Originally Posted by
Kacee
This is a good strategy if there is both fare class availability and R space open on the new flight. But you can't SDC if the same fare class is not available. And you are also likely to run into problems attempting to waitlist for an upgrade on a new flight within T-24, as that is technically against the rules.
If I had my heart set on the upgrade, I would consider paying to change to a flight with R availability (or possibly a wide open BF cabin) prior to T-24.
Actually the United.com website on SDC says "
You may stand by if seats are not available in the purchased fare class. In these cases, the same-day change fee will apply, but will not be charged unless you are assigned a seat on your alternate flight. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. Standby may be requested on the day of departure at an airport kiosk or with a United representative. Once you are added to the flight standby list, you can check your real-time standby status at united.com/flightstatus or on your mobile device at mobile.united.com/info."
Not sure how, but I have had the 1K desk push a GPU that was previously waitlisted to a Same-day flight. They pulled it then reapplied it. So its technically possible but maybe procedurally discouraged.
I really want to know if they waitlist you on the flight in Economy and the BF upgrades are made - will they pull from the flight standy list (note - not the upgrade standby list) to the BF seat at departure. The TLV flights are normally held to t-60 minutes before GA clearance of the Upgrade Standby List if not previously processed by a sweep. I've had only 1 instance (in 7 years) where R>1 open'd at >T-60 minutes (within airport control windows).