If I split a PNR on the outbound and want to do a SDC on the return, is the change fee no longer waived if the split pax has no status?

My fiancé (UA Plat) and I (UA Silver) had our PNR split on the outbound two weeks ago, and we were able to do a SDC on the return (while taxiing after landing at IAH at that) without a paying a change fee. Best of all, our IAH–SFO flight ended up being switched to a 767-400ER and we got CPU'd to First (2-1-2 lie-flat config) :D^

Without even asking the checkin agent at DFW split me off from the rest of my party when we checked our bags.

I didn't even notice till we got to the security checkpoint and they all weren't priority. Luckily the TSA let us all go through priority screening together. Sad news was even after having the PNR split I still didn't get a CPU.

I called and asked to have them merge it back to one but the agent said that as long as they're with me they'll be able to go though security and boarding with whatever group I was in and that I shouldn't have any issues.

I mentioned that I was worried about my companions being pushed out of their economy plus seats but she reassured me that would not happen. Guess we'll see!

Separating reservation?
 

If you have a Gold traveling with three people with no status, should you separate out that person from the reservation before check in to maximize the chances of an upgrade? But if I do that, will it mean I won't get that one companion upgraded? I know chances are never great but on the flight in question the first class cabin is wide open 2 days out. Thanks!

If the Gold stays on the reservation with three others, there is zero chance of an upgrade. Upgrades are an all-or-nothing proposition, so the Gold would have to be on a PNR alone or with one companion.

Thank you so much. Can I clarify one thing? So if I separate one Gold by themselves or one Gold with one companion, either will give us equivalent chances for an upgrade? Again, I really do thank you for your time.

I'd suggest separating 2 pax onto 1 PNR and then keeping one pax on your PNR. That will give you equal chances of getting upgraded until T-24. If you're not CPU'd by T-24, you may want to split your PNR to increase likelihood of you getting a CPU inside 24 hours or at the gate (in the case that only one seat opens up).

Thanks.

Not necessarily - you would need two upgrade spots to be available. If there's only one, it will skip over you to the next solo pax.

Hence my comment about splitting inside T-24. Before T-24, he chances of only one F seat opening up is slim to none. Either 0 F seats will open up or a group of 2+ will open up at the same time.

Should two 1K's applying GPU's use separate PNR's?
 

My search yielded conflicting information re GPU upgrade success for spouses who are both 1K using separate vs the same PNR. My intuition and some experience suggests using separate PNR's. I would be interested in your experiences before we book our next SEA to DEL flights.

If you are on the same PNR, you will only clear if two seats open at the same time. If only one opens, you will both get skipped. Since you're both 1K, not sure I see any benefit worth staying on one PNR.

IRROPS.

You're more likely to stay booked together on one reservation than if you have two.

Both 1K. Not likely to be an issue. And not worth the decreased upgrade odds on a long-haul IMO.

+1. If there's a big concern about IRROPS, they can call the 1K Line and have them note their PNRs saying they're traveling together. While the computer won't see that in case of IRROPS, a quick call to the 1K Line or any UA Rep will be able to help quickly.