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]
Jun 7, 2018, 12:16 am
#961
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: 66,857
CPU eligibility for an off-PNR companion was a pre-merger CO practice. Post-merger it has never been a published policy but some .gate agents will do. For pmCO, it could only be done a few hours prior to departure -- today it is something only gate agents will do, so is effectively limited to an hour or less before departure, Companion will be a the bottom of the elite's status group and this is only done for elite and companion on paid fares. As this is not a published policy, it is up to the GA's discretion.
Jun 26, 2018, 10:10 pm
#962
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
Hey all, it's been awhile since I've had a companion on my record and want to make sure I have this right:
Flying AAA-IAH-BBB. AAA-IAH seems iffy that we will clear before check-in. IAH-BBB looks to be heavily oversold with F wide open. It's down to F6 but cabin empty and it's a beach destination (for context). Pretty sure when the flight status shows up it will be ~10 or so blocked.
Assuming we clear IAH-BBB at some point between T-96 and T-24, is it best to not check-in right at T-24 and hope the CPU sweep for AAA-IAH happens down to F2 as it normally would on this route?
If I'm understanding correctly, if we do not split the reservation at checkin, we will not be eligible at all for CPU on AAA-IAH? My other thought is if they don't sweep the connecting flight right at T-24 to balance out the oversale (which seems to normally happen), that we will not check-in at all until the morning of and hope the system does it at some point up until closer to departure.
In the ideal scenario, hoping to be cleared on IAH-BBB way before departure and then just need to figure out the best strategy for AAA-IAH.
Hoping I'm on the right track here but any validation would be appreciated
Flying AAA-IAH-BBB. AAA-IAH seems iffy that we will clear before check-in. IAH-BBB looks to be heavily oversold with F wide open. It's down to F6 but cabin empty and it's a beach destination (for context). Pretty sure when the flight status shows up it will be ~10 or so blocked.
Assuming we clear IAH-BBB at some point between T-96 and T-24, is it best to not check-in right at T-24 and hope the CPU sweep for AAA-IAH happens down to F2 as it normally would on this route?
If I'm understanding correctly, if we do not split the reservation at checkin, we will not be eligible at all for CPU on AAA-IAH? My other thought is if they don't sweep the connecting flight right at T-24 to balance out the oversale (which seems to normally happen), that we will not check-in at all until the morning of and hope the system does it at some point up until closer to departure.
In the ideal scenario, hoping to be cleared on IAH-BBB way before departure and then just need to figure out the best strategy for AAA-IAH.
Hoping I'm on the right track here but any validation would be appreciated
Jun 28, 2018, 10:35 pm
#963
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
Follow up to the above, my IAH-BBB cleared so now I'm just wondering about the first leg. If we do not get swept right at T-24, is it best to wait a bit before checking in (to see if the do the sweep down to F2) or should I just check in and split us? Since it's a one-way I don't need to worry about anything affecting a return trip. Companion is no-status FWIW.
Jun 29, 2018, 10:49 am
#964
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
Follow up to the above, my IAH-BBB cleared so now I'm just wondering about the first leg. If we do not get swept right at T-24, is it best to wait a bit before checking in (to see if the do the sweep down to F2) or should I just check in and split us? Since it's a one-way I don't need to worry about anything affecting a return trip. Companion is no-status FWIW.
If the former, check in and split immediately. Otherwise wait until the counter.
Jun 29, 2018, 1:35 pm
#965
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 673
My my assumption is that I should wait until they clear the flight down to F2 (and hopefully we’ll clear in that sweep) and if not, then check in ASAP to ensure highest position possible on the waitlist. Am I following that correctly?
Jun 29, 2018, 3:19 pm
#966
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 195
My wife and two boys are flying IAH-CUN next month. I am the only one with status (Silver). Based on what I have seen, my chances looks good for a CPU for myself and one companion. I just noticed that the buy up offer is $119 for both routes. I am considering buying up for two of us and then hoping we get the CPU for the other two. The app doesn’t seem to be letting me purchase the upgrade for two of us? It only seems to be giving me an option to purchase all four seats. Am I not allowed to split it up?
Jun 29, 2018, 3:38 pm
#967
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
You can't split it up during the upgrade process, but you can call UA and split two passengers -- presumably, your wife and one of your boys -- into a separate reservation, at which point you'll likely see the same option there. If you explain what you're trying to do, the agent should be able to take care of it for you quickly.
Jun 29, 2018, 3:46 pm
#968
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 195
Thanks!
Jul 18, 2018, 10:51 pm
#969
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Does the companion need to be a MileagePlus member as well?
Jul 21, 2018, 3:36 pm
#970
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: 66,857
Aug 18, 2018, 11:42 pm
#971
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA1K | *A Gold
Posts: 767
1K traveling with 2 general members. Would I be able to apply 1 RPU to one companion and wait for a CPU with the other pax? I'm guessing I would need to call in to have them split the PNR?
Aug 18, 2018, 11:43 pm
#972
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
Oct 17, 2018, 12:36 pm
#973
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canada! eh?
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 386
CPU eligibility for an off-PNR companion was a pre-merger CO practice. Post-merger it has never been a published policy but some .gate agents will do. For pmCO, it could only be done a few hours prior to departure -- today it is something only gate agents will do, so is effectively limited to an hour or less before departure, Companion will be a the bottom of the elite's status group and this is only done for elite and companion on paid fares. As this is not a published policy, it is up to the GA's discretion.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:40 pm
#974
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: 66,857
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...solidated.html
Oct 24, 2018, 3:33 pm
#975
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,288
Companion upgrade on separate PNR
Does anyone have any recent experience with companion upgrades on separate PNR's?
I am 1K traveling on a reward ticket eligible for upgrade with Explorer card. Wife is traveling on same itinerary with a paid G fare. What are the chances of adding her to the upgrade list at the airport?
In the good ol' CO days it wasn't a problem, even for companions on the same flight but a different ultimate destination.
I am 1K traveling on a reward ticket eligible for upgrade with Explorer card. Wife is traveling on same itinerary with a paid G fare. What are the chances of adding her to the upgrade list at the airport?
In the good ol' CO days it wasn't a problem, even for companions on the same flight but a different ultimate destination.