Originally Posted by daslax
So you're actually not on the "upgrade" waitlist, you're on the waitlist for "saver award business class". Big difference, as you're looking for XC inventory to clear as opposed to NC. They are completely separate waitlists, so you could have everyone on the NC waitlist clear for uprgades (incl people with lower status) while they never release any seats on the XC waitlist.
I believe, and people here can correct me if I'm wrong, that once at the airport it all becomes one big waitlist and you would be at the top of the list behind UGS.
You are right, and wrong at the same time... Once he is at the airport, the chance of his XC clearing, having him recredit his miles (pay for that) and then re-ticketing are about as good as the ATSB calling up UA and saying "We just re ran the numbers, Mr. Tilton, and we had a new accountant last month, and he forgot to add a place keeping zero to the end of our formula, so we are now not going to just give you your billion, we have cleared you for 8 billion."
XY standard, while the same miles as XF/XC saver, is NOT an upgradeable fare.