Linking two Qantas/AA bookings for Upgrade/Seat Selection

[tobes]

Hi folks,

In a month or so I am travelling with my partner to the US. Due to the way my work books flights these are two separate bookings. I would like to be able to ensure we're seated together and ideally use my points for upgrade requests.

I rang Qantas and asked for the bookings to be linked and I was told that this was completed however all I can see is that my work email (not even FF email) was added to partners booking and I can't see her booking or submit for upgrades etc.

Any ideas on what I should do here? Did they just screw up the linking? I am sure I have done this in the past with separate bookings.

 

[Mwenenzi]

You can submit upgrade request from your account for other eligible family members. Is easy to do, but no guarantee will get a win in the QF upgrade lottery. A family upgrade application does not need to be linked.

So called "linking" is just text in the reservation. Means nothing and your status benefits do not flow to the linked reservation.
Some airlines have TCP to complete party notation.

 

[tobes]

You can submit upgrade request from your account for other eligible family members. Is easy to do, but no guarantee will get a win in the QF upgrade lottery. A family upgrade application does not need to be linked.

So called "linking" is just text in the reservation. Means nothing and your status benefits do not flow to the linked reservation.
Some airlines have TCP to complete party notation.

Thanks,
How can I submit an upgrade request using my points for a family member on a separate booking? Also, any tips on getting seat selection on AA?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks,
How can I submit an upgrade request using my points for a family member on a separate booking? Also, any tips on getting seat selection on AA?

Log into your account
Bookings
Upgrade a family member

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/my-account/upgrade-family-member.htm

Upgrade a family member
Want to add a little more luxury and comfort to a loved one's flight experience?
Whether it’s a special occasion or simply a nice surprise, you can use your Qantas Points to request an upgrade* for an Eligible Family member^ even when you’re not flying.

Simply enter your family member’s booking reference number and surname below, so we can link the upgrade request to their booking.

 

[madrooster]

Means nothing and your status benefits do not flow to the linked reservation.

If done correctly, it does allow some limited benefits to flow to the other PNRs, eg. accessing preferred seating rows. It's also important for PCV reasons - the linked booking takes on the PCV of the highest PCV pax.