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
Oct 26, 2022 | 6:59 pm
#61
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA LT Gold 1MM; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 254
Greetings everyone.
My wife and I have an upcoming trip in November already booked on a single PNR (I'm 1K and she is Gold). Outbound is EWR-MXP on an L fare and I've requested PP upgrades, none cleared as yet. We just found out there is a chance my wife may need to depart one day later due to a work obligation.
We've talked about possibly needing to split the PNR earlier in the week so that I could still fly to keep our stay reservations and she would meet me the next day - is it possible once the split occurs that we can change only her flight and she would still keep my associated 1K status? Or does the change cancel that and the PlusPoints already requested?
My wife and I have an upcoming trip in November already booked on a single PNR (I'm 1K and she is Gold). Outbound is EWR-MXP on an L fare and I've requested PP upgrades, none cleared as yet. We just found out there is a chance my wife may need to depart one day later due to a work obligation.
We've talked about possibly needing to split the PNR earlier in the week so that I could still fly to keep our stay reservations and she would meet me the next day - is it possible once the split occurs that we can change only her flight and she would still keep my associated 1K status? Or does the change cancel that and the PlusPoints already requested?
Oct 27, 2022 | 6:54 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 1,005
Hopefully you can get a better (correct) answer from the pros in here. However, my experience with a split PNR was recent. I believe after the split your wife keeps your status on the waitlist, at least that’s what happened to us. Probably because we applied the MUA before the split?
Initially 3 people on one PNR. Applied a MUA for all 3 to our inbound flight. Later we split the PNR so my wife and I could upgrade on the outbound flight (not enough miles for 3, $ neither
). On the inbound flight my daughter remained by herself on the split PNR (she has no status) but she was actually ahead of us on the wait list, but all 3 of us were together. I’m Gold and wife is Silver.
Initially 3 people on one PNR. Applied a MUA for all 3 to our inbound flight. Later we split the PNR so my wife and I could upgrade on the outbound flight (not enough miles for 3, $ neither
). On the inbound flight my daughter remained by herself on the split PNR (she has no status) but she was actually ahead of us on the wait list, but all 3 of us were together. I’m Gold and wife is Silver.
Nov 19, 2022 | 12:54 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
Instrument Upgrade w/ Split PNR at T-24
Apologies if this is in the wrong place - feel free to move. We've got 3 on a PNR (1 PP, 1 PG, 1 PS). Waitlisted for instrument upgrade to Business. Currently 3J left in the cabin. We've been top 3 on advance upgrade list for months (thanks to PP status of PNR originator). Question is, if we don't receive upgrade by T24, splitting into 3 PNRs during check-in is the best course of action? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we split PNR before T-24, we'll revert to our respective status, but if split at T-24 during check-in, we'll all retain our top place (unless higher status comes along) on both advance and gate upgrade list (i.e, PP for the purposes of the list)? We're all in Business for return, so I'm not worried about lost privileges for the next flight.
Nov 19, 2022 | 1:07 pm
#64
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 859
Apologies if this is in the wrong place - feel free to move. We've got 3 on a PNR (1 PP, 1 PG, 1 PS). Waitlisted for instrument upgrade to Business. Currently 3J left in the cabin. We've been top 3 on advance upgrade list for months (thanks to PP status of PNR originator). Question is, if we don't receive upgrade by T24, splitting into 3 PNRs during check-in is the best course of action? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if we split PNR before T-24, we'll revert to our respective status, but if split at T-24 during check-in, we'll all retain our top place (unless higher status comes along) on both advance and gate upgrade list (i.e, PP for the purposes of the list)? We're all in Business for return, so I'm not worried about lost privileges for the next flight.
My experience is it will not split at check-in automatically. If one person clears after check-in, it will automatically split the reservation and everyone will be reverted back to their own status which could move them down the list.
If the companions have no status, it retains the top status of the PNR before split.
Nov 19, 2022 | 1:37 pm
#65
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
While the system should work like you describe, I have recently experienced a conflicting data point.
My experience is it will not split at check-in automatically. If one person clears after check-in, it will automatically split the reservation and everyone will be reverted back to their own status which could move them down the list.
If the companions have no status, it retains the top status of the PNR before split.
My experience is it will not split at check-in automatically. If one person clears after check-in, it will automatically split the reservation and everyone will be reverted back to their own status which could move them down the list.
If the companions have no status, it retains the top status of the PNR before split.
Nov 19, 2022 | 1:52 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 859
Yes. And you don't get a choice. If you check-in with an instrument upgrade requested, it will automatically assume you want to split if a single person can clear. If you don't check-in however it's an all or nothing upgrade for everyone on the PNR.
Nov 19, 2022 | 2:02 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
I feel like I've read on here that if you opt against a T-24 split, your PNR won't be added/considered for the gate upgrade list. Or that might just be for CPUs, not instruments. Any truth to that?
Nov 19, 2022 | 2:26 pm
#68
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 859
Nov 19, 2022 | 2:34 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
And my last question (I promise). At T-24, instruments could still be auto-processed until we get to the gate list (T-4?). So not splitting at T-24 could also result in the PNR getting skipped over (versus an agent manually processing)? More or less a crapshoot, but appreciate the insight.
Nov 19, 2022 | 2:38 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 859
And my last question (I promise). At T-24, instruments could still be auto-processed until we get to the gate list (T-4?). So not splitting at T-24 could also result in the PNR getting skipped over (versus an agent manually processing)? More or less a crapshoot, but appreciate the insight.
Nov 19, 2022 | 2:48 pm
#71
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 62,226
Nov 20, 2022 | 10:13 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
So, safe to say PNR will auto-split at T-24 (being that we're still waitlisted for instrument at that point). Fingers crossed each PNR will retain highest status (PP) on the list? Premier agents on the phone can't even guarantee that's the case...
Dec 8, 2022 | 1:16 pm
#73
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 198
I could use some advice on whether to split or not and what the benefits and complications could be. Me (1K) and 2 family member companions (no status) traveling TATL in mid-Feb 2023 on R/T award (XN) on UA metal with just about all fare buckets showing 9. If I understand correctly at this point we are not eligible for CPU due to more than one companion. I have Chase Explorer card. Should I split one out to provide chance of CPU and if so what happens to the other traveler? Can I upgrade that traveler with $, miles, or +P?
Read a bit about this but haven't done it before and would rather not make a mistake.
Read a bit about this but haven't done it before and would rather not make a mistake.
Dec 8, 2022 | 1:49 pm
#74
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, Chase Club Infinite, Amex Plat
Posts: 50
I could use some advice on whether to split or not and what the benefits and complications could be. Me (1K) and 2 family member companions (no status) traveling TATL in mid-Feb 2023 on R/T award (XN) on UA metal with just about all fare buckets showing 9. If I understand correctly at this point we are not eligible for CPU due to more than one companion. I have Chase Explorer card. Should I split one out to provide chance of CPU and if so what happens to the other traveler? Can I upgrade that traveler with $, miles, or +P?
Read a bit about this but haven't done it before and would rather not make a mistake.
Read a bit about this but haven't done it before and would rather not make a mistake.
You can of course purchase an upgrade for the three of you, if available. If you only seek to purchase an upgrade for the non-status pax, the PNR will need to be spilt (you can't have different fare classes on the same PNR). If you waitlist on an instrument (Miles or PP), but split PNR before T-24, your non-status pax will very likely fall to bottom of the upgrade waitlist.
Dec 8, 2022 | 3:03 pm
#75
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 198