How does waitlisting work?
 

Hi,

I am flying ATL-MNL on 6 Jul, returning 21 Jul. I am a PM and purchased a B class ticket so I could use my SWU certificates to upgrade. The upgrade has come through on the outbound leg from NRT-MNL and all they way back to ATL on the return leg but I am still waitlisted on the outbound ATL-NRT leg. My question is how long before the upgrade will come through? I purchased the ticket about 10 days ago. Thanks for the help.

I've had a bad experience using the waitlist feature, and don't plan on ever using it again for a multi-segment flight. The agent promised that miles would not be removed from my account unless I was upgraded on all segments (I did the mileage upgrade), but yet miles were removed and the process was an overall nightmare. Not sure how this will work with the SWU, it really depends on when the computer opens up the fare class (X?) for your flight. It may never open, which was what happened in my case, so I only ended up getting 1/2 segments upgraded, but they still took all of my 12,500 miles.

IMO it does not work at all. If you cannot get the UG at the time of booking I would not buy he ticket unless you are ok with being in the back. I have never had a wait list clear....ever.

I have cleared the waitlist multiple times on a Y/B/M fare using SWU's. It's a crapshoot, but it does work on occasion. Seeing as you already bought your M fare ticket just sit tight and wait. The recent change to allow same-day upgrades will also improve your odds.

I agree. To Europe from MSP, I have had some clear, others not. Although, I think my odds in a crapshoot are better :)

As for the same day upgrade - that's a fiasco. Tried to do that AMS->MSP last week -> seats were available - but check-in/gate staff were KLM -> so from a computer perspective - it was impossible (KLM's systems didn't allow them to do it.) Another example of Delta promising a benefit..and due to systems issues with them and their ST partners - it can't be fulfilled. In the OP's case however, it might be OK as the UG is sought from a domestic station.

Pay $9 for a subscription at http://www.expertflyer.com. Search for your flight and see the Z availability. Set up an alert to be notified when Z opens up. When you get the email, call SMS and ask them to if they can process your upgrade as you noticed Z is available.

You may want to manually check expert flyer as it only checks for availability periodically. For example, I was trying to get upgraded on ZRH-ATL later this week. I saw that Z was full and setup an alert. A few hours later, I checked and Z had 2 seats. Called SMS and got the upgrade processed. About an hour later, expert flyer sent me an email that there was availability in Z.

Good Luck.