I'm sure I've seen this discussed in previous threads but couldn't get them to come up, so thanks to anyone who can find it or give me an updated answer:

What's the current conventional wisdom on waiting on the waitlist vs calling frequently? I'm waitlisted for a couple Y+ to J upgrades. (HKG-JFK and ORD-HKG during a busy time, so I expect it to be a close-run thing although the flights are all 9s right now.)

When I called in to waitlist, the Manila call center agent made an odd comment about how I could "stay on the waitlist or you also can call in sometimes." I can see on MMB that she did put me on the waitlist. And I've cleared off a waitlist in the past. But I also know that the waitlist doesn't clear automatically as soon as inventory becomes available.

So are people having success clearing automatically? Or is it worth my time to call in periodically in case there's a computer hold-up in clearing the waitlist after inventory opens?

I can't tell you which is better, but I can tell you that in the past my AM redemption waitlists have cleared and usually they notify of this immediately by SMS/email.

I would not even waste your time calling. MPC Manilla are absolutely useless and they have no power to open-up seats for you. If you were Diamond - I might suggest calling a few times to push your case (my partner is Diamond and sometimes it works) but as you are Gold - hold your breath.

For standard award tickets, I know you are allowed to wait list for up to three flights. I am not sure if this is the case for upgrade award tickets, but no harm in calling and finding out. If it is - get on as many wait lists as you can for the flights around your desired time, this will increase your chances.

In terms of auto clear - I always think it works and have never found award availability first (searching on CX) before it was given to me anyway because I was wait listed. If you want - there are some programmes - not sure what they are called KVS Availability? Do a search on here and there are loads of results and the programme will check for availability once a day every day.

In all honesty - just forget about it and if it happens, as midlevels said, you'll get a text or an e-mail.

Calling several times, generally, dont help as they will not open up a seat for you.

However, the waitlist does not clear automatically instantly (i remember that there is a thread for that), and when a seat open up, they will be available for everyone until the system do a check on all the waitlist and clear the waitlist. The gap between them may be hours and I have experience that the seat is gone before my waitlist got cleared.
Rather than calling, keep checking on CX.com, or as suggested above, use program to monitor that for you.

^ +1

There is definitely a lag between when the system releases award seats and the waitlists clear.

Have had to call MPO in the past to confirm waitlisting (or even split the booking into 2, as I was waitlisting for both my wife and I and I wanted to lock in the seat).

From memory / other old threads I think there is roughly up to a 24hour time lag (i.e. systems sweeps once a day)

I'm new at AM award bookings.I purchased an R fare.Can anyone advise whether AM/CX will put an UG award on hold if there are not enough miles in account to cover award.Would prefer not to transfer points/miles until I'm sure UG will clear.Thanks for any info.

Can't have the best of both world.

I believe that if you have 70% of the miles required, yes you can.