Waitlisting into a specific fare class
Mar 12, 2023 | 12:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Bronze, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 576
Waitlisting into a specific fare class
I'm looking to book a specific flight on a specific day from Europe - Hong Kong. I've pulled the availability off ExpertFlyer and seen this for the first time:
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
Mar 12, 2023 | 1:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 7,220
I'm looking to book a specific flight on a specific day from Europe - Hong Kong. I've pulled the availability off ExpertFlyer and seen this for the first time:
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
Nov 16, 2025 | 7:48 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 334
Different use case here. I'm booked in economy, paid fare, but business is sold out. I would like to waitlist for paid business (no upgrade/award). Is this pretty straightforward to do via CX call centre? How do they notify you if inventory opens up in business class? Or do you pay the higher fare when waitlisting, and if inventory opens you just clear automatically?
Nov 16, 2025 | 10:36 am
#6
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 22,113
I dont know whether CX can do waitlist for paid fare classes, Ive never tried and would like to hear from someone who does.
I can do the same by setting a fare class alert on Expertflyer.
I can do the same by setting a fare class alert on Expertflyer.
Nov 16, 2025 | 11:01 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: Cathay, KrisFlyer, Hyatt, Hilton, Bonvoy
Posts: 1,161
I'm looking to book a specific flight on a specific day from Europe - Hong Kong. I've pulled the availability off ExpertFlyer and seen this for the first time:
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
JL CL DL PL IL WL RL EL Y9 B9 HL KLML LL VL SL NL QL OL
I understand that the 'L' following the fare class means waitlisting. Has anyone waitlisted into a lower fare bucket before? I'm looking to travel Y but (call me stingy) would rather not pay the Y fare and instead a, for example, V fare if I could. Can I call CX to do this and/or would travel agents be willing to help?
Nov 16, 2025 | 7:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SYD
Programs: DM Cathay Pacific, QF Platinum One, IHG Diamond, Marriott GOLD, Hilton Gold
Posts: 95
yes, its possible if you had an active booking. You can book ticket in E class and put waitlist in I class.
Nov 19, 2025 | 7:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 334
And just to reply to my own inquiry, I did call CX and they were able to waitlist me for business class on my paid economy fare. The agent referred to it as an "exception" but I think he was just confused and wanted to set my expectations before he called a supervisor to get it done. The agent said I'd get an email if it became available.
The only wrinkle is that I am waitlisted for the highest booking class (J), when I would have preferred to waitlist for a lower one. So if you do that, try to specify the booking class.
The only wrinkle is that I am waitlisted for the highest booking class (J), when I would have preferred to waitlist for a lower one. So if you do that, try to specify the booking class.
Nov 20, 2025 | 4:52 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: Cathay, KrisFlyer, Hyatt, Hilton, Bonvoy
Posts: 1,161
And just to reply to my own inquiry, I did call CX and they were able to waitlist me for business class on my paid economy fare. The agent referred to it as an "exception" but I think he was just confused and wanted to set my expectations before he called a supervisor to get it done. The agent said I'd get an email if it became available.
The only wrinkle is that I am waitlisted for the highest booking class (J), when I would have preferred to waitlist for a lower one. So if you do that, try to specify the booking class.
The only wrinkle is that I am waitlisted for the highest booking class (J), when I would have preferred to waitlist for a lower one. So if you do that, try to specify the booking class.