Feb 11, 2024, 10:46 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Comprehensive Companion CPU Questions
Comprehensive Companion CPU Questions [ARCHIVE]
Apr 6, 2013, 1:56 pm
#526
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,898
The conversation is nearly 600 posts long, so it may be a bit tough to decode at this point 
:: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...eeds-stop.html
The basic takeaway is that if the travelers are both elite members with the same status level, your optimal choice is probably to buy two separate tickets on two separate reservations.
If one traveler is more elite than the other, there are no perfect options; a close-to-optimal choice is probably to ticket on a single PNR and auto-split at check-in time, as long as you are OK with the companion not getting an automatic upgrade before departure-management time on any subsequent segments.
:: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...eeds-stop.htmlThe basic takeaway is that if the travelers are both elite members with the same status level, your optimal choice is probably to buy two separate tickets on two separate reservations.
If one traveler is more elite than the other, there are no perfect options; a close-to-optimal choice is probably to ticket on a single PNR and auto-split at check-in time, as long as you are OK with the companion not getting an automatic upgrade before departure-management time on any subsequent segments.
Apr 6, 2013, 2:03 pm
#527
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jersey
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,155
Thanks all. I also found this which seems like a good summary.
http://hackmytrip.com/2013/02/united...rade-policies/
So basically i have a flight that i already booked with a friend on the itinerary who has no status. So it sounds like its best to use the auto-split option at check - in correct? Or should i split them before hand in hopes of my upgrade clearing at the 48 hour mark?
http://hackmytrip.com/2013/02/united...rade-policies/
So basically i have a flight that i already booked with a friend on the itinerary who has no status. So it sounds like its best to use the auto-split option at check - in correct? Or should i split them before hand in hopes of my upgrade clearing at the 48 hour mark?
Apr 7, 2013, 2:09 pm
#528
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 7,034
Companion upgrade
On a recent trip, I asked an agent at checkin counter at SJC to add my son to the upgrade list for next day's flights (BOS-EWR and EWA-PIT). He got one of two upgrades and flew in the front for both flights because I got CPUs for both flights. In my case, the agent at SJC was not busy and willing to help. I also met two very nice agents at PIT checkin counter. On the same airport, my son was not allowed to board at my BG 1 (because the original PNR was splitted). This agent was clearly wrong. His excuse was that my son and I should sit at adjacent seats. Both of us sat at middle seats because of the last minute change of flights. I did not argue with this gate agent.
Apr 7, 2013, 4:30 pm
#530
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: FLL
Programs: United Premier 1K; Alaska MVP 75K; Hilton Honors Diamond; Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 667
Someone told me that their companion cleared with them at their CPU window and then they were able to add an additional companion to the list once they checked in at the airport. Does the system not track who "sponsors" the upgrade or do gate agents just add them as companions without linking it to a specific person?
Apr 9, 2013, 1:18 pm
#531
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 64
Need to be on original reservation?
My colleague tried to get me upgraded as his companion at check-in (mco-den). Agent said i had to be on his reservation originally so, since i wasn't, they couldn't make me his companion. True?
Apr 9, 2013, 1:29 pm
#532
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Agent was probably lazy, and thinking it won't clear (long UG list) so why bother.
Apr 9, 2013, 1:35 pm
#533
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Asia Miles, Hilton HHonors Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Emerald Club.
Posts: 525
A MileagePlus member may request an upgrade for another traveler using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, a Global Premier Upgrade or a Regional Premier Upgrade, even if they are not traveling on the same reservation. Waitlist confirmation priority is based on the Premier status of the redeeming account.
In addition, one companion traveling on the same reservation as a Premier member is also 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. This benefit does not apply to companions traveling on award tickets.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...e/default.aspx
Apr 9, 2013, 2:50 pm
#534
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,472
Encountered a strange situation with a companion last week. Was flying EWR-DEN-GUC, both pax were upgraded on EWR-DEN and the connecting DEN-GUC seg was on an XJT 145, so no FC cabin. We did not clear on the returning DEN-EWR (originating at DEN) by the day of departure for the outbound segment, so when I was curiously prompted to upgrade at OLCI for EWR-DEN (even though we had already cleared F at T-96h) I did not proceed with online check-in and simply did so at the airport on a kiosk. Both pax stayed on the same PNR and no upgrades cleared between then and OLCI for the return flight. At OLCI for the return, we checked in, stayed on the same PNR, but were not placed on the upgrade list.
I tried to rectify the situation, but two separate agents told me they could not remove the 'do not upgrade' language from the PNR once inserted, even though they were able to in the past.
Apparently, the 'do not upgrade' command goes into the PNR for downline segs if you do not split the PNR, even when both pax clear all eligible segments on the outbound direction of travel. This gives elites the false dilemma of 'one or none' in terms of companion upgrades for any downline segments even though companion upgrades cleared automatically on an earlier flight.
Another reason to only book one-ways, I suppose.
I tried to rectify the situation, but two separate agents told me they could not remove the 'do not upgrade' language from the PNR once inserted, even though they were able to in the past.
Apparently, the 'do not upgrade' command goes into the PNR for downline segs if you do not split the PNR, even when both pax clear all eligible segments on the outbound direction of travel. This gives elites the false dilemma of 'one or none' in terms of companion upgrades for any downline segments even though companion upgrades cleared automatically on an earlier flight.
Another reason to only book one-ways, I suppose.
Last edited by EWR764; Apr 9, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Apr 9, 2013, 7:59 pm
#535
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 64
I had same issue. Called in the return leg and the agent connected us to IT. We split the pnr and the agent could then remove the do not upgrade note from the reservation and both pnrs. Ask call center to get IT on the line with them.
So, my question about being someone's companion at the gate, since one has to split the pnrs to get a companion upgraded, then we're already not on the same reservation. So not sure why having my collegue add me as companion is any different from a split pnr and showing up adding me at the airport? How would they know? They didn't look at my ticket, just said no.
So, my question about being someone's companion at the gate, since one has to split the pnrs to get a companion upgraded, then we're already not on the same reservation. So not sure why having my collegue add me as companion is any different from a split pnr and showing up adding me at the airport? How would they know? They didn't look at my ticket, just said no.
Apr 9, 2013, 8:48 pm
#536
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I had same issue. Called in the return leg and the agent connected us to IT. We split the pnr and the agent could then remove the do not upgrade note from the reservation and both pnrs. Ask call center to get IT on the line with them.
So, my question about being someone's companion at the gate, since one has to split the pnrs to get a companion upgraded, then we're already not on the same reservation. So not sure why having my collegue add me as companion is any different from a split pnr and showing up adding me at the airport? How would they know? They didn't look at my ticket, just said no.
So, my question about being someone's companion at the gate, since one has to split the pnrs to get a companion upgraded, then we're already not on the same reservation. So not sure why having my collegue add me as companion is any different from a split pnr and showing up adding me at the airport? How would they know? They didn't look at my ticket, just said no.
Airplane companions have to fight essentially a battlefield upgrade and reluctant agents who are looking at a very long upgrade list already - so in their mind, adding you is just pointless.
Apr 9, 2013, 8:53 pm
#537
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott Platinum; National Emerald Exec Elite; Avis President's Club (whoopdidoo)
Posts: 199
I had the same problem last week traveling with my son. First leg, LAX-BOS, I used RPUs immediately upon booking and we were upgraded. I used auto check-in for second set of flights (BOS-DEN-DRO) and declined to split PNR. We were not on upgrade list. I made one call and the agent could not figure it out and by that time, FC was nearly booked full so I did not pursue.
Third set of flights (long trip), same thing for GUC-DEN-SNA. I called again and was told I had blocked the upgrade option with auto check-in and declining PNR split. I was not sure what I should have done. The agent told me he could remove the block but only a TA/GA could add us to the upgrade list.
The TA (actually two different TAs the night before and the day of) at GUC was unable to add us and, similarly, FC was filling up and by that time I had spent more time on the phone and with TAs than the time I would spend on the flight so I did not pursue.
Last odd occurrence: GUC-DEN had an aircraft change. Originally, we were in 1C/1D (single cabin) and were booked in those seats until two days prior to departure. Then we were in 19C/D in a two-cabin config. I could not change our seats online; this was >24 hours pre-departure. During my first visit to the TA the night before departure, he was able to move my son back to the front of the plane but not me. Just before departure, the second TA was able to put us in 5 C/D.
I was just very thankful that this trip wasn't a big-deal vacation involving my entire family as I would have been furious with all the crap I had to deal with (unsuccessfully) on this trip....
I am going to have to go back and read this thread carefully to try to understand what I should have done. This air travel started with a near 6-hour delay LAX-BOS on Easter Sunday and the flying part of the trip seemed somewhat jinxed for the remainder of the trip.
Third set of flights (long trip), same thing for GUC-DEN-SNA. I called again and was told I had blocked the upgrade option with auto check-in and declining PNR split. I was not sure what I should have done. The agent told me he could remove the block but only a TA/GA could add us to the upgrade list.
The TA (actually two different TAs the night before and the day of) at GUC was unable to add us and, similarly, FC was filling up and by that time I had spent more time on the phone and with TAs than the time I would spend on the flight so I did not pursue.
Last odd occurrence: GUC-DEN had an aircraft change. Originally, we were in 1C/1D (single cabin) and were booked in those seats until two days prior to departure. Then we were in 19C/D in a two-cabin config. I could not change our seats online; this was >24 hours pre-departure. During my first visit to the TA the night before departure, he was able to move my son back to the front of the plane but not me. Just before departure, the second TA was able to put us in 5 C/D.
I was just very thankful that this trip wasn't a big-deal vacation involving my entire family as I would have been furious with all the crap I had to deal with (unsuccessfully) on this trip....
I am going to have to go back and read this thread carefully to try to understand what I should have done. This air travel started with a near 6-hour delay LAX-BOS on Easter Sunday and the flying part of the trip seemed somewhat jinxed for the remainder of the trip.
Apr 9, 2013, 8:59 pm
#538
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I had the same problem last week traveling with my son. First leg, LAX-BOS, I used RPUs immediately upon booking and we were upgraded. I used auto check-in for second set of flights (BOS-DEN-DRO) and declined to split PNR. We were not on upgrade list. I made one call and the agent could not figure it out and by that time, FC was nearly booked full so I did not pursue.
Third set of flights (long trip), same thing for GUC-DEN-SNA. I called again and was told I had blocked the upgrade option with auto check-in and declining PNR split. I was not sure what I should have done. The agent told me he could remove the block but only a TA/GA could add us to the upgrade list.
The TA (actually two different TAs the night before and the day of) at GUC was unable to add us and, similarly, FC was filling up and by that time I had spent more time on the phone and with TAs than the time I would spend on the flight so I did not pursue.
Last odd occurrence: GUC-DEN had an aircraft change. Originally, we were in 1C/1D (single cabin) and were booked in those seats until two days prior to departure. Then we were in 19C/D in a two-cabin config. I could not change our seats online; this was >24 hours pre-departure. During my first visit to the TA the night before departure, he was able to move my son back to the front of the plane but not me. Just before departure, the second TA was able to put us in 5 C/D.
I am going to have to go back and read this thread carefully to try to understand what I should have done. This air travel started with a near 6-hour delay LAX-BOS on Easter Sunday and the flying part of the trip seemed somewhat jinxed for the remainder of the trip.
Third set of flights (long trip), same thing for GUC-DEN-SNA. I called again and was told I had blocked the upgrade option with auto check-in and declining PNR split. I was not sure what I should have done. The agent told me he could remove the block but only a TA/GA could add us to the upgrade list.
The TA (actually two different TAs the night before and the day of) at GUC was unable to add us and, similarly, FC was filling up and by that time I had spent more time on the phone and with TAs than the time I would spend on the flight so I did not pursue.
Last odd occurrence: GUC-DEN had an aircraft change. Originally, we were in 1C/1D (single cabin) and were booked in those seats until two days prior to departure. Then we were in 19C/D in a two-cabin config. I could not change our seats online; this was >24 hours pre-departure. During my first visit to the TA the night before departure, he was able to move my son back to the front of the plane but not me. Just before departure, the second TA was able to put us in 5 C/D.
I am going to have to go back and read this thread carefully to try to understand what I should have done. This air travel started with a near 6-hour delay LAX-BOS on Easter Sunday and the flying part of the trip seemed somewhat jinxed for the remainder of the trip.
Apr 10, 2013, 7:36 pm
#539
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott Platinum; National Emerald Exec Elite; Avis President's Club (whoopdidoo)
Posts: 199
Thanks - I haven't travelled with my family very much since 3/3/12. I will split next time.
May 15, 2013, 9:20 am
#540
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K/1.5MM, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz PC, National Emerald Executive
Posts: 424
Companion CPU - United finally figure it out....
...how to explain the elites traveling with companions that they are screwed!
Traveling with my son tomorrow, ORD-LAX, CPU did not clear in advance, went to check in at T-24, and was very explicitly told via united.com that if I wanted to be on the upgrade list, then I would have to split PNRs! If I chose to keep a single PNR, neither myself nor my son would be on added to the upgrade standby list.
Of course, this is the outbound flight, so I can't split PNRs because that would make my son ineligible to clear the return(although as I was reading this, if we both don't clear the return by check-in time, only I will have a chance on the upgrade list?)
Is this another enhancement to the elite beneifts that I am supposed to ^???
Traveling with my son tomorrow, ORD-LAX, CPU did not clear in advance, went to check in at T-24, and was very explicitly told via united.com that if I wanted to be on the upgrade list, then I would have to split PNRs! If I chose to keep a single PNR, neither myself nor my son would be on added to the upgrade standby list.
Of course, this is the outbound flight, so I can't split PNRs because that would make my son ineligible to clear the return(although as I was reading this, if we both don't clear the return by check-in time, only I will have a chance on the upgrade list?)
Is this another enhancement to the elite beneifts that I am supposed to ^???