Thanks for the good luck! I now remember seeing the "Separate Traveler" link on past reservations. Strangely, that link is not on this PNR. Maybe it's because we already applied the RPUs…?

UPDATE: We have another PNR that isn't showing the "Separate Traveler(s)" link; Both that PNR and our SFO-JFK PNR we're booked via phone with UA forcing the fare code because their was a website error. Maybe it's a restricted ticketing that doesn't allow for separating on web…?

Upgrade List Question
 

I'm trying to check-in for a flight with one companion today. When I do so, I get the following options:

Select YES and travelers will be placed into a separate reservation and added to the upgrade standby list upon check-in. If available, upgrades will clear one at a time at the departure gate. Your new confirmation numbers can be found on your boarding passes.


Select NO and travelers will stay in the original reservation and will not be added to the upgrade standby list. Your confirmation number will remain the same.

However, only my name appears on the list. Is there no way to keep us together and remain on the upgrade list.

Correct, on the day of travel if upgrades have not cleared yet, your PNR will be split if you remain on the upgrade list. When I travel with a companion, if my upgrade doesn't clear before the day of departure, I decline the upgrade so the PNR isn't split.

+1 One of my biggest frustrations with United, though admittedly a relatively small issue (and if this is one of my biggest frustrations, things aren't so bad). This eats into Premier benefits as much as anything - forcing me to pick between upgrade opportunities and the companion benefits that are inconsistently "given" to non-elite companions if I split a reservation (many agents claim, e.g., that they cannot waive an E+ seat fee for my non-elite previous companion if we move within the E+ cabin). As the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...eeds-stop.html thread provides, I **think** that the best thing to do is to wait to check in as long as possible and hope your upgrade clears, unless you are ok with split PNRs. And book lots of one-way tickets to minimize the impact of playing the split.

I'm confused. You appear on the list already?

I think OP meant the list of people he/she sees as "upgrade eligible" when checking in to his/her reservation. That always only shows the Premier, but doesn't really mean anything.

family of 4 -- split into 2 PNRs?
 

outbound 9/26 LAX-(UA1237)-IAD-(UA936)-ZRH-FLR; return 10/11 FLR-FRA-(UA906)-ORD-(UA623)-LAX
2 adults, 2 minors currently on single PNR
M class fares for all 4 seats purchased 6/21 and upgrades requested with GPUs for LAX-ZRH and FRA-LAX from 1MM/1K account same day

should I call to split into 2 PNRs now for better upgrade chances? are there any downsides to splitting PNR now? we're slightly less than 3 weeks from outbound travel and chances of scoring 4 upgrade seats at once seem very slim (non-existent to be honest); would split to 1 adult & 1 child on each PNR

if we split to 2 PNRs do we keep original GPU request date? I understand that fare class, sponsoring acct status and request date play into who receives the upgrade but I may be :confused:

Laura

CPU strategy: 2 1ks and 2 kids
 

Hi -

I'm MM so Mrs. Pduck also has 1K. We have two kids. To date I have opted to split fam trips into 2 PNRs with one 1K in each. Please rank order your thoughts on:

A) Status quo. 2 PNRs with a 1k and kid in each
B) 3 PNRs - one for each 1k and one for the kids after we put them in E+ next to us
C) 4 PNRs since they will need to split for companion upgrade regardless


Thank you

CPU strategy: 2 1ks and 2 kids
 

I would go with 4 separate. With two adults you've got lots of flexibility. Worst case one clears and you do your so a solid

How old are the kids? I'm unclear as to why the family would opt to fly in separate cabins.

If the kids aren't on a PNR with a 1k, they won't get CPU until you get to the airport to waitlist them as a companion.

I'd stick with #1 to have equal chance of everyone clearing, or a 4th option would be 2 PNRs, 1 with a 1k and 1 with the 3 others. This is the most likely to have at least 1 person clear, but less likely to have all 4 clear. Still better than #2 though.

Kids are young. If 2 CPUs the wife takes one up to the front. If 3 CPUs wife and kids go up front (and I am at peace in coach).

The only way for 3 or 4 CPUs is you and child in one PNR, and wife and child in another PNR. That's what I would do - 2 PNRs.

If it gets to a battlefield upgrade, then you can decide whether to split again at the airport. Usually 1Ks don't have to worry about those.

Adopt me!

Agreed. Although the chance of 4 upgrades depends/varies substantially on the equipment and route. And if only 1 (or 2) clear I often send a kid (or two) up front and tell the FA where I am (usually in first few rows of E+). Kids (over 8 years old) gets a joy ride and is/are usually very well behaved, and FA usually sends free drinks back to me and mom in coach. The only thing I don't do is leave 2 pre-teens in coach alone together. World War 3 ensues when one defeats the other in a video game. They need referees and penalty boxes at that point (yes, 2 boys). They don't act that way when they are given 1st class seats, lol. If only 2 upgrades clear, sometimes I have Mom sit up front and have the kids swap seats halfway. Totally different story for younger kids, family must stay together or wife will hate me forever. :td: