Spouses with different United status, does it matter who purchases tickets?
Jul 31, 2023, 8:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 19
Spouses with different United status, does it matter who purchases tickets?
I need to book business class tickets via United (combo. of Brussels Air and United flights out of Kigali) and I am wondering if it matters whether my husband purchases the tickets through his account or if I purchase through mine. We will be traveling together. I want to pay for the tickets with my company card as this is a business-related flight, but I'm wondering if it matters that I am just Silver while my husband is 1k? Would we still be able to take advantage of his 1k status during travel if he didn't directly pay? Probably a dumb question, but want to make sure if I book the tickets that his 1k status will still be registered for the booking to get the benefits while traveling.
Jul 31, 2023, 8:16 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I need to book business class tickets via United (combo. of Brussels Air and United flights out of Kigali) and I am wondering if it matters whether my husband purchases the tickets through his account or if I purchase through mine. We will be traveling together. I want to pay for the tickets with my company card as this is a business-related flight, but I'm wondering if it matters that I am just Silver while my husband is 1k? Would we still be able to take advantage of his 1k status during travel if he didn't directly pay? Probably a dumb question, but want to make sure if I book the tickets that his 1k status will still be registered for the booking to get the benefits while traveling.
Aug 1, 2023, 1:32 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Bought domestic UA tickets for the whole family last year as StarAlliance Gold (LH SEN). Everyone else without relevant status for UA.
The whole group got free baggage, Premier Access and boarding group 1. But I couldn't tell if this would have been the same when anyone else in the family would have paid for the ticket.
When it came to lounge access in LAX only myself plus one guest were permitted.
The whole group got free baggage, Premier Access and boarding group 1. But I couldn't tell if this would have been the same when anyone else in the family would have paid for the ticket.
When it came to lounge access in LAX only myself plus one guest were permitted.
Aug 1, 2023, 8:24 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
That advice is the most important of all -- if you book as separate purchases, then there are two individual tickets, and his benefits will not accrue to you. You need to make one purchase for the both of you together, on the same itinerary, so there is one PNR (Passenger Name Record), and therefore one Record Locator (sometimes called a confirmation number). Doing so, the two tickets will appear as linked together and 1K benefits will be shared with all travellers on the PNR (up to 8, if memory serves). There is no other way to link tickets together, and it can only be done at time of purchase.
Aug 2, 2023, 10:50 pm
#9
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
Aug 2, 2023, 10:55 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
^ No, at 1mm miles you can designate a companion who will get your status, whatever it is that year. It will be at least Gold because you get that at 1mm. But this 1K
spouse could designate wife as companion and she would get his 1K status.
spouse could designate wife as companion and she would get his 1K status.
Aug 3, 2023, 6:25 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Ambassador, AA Platinum, Avis Pres Club, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 564
Aug 4, 2023, 3:22 pm
#12
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
I'll take your word for that, but what on earth is that chart I posted from united.com used for?
Aug 4, 2023, 3:48 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
I am a 1MMer. If I didn't earn any status via last year's flying, I'd be a Gold via 1MM benefit. I could name a companion to be Gold with me.
However, I flew enough to earn 1K last year, so I'll take that 1K status this year, not the minimum 1MMer Gold status. I get to share my current (1K) status with a nominated companion as a MM benefit.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Aug 4, 2023 at 4:01 pm
Aug 4, 2023, 4:39 pm
#14
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
More in Million Miler companion benefit
The key point is the companion status is the same as the MMer status (not their lifetime status)
I am a 1MMer. Gold Lifetime Status but earned Platinum status. My companion is also Premier Platinum elite
Aug 5, 2023, 7:10 pm
#15
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
That's the minimum status for the fliers who actually achieve those various MM hurdles, but one's current "matchable" status could be higher (except for 4MM/GS).
I am a 1MMer. If I didn't earn any status via last year's flying, I'd be a Gold via 1MM benefit. I could name a companion to be Gold with me.
However, I flew enough to earn 1K last year, so I'll take that 1K status this year, not the minimum 1MMer Gold status. I get to share my current (1K) status with a nominated companion as a MM benefit.
I am a 1MMer. If I didn't earn any status via last year's flying, I'd be a Gold via 1MM benefit. I could name a companion to be Gold with me.
However, I flew enough to earn 1K last year, so I'll take that 1K status this year, not the minimum 1MMer Gold status. I get to share my current (1K) status with a nominated companion as a MM benefit.