Another concern I have about the split, is that right now Award/RPU upgrades are wait listed. We are both together in E+, if I split her, what happens to her E+ seat? Since she is silver, shes not entitled, without payment, until 24 hours before check-in. Will she retain her seat or will some process come along and move her off to the back of the plane? If for some reason the RPU doesn't clear and we're separated, she's not going to be a happy camper.

TIA

There is a risk of that -- it will not happen automatically but of there is an aircraft change and some schedule changes, there will be a seating sweep. It can easily be restored if noticed soon enough.

That is a potential outcome.

I have been going back and forth on this over the years, and I've now determined that it is better to split in almost all cases if you think there's a good chance you're at the top of the list (i.e., 1K on an instrument). And I'm also convinced that the system can actually work to your advantage, if you get lucky and are willing to sit apart. I've found that if you're waitlisted with an RPU, it doesn't (usually?) even offer you the chance NOT to split-it just does it.

This past week I was on a flight to Mexico where the return had already cleared, and we were using RPUs. At boarding time, my companion was upgraded but one person wasn't showing checked in yet so there was a small chance I too could get upgraded. They asked if we were willing to sit apart and we said yes. We both boarded and I took the seat in E+.

30 seconds before closing, the agent came aboard and gave me the new boarding pass and I sat with my companion. I think they were waiting for a pilot or some other VIP that wasn't subject to the minimum checkin time.

But moral of the story is, if we had not been willing to take the chance of a split, they'd have gone to the next two people on the list and we'd both have missed out.

This whole system would be so much better if:
- You could see your ACTUAL position on the upgrade list even before checking in
- The pre-gate upgrade sweep would still pick up companions even if they're split off from you (this is always my fear when splitting when the return hasn't cleared yet...maybe it has been fixed but we got screwed in the past)

Best way to handle splitting, considering return flights
 

I've got a few flights coming up later this week/early next week and will be traveling with my Spouse who is UA 1K (I'm *G but no status on AC), and wanted to make sure my understanding of CPU's and impact of splitting is correct.

We've got 4 segments on the same PNR, with 4 days at our destination, with seat availability as follows:
Flight 1 - F3 - expect low chances of CPU
Flight 2 - F9
------ 4 days at destination
Flight 3 - F9
Flight 4 - F9

Based on what I see, it looks like we'd have a good chance of clearing in advance on Flights 2,3, and 4, but for Flight 1, the CPU chances look pretty minimal, and I'd expect would likely come down to a gate upgrade, so chances are we'll be prompted on whether we'd want to split.

My main concern is on the impact for the return flights. Given the timing, if we did want to split to try to get an upgrade, my understanding is that I'd be taken off the CPU list for advance upgrades, and could only add myself to the gate for Flights 3/4. It looks like the return flights would probably clear in advance, unless they sell a lot of seats in the next few days.

So if I understand correctly, it looks like we may have to choose between splitting to go on the gate list for Flight 1, or staying together to have a good chance at clearing in advance for Flights 3/4?

Is there any way to get around this? Are we able to get the PNR split in advance to have the outbound and return on separate PNR's (but both of us on same PNR), so that way the splitting for Flight 1 wouldn't impact the return CPU's? Any other suggestions?

Your first bullet will never happen, on any carrier. This would erode premium cabin revenue. If you knew you were at/near the top of the list far in advance, would you ever even consider buying a premium fare? For most people, not a chance.

To your second, IME, this has changed. While my wife is gold and I am plat, even after splitting, her reservation continues to show she is eligible for upgrades at T-72. And last week there was proof of this in action - on our return we both cleared a west coast - IAH flight at the 72 hour plat window, well after the records were split. This is definitely an improvement.

No way to get the outbound and return on separate PNRs together. Only way to do that would be to convince an agent to create two new PNRs, which is probably near impossible, especially if the fare basis requires a round-trip. Probably would require a lot of work and a supervisor - doubt anyone would be willing, even if technically able.

As to the first point above, you don't necessarily have to choose between splitting a reservation or having the companion eligible for CPU on the return. As mentioned above, I have found my wife getting my priority even after splitting these days. I'd be fairly shocked if her having status on UA also has anything to do with that - if they've fixed the system to keep the link to the highest premier status on the original record on the split record, premier status of the split PNR should theoretically have nothing to do with this. That being said, there's probably no way to know for sure except by hearing a report from someone who has successfully split and had the companion upgraded prior to the gate list - of course - lack of an upgrade still wouldn't necessarily disprove the theory. Maybe the report can come from you?

Personally, I think the splitting of the inbound PNR if you choose to split/waitlist for UG on the outbound is one of the worst parts of the splitting issue.

I'd be far, far more likely (and ok with) splitting my PNR if it would just split one direction at a time. E.g. split the outbound into 2 PNRs and have 1 joint PNR for the inbound. I mostly travel with my girlfriend if I have a companion, so having the entire inbound be separate for purposes of upgrades, SDC, IRROPs, etc. is a huge PITA.

Can a 1K traveling in the same cabin but on a separate PNR as a non-status companion get the non-status companion an E+ seat by calling UA to link them or can 1Ks only get companions E+ seating if they two are in the same PNR?

I'm coming from AA side where any elite (above Gold) can simply call and move any pax ticketed in the same cabin (but on different PNRs) to any seat in the cabin.

Thanks

Yes -- in fact, an 1K can potentially do up to 8 companions.

Thanks. Does the 1K just call to do this since pax aren't in same PNR?

Yes. They do it very quickly over the phone

To split or not to split PNR
 

Ok folks here we go.

Family of four. Two Plats. PNR on domestic flight split 2-2. So far so good. Flight is almost t-72 hours out and yet 12 empty seats at the front of the bus and no upgrades for us.

If we get closer to t-48 should I bite the bullet and split into four PNRs to avoid having golds jump over us and get upgraded?

Thank you.

Is this PNR for a one-way trip, or do you have the return on the same booking, in which case there could be downstream effects?

To split or not to split PNR
 

We have one more flight after...TPA-EWR. Will they pick a fight over E+ and checked luggage benefits?

Sometimes (like everything else about UA, it's unpredictable). Where you're almost guaranteed problems is during IRROPS, if rebookings are needed.

That's why I always book my trips as one way PNRs, unless there is a fare penalty. I know some people on FT disagree because of higher change fees, but it's worked well for me over the years since the merger.

To split or not to split PNR
 

So...split at t-71 or don't bother at all?