Waitlist only for first
Apr 27, 2011 | 5:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: EWR, ORD, IAH, LGA
Programs: UA GS, AA CK, DL PLT, HH DIA, MARRIOTT PLT, FAIRMONT LT PLT, HYATT DIA, SIXT PLT, AVIS PC
Posts: 506
Waitlist only for first
I am at the airport with my flight delayed. I would like to go on the earlier flight but only in the F seat in which I paid. When they put me on the waitlist I instantly clear into coach removing my confirmed seat on the next flight. How can they waitlist me only for first while keeping my original seat in case I don't clear?
Apr 27, 2011 | 9:26 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,885
You'll have to speak to the gate agent working the flight you're standing by for. They should be able to accommodate your request.
Apr 28, 2011 | 8:35 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: EWR, ORD, IAH, LGA
Programs: UA GS, AA CK, DL PLT, HH DIA, MARRIOTT PLT, FAIRMONT LT PLT, HYATT DIA, SIXT PLT, AVIS PC
Posts: 506
You would think but neither of the agents could figure out how to do it (without the instant clear into coach). I was wondering if anyone knows how to enter it in the system so next time I can explain it to them.
Apr 28, 2011 | 9:23 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,885
Paging sfogate?
When I did it, the gate agent seemed to have to handle the request manually. That may have been because Y was full as well, and she knew that if my name was next on the list for an available Y seat that I didn't want it, only F. Somehow she got it to work.
And by the way, the correct terminology in this case is "standby" not "waitlist". The waitlist works in advance, up until 24 hours before departure. The standby list (whether the flight standby or upgrade standby) is for at the gate.
When I did it, the gate agent seemed to have to handle the request manually. That may have been because Y was full as well, and she knew that if my name was next on the list for an available Y seat that I didn't want it, only F. Somehow she got it to work.
And by the way, the correct terminology in this case is "standby" not "waitlist". The waitlist works in advance, up until 24 hours before departure. The standby list (whether the flight standby or upgrade standby) is for at the gate.
Apr 29, 2011 | 8:42 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 333
I've run into the same issue. My flight was delayed IAH-CUN and the only confirmed seat that they could get me on the next flight was in Y, in a middle seat! The gate agent explained that she couldn't do anything about it since the people are in F already had confirmed tickets even though some of those were people received complimentary upgrades. Frustrating!
Apr 29, 2011 | 9:04 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
There is a way, but on the two occasions I've done this, it has required a supervisor or a phone call. Somehow, they disable the auto-clearing function, but it pops up and they either clear you into F or not as the case may be. On one occasion, there was F space and on the other, there was not. They did warn me that I needed to be right there because they won't delay the process.
Apr 29, 2011 | 2:58 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,885
I've run into the same issue. My flight was delayed IAH-CUN and the only confirmed seat that they could get me on the next flight was in Y, in a middle seat! The gate agent explained that she couldn't do anything about it since the people are in F already had confirmed tickets even though some of those were people received complimentary upgrades. Frustrating!
This thread concerns how to standby for the first class seat (should someone else cancel or no-show) without giving up your booked FC seat on your original flight, which is what would happen if they cleared you into Y first.