Nov 8, 2015, 12:01 pm
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
Aug 14, 2023, 1:54 am
#121
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
I've read that splitting no longer happens unless you are upgraded at the gate even if you choose to stay upgrade eligible at check-in. But this has always been unclear to me since I rarely travel with companions.
I also read that benefits remain with the non-status/lower status companion even after splitting. This is also unclear to me. And if it survives to the return flight. (ie. If split on outbound, will non-status still be upgrade eligible?)
I had a post #661 a while back that never got any answers
Sep 26, 2023, 7:21 am
#122
Join Date: May 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1k, US ex-CP, NW silver, Marriott plat, SPG gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 421
I just booked flights for my family of 7 EWR-FCO for next year in economy. I applied mileage upgrades for the return to premium economy and will wait for my new plus points to arrive to apply for upgrades to polaris on the outbound. I am quite sure I won't get 7 to clear let alone to have 7 clear all at once. Reading here it sounds like I need to split up the reservation now to have any chance since they won't upgrade us individually? Assuming this will mess up all of our status and IRROPS support? I am 1k MM and my wife is my gifted 1k and thats it for status.
Sep 26, 2023, 8:22 am
#123
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
You're not likely to clear that many way in advance, but even if you split 4 and 3 your chances aren't great. I think you'll be fine in IRROPS with two PNRs each with a 1K though . . . there will be a challenge accommodating 7 regardless.
I might let it ride and figure that maybe you can all clear together when it's closer to flight time.
I might let it ride and figure that maybe you can all clear together when it's closer to flight time.
Sep 26, 2023, 2:00 pm
#124
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 20
Pluspoints question
Hello all,
OGG-LAX booked for 5 in economy, utilizing Pluspoints for all 5. 7 First class seats for sale 25 days out. Is it better for upgrading to split the res? If at least 2 don't get upgraded, I'll be in deep trouble with the Mrs. Thanks in advance. 1k although I don't think that matters.
Thanks,
Nathan
OGG-LAX booked for 5 in economy, utilizing Pluspoints for all 5. 7 First class seats for sale 25 days out. Is it better for upgrading to split the res? If at least 2 don't get upgraded, I'll be in deep trouble with the Mrs. Thanks in advance. 1k although I don't think that matters.
Thanks,
Nathan
Sep 26, 2023, 2:09 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,340
No need to worry about Mrs. nkh75: none of you will get the upgrade, is my prediction!
Sep 26, 2023, 2:16 pm
#127
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 20
If that were the likely scenario, understood, and I can just use miles for 1. Watching flights with that # of open first class seats frequently for my weekly flying, none clearing seems unlikely. My question I think still remains on whether splitting the res is beneficial.
Thanks,
Nathan
What's interesting is that there is at least 3 seats available in first every day from 9/27 to 10/20. Sounds like going 1/2/2 as 2 of the passengers are minors with the 1 being miles is the highest probability for clearing.
Thanks,
Nathan
What's interesting is that there is at least 3 seats available in first every day from 9/27 to 10/20. Sounds like going 1/2/2 as 2 of the passengers are minors with the 1 being miles is the highest probability for clearing.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 30, 2023 at 12:54 am Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Sep 26, 2023, 2:26 pm
#128
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Splitting won't help unless they open up multiple seats in advance, which is extra unlikely. And unless you have multiple 1Ks on PNR, your priority will drop. If you get inside 24 hours you'd all be as high up list as you could be, with PNR split if anyone clears.
Sep 26, 2023, 2:55 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,490
If you are looking at seat map, that 7 seats could be less, as not everyone already in F may have selected a seat. Regardless, with about a month to go, not looking too good. The odds are not with you regardless of the number you are seeking to upgrade.
Sep 26, 2023, 3:46 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,014
Yes, splitting the reservation will increase chances of someone getting upgraded. As long as you’re together, you will be passed over for people lower on the waitlist if PZ<5 opens. For example, if one upgrade seat is released, the first reservation on waitlist looking for 1 upgrade gets it. Not you or anyone on your reservation, who are looking for 5.
That being said, there’s no way 5 of you will be upgraded considering UA’s reduced F capacity to OGG. "If at least 2 don't get upgraded, I'll be in deep trouble with the Mrs..." - you might start thinking now how to diffuse the situation
That being said, there’s no way 5 of you will be upgraded considering UA’s reduced F capacity to OGG. "If at least 2 don't get upgraded, I'll be in deep trouble with the Mrs..." - you might start thinking now how to diffuse the situation
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Sep 26, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Sep 26, 2023, 4:06 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
What day of the week are we talking about? mrs. iapetus, the iapetus jrs. and I all cleared OGG-LAX on a Saturday afternoon back in July. I'm a 1K, and so is mrs. iapetus on account of my 1MM status.
Sep 26, 2023, 5:05 pm
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,014
Significant difference now. Non-stops east of West Coast are not running now. All F pax are routing through on reduced-schedule to OGG via LAX or SFO. The alternate is via HNL and HA to OGG. OP is wanting 5 seats w/ J7 25 days out - his vision is a mirage..
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Sep 26, 2023 at 5:20 pm