Feb 21, 2017, 12:20 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA CPU 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.
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.
Companions on separate PNR are not explicitly discussed but some GAs will add them at the Gate.
While elites may be eligible (with the right credit card) for award upgrades, companions are explicitly excluded.
Related threads
Questions About Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU) on UA
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
To split or not to split PNR
Archive of earlier posts: Comprehensive Companion CPU Questions [ARCHIVE]
Comprehensive Companion CPU Questions
Dec 11, 2020, 10:04 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: United 1k, American Express Platinum
Posts: 80
For future reference, I would recommend splitting everyone off your reservation besides 1 kid and chance the both of you for a CPU while upgrading everyone else. LAX-ORD is not too hard of a flight for a CPU. I was clearing as a gold not too long ago. Then just monitor the upgrade list everyday and if seats are getting booked then you can apply more plus points as you see fit.
Dec 12, 2020, 11:27 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
It never hurts to ask, but I doubt it. Plus points in the FAQs say that once they clear they’re not returnable. One of the gripes as old GPUs/RPUs were returnable if your original fare class was available.
Dec 13, 2020, 11:18 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Correct. Furthermore, once you've split a PNR, there's no easy way to unspilt it. The agent would have to build a new record from scratch. It's all possible, but the agent would have to bend so many rules to do it that it's not probable.
Dec 13, 2020, 4:56 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Adding to that, I have never heard of anyone getting a split 'undone' (reservation recreated).
Mar 24, 2021, 10:38 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 838
I have noted recently, that when checking in with a companion on the reservation, the reservation is not split at that time, yet we both show on the upgrade list. Has something changed? I wonder if the PNR is now split only if the upgrade is processed at the gate, versus at check-in in advance.
May 5, 2021, 8:59 am
#51
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,267
CPU with non status passengers on same PNR
I never travel with others on my PNR. This time, I have my girlfriend and her daughter. Would they CPU with me as GS or am I getting leap frogged because of it. T-2 and PN3.
May 5, 2021, 9:39 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Well, the one split off to apply PPs would clear immediately (if the PPs can be applied this late). The other two would clear when UA clears CPUs, and at that time, by list priority.
May 5, 2021, 10:02 am
#54
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
PlusPoints request can be done anytime. Split the girlfriend’s daughter out and request PP upgrade.
May 5, 2021, 12:58 pm
#56
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: 66,854
What is age of child? Splitting the child from the PNR may create a unaccompanied minor issue if 14 and under. It can be straighten out at checkin if an adult is in the same cabin. Would be better to split off the non-status adult
A PNR with 2 non-status passenger will not be eligible for CPU
Companion CPU can happen together if it occurs prior to checkin. At the gate, each passenger clears separately.
A PNR with 2 non-status passenger will not be eligible for CPU
Companion CPU can happen together if it occurs prior to checkin. At the gate, each passenger clears separately.
May 12, 2021, 6:48 am
#57
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: BOS ORD (via MSP) and occasionally AUG and MWN
Programs: UA 2P. Former DL FO in the Golden Age of Mileage Runs
Posts: 139
Any at-gate luck with different PNRs?
Traveling EWR-STT with the GF, but on different PNRs. I should clear for the upgrade, currently 2 on the list for 7 empty seats, and we are two of the four seats filled in Y+.
I'll ask at the gate, any reports on whether anyone has been successful with asking at the gate?
I'll ask at the gate, any reports on whether anyone has been successful with asking at the gate?
May 12, 2021, 7:05 am
#58
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Traveling EWR-STT with the GF, but on different PNRs. I should clear for the upgrade, currently 2 on the list for 7 empty seats, and we are two of the four seats filled in Y+.
I'll ask at the gate, any reports on whether anyone has been successful with asking at the gate?
I'll ask at the gate, any reports on whether anyone has been successful with asking at the gate?
Good luck.
May 12, 2021, 9:05 am
#59
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: BOS ORD (via MSP) and occasionally AUG and MWN
Programs: UA 2P. Former DL FO in the Golden Age of Mileage Runs
Posts: 139
Jul 5, 2021, 7:18 am
#60
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 66
What is age of child? Splitting the child from the PNR may create a unaccompanied minor issue if 14 and under. It can be straighten out at checkin if an adult is in the same cabin. Would be better to split off the non-status adult
A PNR with 2 non-status passenger will not be eligible for CPU
Companion CPU can happen together if it occurs prior to checkin. At the gate, each passenger clears separately.
A PNR with 2 non-status passenger will not be eligible for CPU
Companion CPU can happen together if it occurs prior to checkin. At the gate, each passenger clears separately.