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 15, 12, 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,524
To split or not to split PNR
Details:
Premier Gold
BOS-CLE tomorrow at 6PM.
Just hoping that somebody has a good feel for the odds of keeping my non Premier companion on the same PNR vs splitting for what looks to be a pretty open flight. Roll the dice and get both, or split and somewhat likely get just one?
Thank you,
SI
Premier Gold
BOS-CLE tomorrow at 6PM.
Just hoping that somebody has a good feel for the odds of keeping my non Premier companion on the same PNR vs splitting for what looks to be a pretty open flight. Roll the dice and get both, or split and somewhat likely get just one?
Thank you,
SI
Jul 15, 12, 1:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: UA 1PP MM
Posts: 328
Originally Posted by Surface Interval
Details:
Premier Gold
BOS-CLE tomorrow at 6PM.
Just hoping that somebody has a good feel for the odds of keeping my non Premier companion on the same PNR vs splitting for what looks to be a pretty open flight. Roll the dice and get both, or split and somewhat likely get just one?
Premier Gold
BOS-CLE tomorrow at 6PM.
Just hoping that somebody has a good feel for the odds of keeping my non Premier companion on the same PNR vs splitting for what looks to be a pretty open flight. Roll the dice and get both, or split and somewhat likely get just one?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 15, 12 at 5:13 pm Reason: fix html
Jul 15, 12, 5:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Originally Posted by Surface Interval
Data point: I decided to keep things together as there is no meal and it is a fairly short flight. Score! The Mrs will be happy - and so will I. 
Jul 15, 12, 7:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,950
In general if you do not want to sit apart then I would not split the reservation; if you don't mind that only one of you gets the upgrade then split it; you always have a better chance of getting at least one upgrade.
Jul 15, 12, 7:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,175
Originally Posted by Surface Interval
Data point: I decided to keep things together as there is no meal and it is a fairly short flight. Score! The Mrs will be happy - and so will I.
Aug 3, 12, 1:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Programs: United Premier Gold
Posts: 252
UDU with 1 Plat and 2 Golds on PNR
Hey guys..
A friend of mine was told by united that he was skipped over for a UDU because he had 4 people on the same PNR.
Is this true? any luck? Should I just have them separate the pnr?
I am a plat and have two golds on my pnr for an upcoming trip
A friend of mine was told by united that he was skipped over for a UDU because he had 4 people on the same PNR.
Is this true? any luck? Should I just have them separate the pnr?
I am a plat and have two golds on my pnr for an upcoming trip
Aug 3, 12, 1:30 pm
#9
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,373
You need to separate the PNR if you want to get CPU. You can do it 1-1-1 or 1-2. For maximum odds 1-1-1 is best.
I would advise splitting the PNRs into three different PNRs, however, you will be at risk of getting split in IRROPs.
I would advise splitting the PNRs into three different PNRs, however, you will be at risk of getting split in IRROPs.
Aug 3, 12, 1:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Programs: United Premier Gold
Posts: 252
Originally Posted by golfingboy
You need to separate the PNR if you want to get CPU. You can do it 1-1-1 or 1-2. For maximum odds 1-1-1 is best.
I would advise splitting the PNRs into three different PNRs, however, you will be at risk of getting split in IRROPs.
I would advise splitting the PNRs into three different PNRs, however, you will be at risk of getting split in IRROPs.
IRROP?? Not sure i know what that is
Aug 3, 12, 1:43 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA PaidUpgrade Pro
Posts: 2,875
Originally Posted by ericjkelly
IRROP?? Not sure i know what that is
Originally Posted by ericjkelly
Hey guys..
A friend of mine was told by united that he was skipped over for a UDU because he had 4 people on the same PNR.
Is this true? any luck? Should I just have them separate the pnr?
I am a plat and have two golds on my pnr for an upcoming trip
A friend of mine was told by united that he was skipped over for a UDU because he had 4 people on the same PNR.
Is this true? any luck? Should I just have them separate the pnr?
I am a plat and have two golds on my pnr for an upcoming trip
Things have changed since the merger...
The way it works now, is that if you have ONE other person in your record (elite or non-elite), they will be upgraded at window of the highest ranking elite in the reservation if space is available. If you have more than two people, all elites, upgrades will start clearing based on the lowest elite in the reservation. If you have more than two people, at at least one is not elite, you will not clear for CPUs in advance -- you must split your PNRs for CPU to process. If you don't split beforehand (and I don't know why you wouldn't)...You'll automatically be split at check-in if you want to go for the battlefield upgrade.
Pre-merger, I used to book separate PNRs all the time. Now, it's a benefit for me to have the Mrs. on my reservation with me (she is a Gold) because she is effectively treated as a 1K for CPU purposes. But, if there is anyone else traveling with us they go on their own reservation.
In your example, you should split one Gold off of your PNR.
Last edited by TommyC80; Aug 3, 12 at 1:53 pm
Aug 3, 12, 1:44 pm
#12
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.85MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 62,348
Originally Posted by ericjkelly
IRROP?? Not sure i know what that is
Aug 10, 12, 10:36 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 50
Did I just screw over my non-elite friend on the return flight: Split PNR at check-in
First time dealing with having a PNR that included both myself (premier gold) and my friend (non-elite) since the merger. During online check-in, there was this question about asking if I wanted to split the PNR to get an upgrade. Or something along those lines... in hindsight I wish I read it better. But essentially, I clicked OK and our PNR got split into two, and we both got put on the upgrade standby list, so I thought nothing of it.
I've since been confirmed for my upgrade, and my friend is still first on the upgrade standby list, so I'm not too worried about our outbound flight. What I am worried about though is the return flight. When the PNR was split, did it still assign her my gold status? I'm guessing not, since when I go into her PNR, economy plus seats cost $$. So what happens when the return flight comes around: is she now not eligible to be put on the upgrade list, since her PNR has been split off from mine? Or does the system know to still automatically add her to the upgrade list with premier gold status?
And as a sidenote: did I mess this up, or is the site just confusing as hell? Was I supposed to refuse the PNR split during online check-in? The way it was phrased made it seem like we would be turning down our UDU option if I opted out of splitting.
I've since been confirmed for my upgrade, and my friend is still first on the upgrade standby list, so I'm not too worried about our outbound flight. What I am worried about though is the return flight. When the PNR was split, did it still assign her my gold status? I'm guessing not, since when I go into her PNR, economy plus seats cost $$. So what happens when the return flight comes around: is she now not eligible to be put on the upgrade list, since her PNR has been split off from mine? Or does the system know to still automatically add her to the upgrade list with premier gold status?
And as a sidenote: did I mess this up, or is the site just confusing as hell? Was I supposed to refuse the PNR split during online check-in? The way it was phrased made it seem like we would be turning down our UDU option if I opted out of splitting.
Aug 10, 12, 11:48 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,187
Originally Posted by mike0822
What I am worried about though is the return flight. When the PNR was split, did it still assign her my gold status? I'm guessing not, since when I go into her PNR, economy plus seats cost $$. So what happens when the return flight comes around: is she now not eligible to be put on the upgrade list, since her PNR has been split off from mine? Or does the system know to still automatically add her to the upgrade list with premier gold status?
You should be able to add her as your companion at the airport on your return, in which case, she'll be on the list right after you, or if you clear beforehand, based on your status.
I've also had experience clicking no to being added to upgrade list at check in to avoid a split. My experience with this is that you stay on the same PNR, but for the return, you will clear CPU per the way it's supposed to be done - together, based on status. However, if you don't clear by check in, you will not have an option to be added to the upgrade list, as their will be a do not upgrade notation on your record from the outbound. You'll have to find a really good agent, and have a bit of time to have this happen. In addition, youll only be allowed to be added at the airport of departure for each flight, meaning for any connection, you'll only be able to do this once you arrive at that connection point.
