Aug 23, 2018, 8:41 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
The elite benefit to guesting companions into E+ is clear IF on the same PNR
Silver - 1 companion at check-in
Gold - 1 companion at booking
Plat/1K/GS -- up to 8 companions at booking
What is the story if the companion(s) are not on the same PNR, so-called "off-PNR"?
There is no known published policy for this. It was there for pmUA but it disappeared after the merge and there were rumors it was gone.
Since then, elites have generally been able to get the same equivalent benefit even if the companions are not on the same PNR.
There are a few general requirements
-- The elite and companions need to on the same flight (this is essentially an absolute)
-- The elite and companions need to be in the same cabin at the time of the request (there has been some reported wiggly room on this but best to assume it is a hard requirement)
------ in the distant past, at one time, pmUA required the elite to be seated adjacent to the companions, that requirement disappeared years before the merger.
-- If a seat sweep occurs (due to an aircraft change and in some cases a schedule change) the companions may lose their E+ seats -- but the elite can call and get them re-assigned
Occasionally, an agent will claim this is not policy. Don't push it, as there is no written policy, but HUCA
Related threads Economy Plus for Companions: Now must be on same PNR -while this was first reported after the merger and turned out not to be true, it was likely pmCO agents or confusion do the lack of a published policy
Silver - 1 companion at check-in
Gold - 1 companion at booking
Plat/1K/GS -- up to 8 companions at booking
What is the story if the companion(s) are not on the same PNR, so-called "off-PNR"?
There is no known published policy for this. It was there for pmUA but it disappeared after the merge and there were rumors it was gone.
Since then, elites have generally been able to get the same equivalent benefit even if the companions are not on the same PNR.
There are a few general requirements
-- The elite and companions need to on the same flight (this is essentially an absolute)
-- The elite and companions need to be in the same cabin at the time of the request (there has been some reported wiggly room on this but best to assume it is a hard requirement)
------ in the distant past, at one time, pmUA required the elite to be seated adjacent to the companions, that requirement disappeared years before the merger.
-- If a seat sweep occurs (due to an aircraft change and in some cases a schedule change) the companions may lose their E+ seats -- but the elite can call and get them re-assigned
Occasionally, an agent will claim this is not policy. Don't push it, as there is no written policy, but HUCA
Related threads Economy Plus for Companions: Now must be on same PNR -while this was first reported after the merger and turned out not to be true, it was likely pmCO agents or confusion do the lack of a published policy
Economy Plus for Companions if on separate PNR [Consolidated]
Jun 19, 2018, 10:44 am
#61
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 167
Update to the thread:
I called 1k line and first call agent happily put him in E+ without issue. We needed to subsequently change him from aisle to window which was done by a second agent just before check-in (we couldn't change his seat on the app without it asking for payment).
We could have upfaired him to W for gpu, but declined as plane is not full and "poor mans lie flat" is a high probability.
I called 1k line and first call agent happily put him in E+ without issue. We needed to subsequently change him from aisle to window which was done by a second agent just before check-in (we couldn't change his seat on the app without it asking for payment).
We could have upfaired him to W for gpu, but declined as plane is not full and "poor mans lie flat" is a high probability.
Jun 19, 2018, 12:22 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Update to the thread:
I called 1k line and first call agent happily put him in E+ without issue. We needed to subsequently change him from aisle to window which was done by a second agent just before check-in (we couldn't change his seat on the app without it asking for payment).
We could have upfaired him to W for gpu, but declined as plane is not full and "poor mans lie flat" is a high probability.
I called 1k line and first call agent happily put him in E+ without issue. We needed to subsequently change him from aisle to window which was done by a second agent just before check-in (we couldn't change his seat on the app without it asking for payment).
We could have upfaired him to W for gpu, but declined as plane is not full and "poor mans lie flat" is a high probability.
Aug 23, 2018, 7:19 am
#63
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Assume you were not traveling in this group.
Loss E+ seats will not automatically be processed until post-flight. If you/they are unsuccessful in getting reseated, then wait a few days. If no automatic refund, use the refund site ( www.united.com/refunds ) as suggested above.
Loss E+ seats will not automatically be processed until post-flight. If you/they are unsuccessful in getting reseated, then wait a few days. If no automatic refund, use the refund site ( www.united.com/refunds ) as suggested above.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 23, 2018 at 9:09 pm Reason: moved to exisiting thread
Aug 23, 2018, 12:31 pm
#64
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: 66,851
I was on this flight, but on a separate reservation. I initially booked 8 of us using my E+, then pulled myself off of the reservation to upgrade. All was good until an equipment swap, which then required me to purchase the E+ seats. Call to customer service was not helpful- said once I was off the reservation any changes that resulted in them having to get back into E+ would be charged. ....
Aug 23, 2018, 6:19 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,162
Right outcome maybe the wrong reason. If you were upgraded / changed cabins, then you lose the ability to request E+ for others. The off-PNR rules for E+ guesting are not publicly published but the practice has long been it can be done but you need to be in E+ also. Seat sweeps are a problem with off-PNR E+ guesting.
.[An agent at my home airport also 'guested'/op-up-ed my wife in to E+ when she was on her way to visit me when I wound up in a hospital on a business trip earlier this year -- neither of us asked for it, but she saw my wife without me and asked what was up -- that was clearly a courtesy and an example of "being nice pays off when you least expect it
]I thought I remembered the rule being "on the same flight" (e.g. without regard to cabin or reservation) but the premier benefits chart (https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con.../default.aspx) only references the reservation. So is the entire guesting scheme a courtesy?
Sep 4, 2018, 6:21 am
#67
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I was on this flight, but on a separate reservation. I initially booked 8 of us using my E+, then pulled myself off of the reservation to upgrade. All was good until an equipment swap, which then required me to purchase the E+ seats. Call to customer service was not helpful- said once I was off the reservation any changes that resulted in them having to get back into E+ would be charged. Anywhoo....I was charged, and the equipments was swapped BACK to the original (it was non-Polairs, then Polaris, then non-Polaris).
Sep 4, 2018, 6:58 am
#68
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
I just did this for 3 off-PNR colleagues last night btw.
Sep 23, 2018, 8:17 pm
#69
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Economy Plus Question:
If I am travelling, on a one way ticket, as a 1K member, ATL-SFO-RNO and a friend, who has no UA status, is travelling with me, but just ATL-SFO, can we both book and sit together in E+, without an extra payment? Thanks for replies.
If I am travelling, on a one way ticket, as a 1K member, ATL-SFO-RNO and a friend, who has no UA status, is travelling with me, but just ATL-SFO, can we both book and sit together in E+, without an extra payment? Thanks for replies.
Sep 23, 2018, 8:27 pm
#70
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Sep 23, 2018, 10:20 pm
#72
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Posts: 56,453
Sep 25, 2018, 8:31 am
#74
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Mar 18, 2019, 10:32 am
#75
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YOW/HBA
Programs: Qantas Silver, MileagePlus Silver
Posts: 418
I have the same situation as above, but only Premier Silver (Not 1K). Would I just wait until T-24 to call in and select my seat and my companions? They are on a separate PNR.