Mar 31, 2014, 3:57 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Waitlisting for awards
Click for the current rules from United
Waitlisting options
Waitlisting can only be done over the phone, not online.
You can not book a standard award and then waitlist for a saver award.
If waitlisting for a higher cabin, best if done at the time of booking or soon afterward.
If done more than 24 hours after booking you may be charged an award change fee.
Generally, the waitlisted class mileage is deducted at time of request and will be refunded if unsuccessful
When waitlisting for a higher, state you are waitlisting for I (or IN if a plat or higher) -- do not use the word "upgrade", it may confuse the agent
If waitlisting for a segment when the rest of the segments are already in the higher cabin, there is no refund if unsuccessful
Member experiences:
Note: The correct priority term here may, in fact, be a code that is one of WAX, WBX, WCX, or WDX depending on status. The is per GG ONESTANDBY lines 32-55.
Note: PR-1 status is given to those who "paid" the requisite miles for an upgraded seat (i.e. biz) when only the non-upgraded space (i.e. coach) was available. The PR-1* status is to clue the system (and agents) in so that it is clear that you have been "displaced." (NOTE: once you have obtained PR-1 status, should there be any change to your ticket, e.g., an involuntary reroute by UA due to missing a connection, the PR-1 status will most likely get dropped and you must have it reattached (esp. before any UGs are given to others).
Unfortunately at T-24, many GAs do not get this concept. Use the above to plead your case but be prepared to be unsatisfied. One method that can get you to a higher level of understanding is the UC. Their staff seems to not only have a better understanding of the issues, but they can contact the gate and exert some influence on the less informed GAs, AND they seem to have more of an interest in helping PAX. If you can get into the UC, it will be worth your while.
**Note: If you get the UG on the long haul, the higher level of award miles you are using (like with the GPU) are considered used up regardless of the short haul. You will not be charged the lower level # of miles (i.e. refunded the diff between the lower level and the higher level you paid in advance), rather the higher level award miles will be considered spent. That is the risk you take when you do Plan B.
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
Archive of past posts - Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues [ARCHIVE]
Click for the current rules from United
Waitlisting options
- Waitlist for alternative flights times / routing
- Waitlisting for a different cabin
From the above link on waitlisting for a different cabin: You may redeem miles for travel in United Global First, United First, United Business or United BusinessFirst, even if the space is not available. In these cases, United Economy in the same award type must be confirmed, and the front cabin will be waitlisted. If the courtesy waitlist does not clear, it will expire 24 hours before itinerary departure, and you will automatically be added to the airport upgrade standby list upon check-in. In these cases, you will be confirmed on a space-available basis by a United airport representative at the gate once the flight has closed for check-in. For United BusinessFirst and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United BusinessFirst or United Business class segment of the trip could not be confirmed. Waitlist requests may only be made over the phone with your local United Customer Contact Center.
You can not book a standard award and then waitlist for a saver award.
If waitlisting for a higher cabin, best if done at the time of booking or soon afterward.
If done more than 24 hours after booking you may be charged an award change fee.
Generally, the waitlisted class mileage is deducted at time of request and will be refunded if unsuccessful
When waitlisting for a higher, state you are waitlisting for I (or IN if a plat or higher) -- do not use the word "upgrade", it may confuse the agent
If waitlisting for a segment when the rest of the segments are already in the higher cabin, there is no refund if unsuccessful
Member experiences:
- You must have a confirmed segment to waitlist for different cabin and/or a different flight.
- Can only waitlist for UA/UX operated flight, cannot waitlist for partner flights. Can waitlist for UA/UX flights on a mixed itin.
- The maximum number of WL segments in a PNR is 2.
- When confirmed segment is on a partner, you can waitlist for UA operated alternative.
Note: The correct priority term here may, in fact, be a code that is one of WAX, WBX, WCX, or WDX depending on status. The is per GG ONESTANDBY lines 32-55.
The agent should give you “PR-1 status”* which gives you top-priority status and moves you to the very top of the upgrade standby list, ahead of employees and everyone else trying to upgrade with miles+cash. If one agent won’t put you on the list as a displaced Business class passenger with "PR-1 status"* then find another one who will. With this status, the odds of you getting a business class are very high if there are still open seats (or if anybody no-shows).
If the agents in the airport are all clueless you should direct them to look
up “gg onestandby” in their system (they’ll know exactly what this is)
and look around lines 85-89 which spell out the details of the procedure for
this award.
If the agents in the airport are all clueless you should direct them to look
up “gg onestandby” in their system (they’ll know exactly what this is)
and look around lines 85-89 which spell out the details of the procedure for
this award.
* note "PR-1" may not be the correct term, see the Wxx note proceeding this section
Unfortunately at T-24, many GAs do not get this concept. Use the above to plead your case but be prepared to be unsatisfied. One method that can get you to a higher level of understanding is the UC. Their staff seems to not only have a better understanding of the issues, but they can contact the gate and exert some influence on the less informed GAs, AND they seem to have more of an interest in helping PAX. If you can get into the UC, it will be worth your while.
**Note: If you get the UG on the long haul, the higher level of award miles you are using (like with the GPU) are considered used up regardless of the short haul. You will not be charged the lower level # of miles (i.e. refunded the diff between the lower level and the higher level you paid in advance), rather the higher level award miles will be considered spent. That is the risk you take when you do Plan B.
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
Archive of past posts - Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues [ARCHIVE]
Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues"
Nov 15, 2023, 11:31 am
#316
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Best metric is track the same flight on the same day of the week in prior weeks.
Unfortunately holidays disrupt that prediction method.
Nov 15, 2023, 1:09 pm
#317
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
What is the flight inventory; search only for the flight you’re interested in (no connecting flights)?
Last edited by jsloan; Nov 16, 2023 at 8:50 am
Nov 16, 2023, 3:13 am
#318
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA S, Marriott Gold (UA), Hertz PC (UA), HH Gold (cc), Avis PP, National EC Executive
Posts: 280
If you’re flexible, I have a lot of luck checking Sunday-Tuesday flights about a week before but only on certain routes. As was mentioned, it’s useful to see if I/IN opens on the same route for a couple days in the future - as best an indication as one can get for which flights *might* open week-of.
Nov 16, 2023, 2:23 pm
#319
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
thanks, funny, i would have thought that would be a lot open. it's over the holidays in dec, so not a lot of business travel. I'd guess most people have booked their holiday travel by now given international. 2 flights/day IAH->EZE. Even if no IN, thoughts on PN?
Nov 16, 2023, 2:47 pm
#320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
The best indicator of future PN/IN chances is the current load from Expert Mode. If it says J9 C0, your odds are terrible -- UA thinks they'll sell the current seats at very high prices. If they're J9 ... P9 PN0, then your odds are decent; they're discounting seats as much as they can, and the next stop is to open upgrade awards.
Nov 16, 2023, 3:39 pm
#321
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
Over the holidays is in your favor, but a month is still a long time.
The best indicator of future PN/IN chances is the current load from Expert Mode. If it says J9 C0, your odds are terrible -- UA thinks they'll sell the current seats at very high prices. If they're J9 ... P9 PN0, then your odds are decent; they're discounting seats as much as they can, and the next stop is to open upgrade awards.
The best indicator of future PN/IN chances is the current load from Expert Mode. If it says J9 C0, your odds are terrible -- UA thinks they'll sell the current seats at very high prices. If they're J9 ... P9 PN0, then your odds are decent; they're discounting seats as much as they can, and the next stop is to open upgrade awards.
To EZE: J9; JN9; C9; D5; Z0; P0
To IAH: J9; JN9; C9; D8; P0
Nov 16, 2023, 5:06 pm
#322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
Neither look great. Northbound looks better. You skipped Z on the northbound flight; Z8 would be a lot better than Z0.
Keep an eye on inventory to judge your chances; you're hoping to see the zeroes start to disappear.
Keep an eye on inventory to judge your chances; you're hoping to see the zeroes start to disappear.
Nov 16, 2023, 9:01 pm
#323
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
To EZE: J9; JN9; C9; D5; Z0; PN0; P0
To IAH: J9; JN9; C9; D8; Z0; PN0; P0
not what we want
Nov 19, 2023, 11:35 pm
#324
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Mixed Class Itinerary: what fare class would need to open up for First domestic leg?
I just booked a mixed-class one-way ticket SEA-SFO-SYD, first leg in Economy (XN), second leg in Polaris Business (I) for 100k miles.
Is this one of those situations where I could have gotten First Class in the SEA-SFO segment for the same price if a certain fare class had been available? If so, what's the fare class I should look out for?
Thank you in advance
Is this one of those situations where I could have gotten First Class in the SEA-SFO segment for the same price if a certain fare class had been available? If so, what's the fare class I should look out for?
Thank you in advance
Nov 20, 2023, 12:14 am
#327
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,834
Would have to be a Plat or higher elite, otherwise just I.
But yes, waitlisting (if you can make it happen) is best. Getting an agent to waitlist nowadays will take perseverance as most either do not know how to do it or believes it no long exists.
Otherwise, even if I shows up for the XN segment, finding an agent to make the change without repricing will be a challenge.
However, the chnace for I / IN to show up on that domestic segment is low.
But yes, waitlisting (if you can make it happen) is best. Getting an agent to waitlist nowadays will take perseverance as most either do not know how to do it or believes it no long exists.
Otherwise, even if I shows up for the XN segment, finding an agent to make the change without repricing will be a challenge.
However, the chnace for I / IN to show up on that domestic segment is low.
Nov 20, 2023, 10:36 am
#328
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Would have to be a Plat or higher elite, otherwise just I.
But yes, waitlisting (if you can make it happen) is best. Getting an agent to waitlist nowadays will take perseverance as most either do not know how to do it or believes it no long exists.
Otherwise, even if I shows up for the XN segment, finding an agent to make the change without repricing will be a challenge.
However, the chnace for I / IN to show up on that domestic segment is low.
But yes, waitlisting (if you can make it happen) is best. Getting an agent to waitlist nowadays will take perseverance as most either do not know how to do it or believes it no long exists.
Otherwise, even if I shows up for the XN segment, finding an agent to make the change without repricing will be a challenge.
However, the chnace for I / IN to show up on that domestic segment is low.
Is it normal that I do not see a fare class bucket for I class on ExpertFlyert?
Nov 20, 2023, 10:43 am
#329
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Posts: 14,406
They have a separate search tool for award and upgrade classes, but Star Alliance awards were removed recently. You would have to use UA Expert Mode to manually query I space, although any flight which is P0 will certainly not have any.
Nov 20, 2023, 10:49 am
#330
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
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https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...ta-alerts.html