1. I waited successfully, but on JFK-YVR-HKG, when i did it on RTW. however, those seats are also very limited, so limited that i waited till the last week even though i am a Diamond MPO member. In my trip, it appeared that more people jumped off at YVR than those getting on, So it does not surprise me that they can fill JFK-YVR easier than YVR-HKG [the reason being those A2R discounted fares are offered]
2. Those 12 seats are almost always fully booked. And, unlike J/D cls, they cannot be overbooked as there is no seat to upgrade you into. Therefore, it follows that no-show will always release seat. If they go down the priority list (eg Full F holder waiting, then overbooked J passenger), they should let you in if you take the risk to wait at the gate.
therefore, if ITN shows that J is pretty much empty you stand a good chance of getting on A. {They will not leave the seat empty}
3. If you end up travelling in J for 1 or 2 segment(s), they should reimburse you the difference between A2R (i.e. 5500 CAD) and that of full fare J (not D, as should be stated in your A2R fare rule}. but i guess this amount is very small. I can almost tell you right now that you do not get the A2R-D2R difference.
4. travel agent could help. but also try to call up MPO/CX from time to time. if there is only 1 or 2 seats you could chase for, you need to be of high tier to be succesfully waitlisted (as DM members always jump ahead of the line)
5. Not that YYZ-HKG A class is always open, so if you are on RTW, you could consider this alternative route. (i guess this does not apply to your case, Mr Lim)



[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 01-03-2001).]