Just when I thought I knew all the rules I find a new one...

I just booked a flight IAD-LGA for myself and two friends, one reservation. Although I would never upgrade myself on such a short route, I thought my friends who never fly 1st would enjoy it. Besides, it's just one 500 cert, and I have them coming out my ears anyway. I just called res. and was told that I can only upgrade one other person with a 500-cert. Is this correct? I know that I've upgraded friends before who weren't flying with me with my 500-milers, so why is there a limit on how many people I can upgrade? If I were to split the record and send one friend off on his own record, could I then upgrade my other friend and myself, and then sponsor an uprade for friend #2? I know he won't clear on my status, but hey this is a 757 and no one upgrades on a 45 minute flight anyway.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

I'm not sure quite how you used 500s to upgrade someone you weren't traveling with, but the rules say you cannot do it. They also say you can only upgrade 1 companion on the same flight with you.

"Companions: Certificate is non-transferable, but may be used to upgrade one traveling companion to the same class of service following the same guidelines. Companion must be traveling on same flight as certificate holder. Additional upgrade certificate(s) will be required."

Link to the rules: http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,50027,00.html

I'd say the agent was right in this case. Somebody did you a favor when you did it in the past.

Easy solution I think

Upgrade yourself and one friend and then let the two friends take those seats.

I recently upgraded 3 flying companions on a SEA-DEN using my e-upgrades.

The reservations agents are going by the rules they have in front of them, which state that only 1 companion may be upgraded. They have no idea of how things work at check-in, or how things work at the gate.

At the gate, things tend to get a little more lenient. A friendly agent is not unlikely to let you upgrade 2 others using your 500-milers. People regularly report being able to bend the rules this way, even for friends not flying with them on the same flight.

Great call boulderflyer21...this I have done several times on short and medium trips, especially if my boss is one of these two friends!
Regarda
LWW

Actually this previously happened to me rather frequently when traveling with SO + grandchild. We often encounted probems...solution was to get both of them to 1p status as of this year and I remain 1k+ 1mm+. Especially important in long hauls like transpac and upgrades thereupon.
Regards
LWW

I really never came across this rule before. I've upgraded friends several times with my 500s, but now that I think of it, I think it was always at the airport. Often when I take a friend to the airport, I'll walk up to the counter with them and request to upgrade them with my 500 certs. Once I even signed a bluey for it... So I just assumed that they were transferable. Was this just check-in agents bending the rules for me each time? Looks like I'll have to split the record and just ask for an additional upgrade at check-in, or give away my F seat to my friend.

Yes.

I have a friend visiting next week, flying UA. He is non-status. Doesn't even have an MP number.

I really want him to experience flying F. I'll drive him to the airport on the return and see if I can UG him with my e-500s... <fingers crossed>

OTOH, it's a 737, so odds are low.

And please don't suggest I use a CR-1. It's DEN-DFW fer cryin out loud!

And it seems the agents are DCA are very lax about a lot of rules. Upgrading others not travelling with you, using vouchers that aren't in your name (didn't even have to take out the notarized letter)... makes things a lot easier (if not quite by the book)