WineCountryUA

Upgrade mileage only varies based on fares, a higher fare class can be lower mileage but the fare costs is generally higher.

pseudoswede

I have three co-workers on the same flight as me (different PNRs) in a few weeks. As a Silver, I can call and put them into Preferred Seats right now. Do I need their PNR, or are just names okay?

Then at T-24, I can select an E+ seat (if available), and my co-workers will remain in their Preferred Seats, right?

Edited to add: if you're seeing my other saga, I just paid a small fare change to upgrade myself to F (for the PQPs). Now that I'm sitting in F, can I still call in to move my co-workers to Preferred Seats?

lsquare

So my parents want to go to Singapore with me. We're all going to depart together on the same day. However, I'll need to take UA2 to fly back sooner than they want. So is it possible to make such a booking and extend whatever 1K benefits to them?

RobOnLI

What 1K benefits are you referring to?

They can board with you on the outbound if you tell the GA you're traveling together. Obviously doesn't work for the return since you won't be there.

They can have E+ seating with you on the outbound since you're on the same flight. Obviously doesn't work for the return since you won't be taking the same flight.

So what else were you hoping they could use? Baggage? Won't work. Sorry.

-RM

lsquare

Yea, and I guess I'll need two separate bookings?

MSPeconomist

Yes, assuming that you get RT tickets rather than (probably much more expensive) OWs. Also, if you've already purchased your ticket, you can't add others to your PNR.

Kmxu

Problem solved: buy your parents business class tickets.

Seriously, in this situation, you can request for E+ and board together for outbound. If you are lucky, they may get the same luggage allowance for outbound but have to pay for excessive baggage for return (you can take some of their luggage with you).

RobOnLI

Yes, that's correct. You need separate bookings.

And as posted above, you can't add to your PNR. Not that it matters. You can still get them free E+ seating by calling the 1K line and providing both PNRs.

-RM

marks88

FYI, ex-SIN tickets are pricey but there are a few deals ex-BKK and other nearby cities for sub US$1.5k oneway SQ J to US.

WineCountryUA

As these will be separate PNRs, the wiki explains the limits benefits you can share with a passenger on the same flight(s) as you are traveling. If on different flights nothing can shared.

dcpdxtrans

Has anyone tried this:

Book a RT ticket with multiple passengers using one person's status to get everyone into E+. Then, <24h from booking, call in, ask to tease out my ticket into business class in its last row (at least on the int'l leg while keeping the kids and wife in the front row of E+). At that point, would my ticket still show my original PNR (in order to keep shared benefits)?

Indeed, I know that if I am traveling with my family on any flight I am traveling, they will get E+ even if on diff PNRs after a call. And, wife would certainly sit in J on the outbound for those wondering. The issue is that on the return, I will most likely not be traveling with them, and I want them in E+ at time of booking to secure that benefit. Possible?

jsloan

No.

Is It possible? It might work; it might not. Generally, if there's no equipment swap, and nobody goes in to look, the seat assignments probably won't change.

Is it ethical? That's an entirely different question.

drewguy

If you are all booked in Y and get E+, if you alone get upgraded they are unlikely to be booted from E+ absent irrops that causes a seat shuffle. I have done this even with non-companions (i.e., separate PNRs, request companion to E+ then get upgraded).

As to what is I think a separate question, are you proposing basically a dummy booking for you to get them E+, which you'll then cancel and fly on a separate flight? If done late, again they won't lose the "benefit" but this could run afoul of United rules.

dcpdxtrans

I think those are good points. It is not certain that I will be on a different flight on the return but very likely. Thus, it is not a dummy booking. I simply want to keep options open JIC. I think if it were certain I'm flying on a different return, that changes the calculus, and then I would readily agree that it would not be right since my intent, ab initio, was compromised. However, I will not know for a couple months...

On a separate issue, it would be nice if UA (and I guess all airlines) allowed one PNR to have different people in different classes of service (e.g., 2 in biz and 4 in eco or some revenue some award).

WineCountryUA

The industry wide systems / GDS are inherently unable to di that. There is just a single field in the PNR for fare class. Ut would requirement a change for the entire industry for a small percentage of customers.