Chances are this has been asked and answered, but I don't recall seeing it in the past two years and a search under "partial check-in" did not seem to return any relevant posts.

So here is the deal.

In a few weeks I will be flying LHR-LAX-SEA. I am confirmed in NF LAX-SEA and waitlisted for NC LHR-LAX. I am using a gifted e-SWU as my upgrade instrument and it has been applied to my PNR.

If I remain waitlisted come my return, can I check-in only for the LHR-LAX segment? I would then check-in for LAX-SEA at the gate in LAX.

I ask because there is no way I want to use a SWU to upgrade LAX-SEA. And I don't want UA to pull the SWU at LHR, I fail to clear LHR-LAX, and then try and get the agent at LAX to allow me to use 500-milers or cancel the upgrade.

If I can just check-in for LHR-LAX, if I don't clear, I can then ask at LAX when I check-in to be allowed to use two 500 milers. If they decline, then I can just remove my upgrade request and take whatever they have available in back. Either way, the e-SWU would then be returned to the account of my "angel" for their own use, my use on a future flight in 2004, or for the use of someone else in 2004.