I got lucky this time as the cheapest fare available for my schedule was only $50 less then W fare. I am comfortable with a $50 gamble.

Going to go to Munich for Oktoberfest. Hope I can get there in business class on a new config. Flying to Frankfurt as there are two flights a day instead of one in to Munich. Thanks for all the responses.

Hopefully this thread helps someone when they are waitlisted in the future. Stinks that the new system doesn't monitor waitlisted and automatically do it for you.

This is my last year flying regularly with United. Going to lose status next year and it sounds like I picked the right time to come off the work travel team.