgrade reasons.
As I recall in the past I did not have to split up the reservation to get upgrades (it would upgrade one of us, both of us, or niether).
Does anyone know if it would have made any difference? 19 folks were upgraded and I have a hard time believing it is all GS/1k/Plat that got upgraded. I know Golds on higher fare codes would trump us as well. We are number 1-2 on the upgrade standby list with 4 people in the list total.
This is a Sunday afternoon flight and I can't imagine business travel would be high, however, I could be very wrong.
Thanks for any input you can offer.
Wife and I are both Premier Gold and we booked a reservation together IAH-DEN.
I did not split the reservation prior to the T-48 mark, however, I am wondering if I should have for upgrade reasons.
As I recall in the past I did not have to split up the reservation to get upgrades (it would upgrade one of us, both of us, or niether).
Does anyone know if it would have made any difference? 19 folks were upgraded and I have a hard time believing it is all GS/1k/Plat that got upgraded. I know Golds on higher fare codes would trump us as well. We are number 1-2 on the upgrade standby list with 4 people in the list total.
This is a Sunday afternoon flight and I can't imagine business travel would be high, however, I could be very wrong.
Thanks for any input you can offer.
Oct 12, 13, 2:12 pm
#56
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 63,121
Oct 16, 13, 4:22 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,290
Split PNR for CPU Clearance - seems like a bad move on hindsight?
I might just have made a big mess of my reservation. Companion and I (previously) on same PNR are within my Premier upgrade window and CPU cleared on 1/4 segments. I checked and this was the RN status:
Seg 1 RN1
Seg 2 RN2
Seg 3 RN4
Seg 4 CPU Cleared
I assumed (likely wrongly) that Seg 1 RN1 was the reason we were not upgraded on the other 3 remaining segments. Thus, I called in to split the PNR since Seg was F1 anyway so staying together would not have helped the CPU. I had hoped that splitting PNR would have cleared Segments 2 and 3.
- my CPU is still not processed despite being alone on a PNR with RN1 and within my upgrade window (I thought it would auto clear now that I am alone on the PNR?)
- agent assured me that my companion on his own new PNR would still keep my Premier status and the upgrade request (doesn't seem true, see below)
- agent said that having R/RN inventory available does not imply automatic CPU clearance (really?? in this case, why would anybody need to have ExpertFlyer track when R/RN opens up?)
- I just checked my companion's PNR and it no longer shows any upgrade requested for the 3 remaining segments
- do I have to call back to merge/unsplit the PNR?
Just started flying UA this year and totally new to CPUs.
How badly did I mess up, and how should I undo this mess? HUACA?
Seg 1 RN1
Seg 2 RN2
Seg 3 RN4
Seg 4 CPU Cleared
I assumed (likely wrongly) that Seg 1 RN1 was the reason we were not upgraded on the other 3 remaining segments. Thus, I called in to split the PNR since Seg was F1 anyway so staying together would not have helped the CPU. I had hoped that splitting PNR would have cleared Segments 2 and 3.
- my CPU is still not processed despite being alone on a PNR with RN1 and within my upgrade window (I thought it would auto clear now that I am alone on the PNR?)
- agent assured me that my companion on his own new PNR would still keep my Premier status and the upgrade request (doesn't seem true, see below)
- agent said that having R/RN inventory available does not imply automatic CPU clearance (really?? in this case, why would anybody need to have ExpertFlyer track when R/RN opens up?)
- I just checked my companion's PNR and it no longer shows any upgrade requested for the 3 remaining segments
- do I have to call back to merge/unsplit the PNR?
Just started flying UA this year and totally new to CPUs.
How badly did I mess up, and how should I undo this mess? HUACA?
Oct 16, 13, 4:30 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 13,437
I might just have made a big mess of my reservation. Companion and I (previously) on same PNR are within my Premier upgrade window and CPU cleared on 1/4 segments. I checked and this was the RN status:
Seg 1 RN1
Seg 2 RN2
Seg 3 RN4
Seg 4 CPU Cleared
I assumed (likely wrongly) that Seg 1 RN1 was the reason we were not upgraded on the other 3 remaining segments. Thus, I called in to split the PNR since Seg was F1 anyway so staying together would not have helped the CPU. I had hoped that splitting PNR would have cleared Segments 2 and 3.
- my CPU is still not processed despite being alone on a PNR with RN1 and within my upgrade window (I thought it would auto clear now that I am alone on the PNR?)
- agent assured me that my companion on his own new PNR would still keep my Premier status and the upgrade request (doesn't seem true, see below)
- agent said that having R/RN inventory available does not imply automatic CPU clearance (really?? in this case, why would anybody need to have ExpertFlyer track when R/RN opens up?)
- I just checked my companion's PNR and it no longer shows any upgrade requested for the 3 remaining segments
- do I have to call back to merge/unsplit the PNR?
Just started flying UA this year and totally new to CPUs.
How badly did I mess up, and how should I undo this mess? HUACA?
Seg 1 RN1
Seg 2 RN2
Seg 3 RN4
Seg 4 CPU Cleared
I assumed (likely wrongly) that Seg 1 RN1 was the reason we were not upgraded on the other 3 remaining segments. Thus, I called in to split the PNR since Seg was F1 anyway so staying together would not have helped the CPU. I had hoped that splitting PNR would have cleared Segments 2 and 3.
- my CPU is still not processed despite being alone on a PNR with RN1 and within my upgrade window (I thought it would auto clear now that I am alone on the PNR?)
- agent assured me that my companion on his own new PNR would still keep my Premier status and the upgrade request (doesn't seem true, see below)
- agent said that having R/RN inventory available does not imply automatic CPU clearance (really?? in this case, why would anybody need to have ExpertFlyer track when R/RN opens up?)
- I just checked my companion's PNR and it no longer shows any upgrade requested for the 3 remaining segments
- do I have to call back to merge/unsplit the PNR?
Just started flying UA this year and totally new to CPUs.
How badly did I mess up, and how should I undo this mess? HUACA?
You cannot un-split a split PNR.
Your companion will no longer carry your status, which is why he/she is not on list
ExpertFlyer is useful for looking for R inventory to use instruments (GPUs/RPUs) for upgrades. It is useless for CPU notification.
Upgrades do not necessarily appear at your upgrade window. If you get one, it could be when you are sitting in your coach seat and a GA comes and gets you. The wording on the upgrade window is: "As early as", not "at".
This will probably get moved to a very long existing thread...
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 16, 13 at 4:37 pm
Oct 16, 13, 4:31 pm
#59
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 260
Availability of R/RN space does not automatically guarantee clearance of CPU. CPU clears from either a subset of R/RN space or (more likely) from an unpublished fare class. Availability of R/RN only guarantees an upgrade that is supported by instruments (RPU/GPU) or miles. I hope other, more knowledgeable, FT members will be able to help you with your other questions.
Oct 16, 13, 4:43 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,290
CPUs do not come out of the R you see.
You cannot un-split a split PNR.
Your companion will no longer carry your status, which is why he/she is not on list
ExpertFlyer is useful for looking for R inventory to use instruments (GPUs/RPUs) for upgrades. It is useless for CPU notification.
Upgrades do not necessarily appear at your upgrade window. If you get one, it could be when you are sitting in your coach seat and a GA comes and gets you. The wording on the upgrade window is: "As early as", not "at".
This will probably get moved to a very long existing thread...
You cannot un-split a split PNR.
Your companion will no longer carry your status, which is why he/she is not on list
ExpertFlyer is useful for looking for R inventory to use instruments (GPUs/RPUs) for upgrades. It is useless for CPU notification.
Upgrades do not necessarily appear at your upgrade window. If you get one, it could be when you are sitting in your coach seat and a GA comes and gets you. The wording on the upgrade window is: "As early as", not "at".
This will probably get moved to a very long existing thread...
Will I be able to call in to link the 2 PNRs, and put my companion back on the CPU list piggy-backing on my premier status? Or do I have to wait until checkin at the airport?
I remember reading here that the auto-split at 24h led to members having to manually request PNR-link ups at the airport in order for non-elite companions to be put back on the upgrade waitlist; not sure if this can be done on the phone.
