I'm trying to purchase a W or higher fare from IAH to ATH & use my 1K SWU (for first time bc I was always a COP). I depart AUG 31st and return Sept 9th, 2012. I refuse to go through Toronto and would prefer to be on a 777-200ER/400ER because I prefer the flat seats (And I had my first experience with UA Biz last year and no thank you).

I spent hours on the website and called the 1k line, (was told the hold time would be over 30 min, but 1 minute later a woman answered the phone). I asked her to look for the flights out of IAH direct to MUC or FRA (since website only offers 2 & 3 layover options). She had flights available and the BF is wide open, but all she can do is wait list me. Although she was not rude, she was not friendly and sounded worn out, so I didn't want to ask her too many questions or take up much of her time since I don't want to buy unless I can upgrade. And every time I did have a question, she said she had no idea or no way of knowing.

My question: Do I book on the flights I want to be on now, paying much higher than a normal coach ticket and risk being stuck in coach? (Although my confidence of being upgraded is zero after reading these boards. Any experience that it will help that I'm the first wait listed this far in advance? Even at 1K, doesn't that mean I go down on the list when a GS person books months later but joins the wait list? Another reason why I want to purchase only if I can apply the SWU at that time). Also, I saw a post saying that UA is breaking their partnership with LUF. IF that's true, then I feel I need to purchase this now since all connecting flight options in Europe are on LUF.

The tickets are so expensive right now, I'm not concerned about them going up (my experience is that they only go down when booking this far in advance). And if I wait, can't I just pay up a fare and that could put me above anyone wait listed for the seat?

If I do purchase and wait list, but another route opens up (either EWR, IAD or ORD), can I call and change the ticket or would it be completely different since I'm changing the layover. I've read all the fare rules on the V or H flights I've considered, but I can't see how much it will cost to change the ticket. I'm trying to avoid calling the airline since I've read on here how awful it is, and my trip isn't for another 6 months, so it isn't urgent. I've never had any issue booking in BF with CO before this far in advance, but none of the flights in the future have upgradable seats, (and agent said she had no idea of when the would open them up).

I am a newbie so please forgive my naivety. I did join ExpertFlyer (referred from these boards) to try to learn more, and explore flights and spent HOURS researching this. I'm finally asking for help