Feb 3, 2024, 8:57 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread isTo split or not to split PNR
To split or not to split PNR {Archive}
Jul 17, 2019, 9:04 am
#466
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,395
I believe it was always split at check-in, not T-24. The sweep running at T-(24+ε) just tagged the PNR with the appropriate WLPx SSR code which notified the check-in code to split the PNR and process the addition to the upgrade standby list at the corresponding priority. The check-in interface has an option to decline this for CPU priority but nobody every added it for SSR-driven upgrades. Technically you could still check in without the split, but you would need to find an agent who knows what an SSR code is (and you the pax probably need to be able to tell them that it's an SSR issue) and how to remove it from the PNR manually before processing the check-in. If you managed to do this, you would not be added to the upgrade standby list (though theoretically could still clear off of the PZ waitlist process prior to gate control).
Jul 17, 2019, 9:20 am
#467
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
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OK, fair enough. So, for the optimistic, when an instrument is applied, delaying check-in to the airport would give the greatest possible chance to clear together, but makes it extremely difficult (read: not likely) to keep the reservation from being split if the upgrades don't clear in advance.
Jul 17, 2019, 11:19 am
#468
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Sorry if this is repeating what folks already know, but new to me. Checked in online (computer, not mobile) for 3-pax itin, one elite (myself). Alerted me to the ability to designate only one companion for upgrades, which it then allowed me to choose from a drop down. I selected one of my companions. The reservation was then split into three PNRs, but my selected companion appeared on the upgrade list with me (just below), and for the return trip also has "CPU requested" (or whatever the language is) showing. It's not clear whether I can move that companion to a different E+ seat online. We'll see if on the return companion appears on upgrade list with me, and where.
The only hiccup was that while the separated non-companion's PNR showed in my account, the retained companion didn't, so I had to log into companion (child's) MP account to get the info to complete checkin. Not sure why I could see one but not the other.
So, so far this seems like exactly the type of behavior that should happen, so long as my designated companion actually retains my status for upgrades. The E+/baggage issue is a possible hassle, but I guess is the cost of having a chance at an upgrade (which in this case is pretty low, with 10/12 booked).
The only hiccup was that while the separated non-companion's PNR showed in my account, the retained companion didn't, so I had to log into companion (child's) MP account to get the info to complete checkin. Not sure why I could see one but not the other.
So, so far this seems like exactly the type of behavior that should happen, so long as my designated companion actually retains my status for upgrades. The E+/baggage issue is a possible hassle, but I guess is the cost of having a chance at an upgrade (which in this case is pretty low, with 10/12 booked).
Also, answering my earlier question about asking about UG list for CPU, it still asked and I was able to say no and keep the PNR intact.
Jul 17, 2019, 11:25 am
#469
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Did the Child show as an option to add to the upgrade list? I have seen consistently when I'm traveling with my son (8), that, during mobile check-in, it asks about putting people on the UG list and only lists me. If we are traveling with my wife (also MP Gold), then it shows the two of us and not my son. I realize that it's not really a problem as I don't want the PNR split, so I don't put myself on the UG list. It just seems to be strange behavior.
Also, answering my earlier question about asking about UG list for CPU, it still asked and I was able to say no and keep the PNR intact.
Also, answering my earlier question about asking about UG list for CPU, it still asked and I was able to say no and keep the PNR intact.
Though if you and wife are gold you should all be eligible for upgrades (son is companion for one of you). Seems odd he couldn't be a companion for either of you.
I checked in using website though, because the mobile app has been a problem in the past. I may try it next time though . . .
Jul 17, 2019, 12:44 pm
#470
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Yes, but child is 15+ so could sit alone. I've not had a problem even when under 15 having her on UG list with me without spouse (either when getting the split right or traveling without spouse).
Though if you and wife are gold you should all be eligible for upgrades (son is companion for one of you). Seems odd he couldn't be a companion for either of you.
I checked in using website though, because the mobile app has been a problem in the past. I may try it next time though . . .
Though if you and wife are gold you should all be eligible for upgrades (son is companion for one of you). Seems odd he couldn't be a companion for either of you.
I checked in using website though, because the mobile app has been a problem in the past. I may try it next time though . . .
Jul 25, 2019, 3:47 pm
#471
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
So reporting back - I think United may have fixed the mess created for splitting.
3 pax RT itin, I'm the only elite. When I checked in online for first flight, it asked which companion I wished to designate as my "companion". Reservation split into 3 PNRs. My designated companion appeared on upgrade list right below me. However, all three passengers had BG 1.
On return, my designated companion *also* appeared right next to me on UG list, and all three of us had BG1 status. In addition, I was able to switch E+ seats for my other companion without getting a charge for it, which used to be the case.
So, it seems that UA properly allows all pax on the original PNR to retain the elite benefits "inherited" from the status passenger, and only limits the CPU benefit to one pax. This is a very positive step if others can verify it.
3 pax RT itin, I'm the only elite. When I checked in online for first flight, it asked which companion I wished to designate as my "companion". Reservation split into 3 PNRs. My designated companion appeared on upgrade list right below me. However, all three passengers had BG 1.
On return, my designated companion *also* appeared right next to me on UG list, and all three of us had BG1 status. In addition, I was able to switch E+ seats for my other companion without getting a charge for it, which used to be the case.
So, it seems that UA properly allows all pax on the original PNR to retain the elite benefits "inherited" from the status passenger, and only limits the CPU benefit to one pax. This is a very positive step if others can verify it.
Jul 25, 2019, 9:50 pm
#472
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: IAH
Programs: UA
Posts: 604
So reporting back - I think United may have fixed the mess created for splitting.
So, it seems that UA properly allows all pax on the original PNR to retain the elite benefits "inherited" from the status passenger, and only limits the CPU benefit to one pax. This is a very positive step if others can verify it.
So, it seems that UA properly allows all pax on the original PNR to retain the elite benefits "inherited" from the status passenger, and only limits the CPU benefit to one pax. This is a very positive step if others can verify it.
Jul 28, 2019, 8:51 am
#473
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
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Posts: 31,006
Apologies if this has been answered - I only have my phone and gave up after painfully reading 20 pages.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
Jul 28, 2019, 9:35 am
#474
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Apologies if this has been answered - I only have my phone and gave up after painfully reading 20 pages.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
Jul 28, 2019, 9:46 am
#475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Apologies if this has been answered - I only have my phone and gave up after painfully reading 20 pages.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
Jul 28, 2019, 11:05 am
#476
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Apologies if this has been answered - I only have my phone and gave up after painfully reading 20 pages.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
I rarely fly UA, but have Silver status via Marriott. On our flight down to STT, the gate agent split the records for me and MsCP and we upgraded the IAD-STT leg.
Our return is 2 days away, sitting in E with plenty of E+ seats available. As of now, the only way to change E seats is to go in and manage reservations/change seats one at a time.
At T-24, will MsCP keep my status and be able to select an E+ seat? Will I be able to change both seats at the same time, online? Or will I risk changing one of two and someone else takes the seat next to it before I get to the other record?
I assume we’ll be on the upgrade list together, though we may be split with one upgraded, correct? Only one checked bag, so no issue there.
What you mention is a risk (that exists even if the reservation isn't split), but I suggest you both have the United app, log into your respective accounts, and then choose seats roughly simultaneously.
Jul 29, 2019, 6:28 pm
#477
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,126
Any other data points on if inheriting status is now staying intact when splitting?
Have 3 seats left and two of us with RPUs (me 1K; SO Gold). E+ looks quite empty but since it's an A320 probably need to split if they clear one at a time. Don't want to mess up the return though. Wondering if I should wait until T-24 and then check-in and split then or just split closer to T-36.
Have 3 seats left and two of us with RPUs (me 1K; SO Gold). E+ looks quite empty but since it's an A320 probably need to split if they clear one at a time. Don't want to mess up the return though. Wondering if I should wait until T-24 and then check-in and split then or just split closer to T-36.
Jul 29, 2019, 8:25 pm
#478
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: 66,846
Jul 30, 2019, 1:29 am
#479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
I recently flew LAX-SEA via SFO on July 12th and back on July 20th with mrs. iapetus and the iapetus jrs. Thinking primarily about maximizing our upgrade chances, I split the PNR: my wife and son on one, my daughter and me on the other. mrs. iapetus, owing to my 1 MM status is also a 1K. None of us cleared on either outbound leg at T-96h. And, at check-in, all four reservations got split.
At T-96h everyone but my son cleared SEA-SFO on the return. And we all cleared SFO-LAX at T-96h. At T-24h, my son had still not cleared SEA-SFO and went on the waitlist for that flight. At some point prior to check-in, I managed to change his seat from one E+ seat to another (knowing that I would give him my F seat if I cleared, I wanted to make sure that his assigned seat was one I would like). He didn't clear that flight.
Finally, I was able to check both of the iapetus jrs. in via the app at T-24h. I was actually quite surprised to be able to do this; I assumed that the system would "see" them as unaccompanied minors and force us to check them in at the airport.So make what you will of that. It seems to me that benefits were retained after splitting the PNR. All of the bags were checked in with mrs. iapetus and me; so I can't say if the baggage benefits were retained after the PNR split, but it seems like the system still recognized us as one family of four with 2 1Ks. I really appreciated being able to share the upgrade experience with them all (even if it wasn't the best of upgrade experiences that UA has to offer).
Jul 30, 2019, 8:41 am
#480
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Any other data points on if inheriting status is now staying intact when splitting?
Have 3 seats left and two of us with RPUs (me 1K; SO Gold). E+ looks quite empty but since it's an A320 probably need to split if they clear one at a time. Don't want to mess up the return though. Wondering if I should wait until T-24 and then check-in and split then or just split closer to T-36.
Have 3 seats left and two of us with RPUs (me 1K; SO Gold). E+ looks quite empty but since it's an A320 probably need to split if they clear one at a time. Don't want to mess up the return though. Wondering if I should wait until T-24 and then check-in and split then or just split closer to T-36.
However, all three have been a result of the auto-split at check in. Maybe try splitting at T-36 to see whether the result is the same?
