Brand new 1k, still learning how to play.
1. EWR - TXL
2. 3/19/15
3. Fare Class Q
4. Y-C
5. 28 weeks (yes, 7 months in advance)
6. Didn't clear

(Was looking okay until Lufthansa went on strike....)

LHR-IAD
3-27-15
M fare
Y-C
3-18-15
#1 on the list, probably ruined by having a leg on aer lingus coming here, bah, hate that they can't work that checkin better with "partner"

Also 8C opened up on the phone and then dissaperred, while I stay as #1, hmmm....good thing I have no one in my row and I could use the GPU in a better spot than LHR-IAD. Hope I get a complimentary wine

NRT - ORD on 7/27/15
Booked 6/20/15 - GPU applied on 7/01/15
W Fare
At departure - No. 7 on list

Just arrived on this flight a few hours ago. Three empties in the upper deck and six in the lower deck. You were a day too late, unfortunately.

11/14/15
IAH-MUC
U fare
Booked 10/2/15
Y-C
1K
4 on the list, R=1 on Tuesday, called about 20 times, couldn't find an agent to clear me, awesome

Ugh. Some things never change. Unbelievable.

Fwiw, next time ask the agent to withdraw and redeposit the GPU, then go online and reapply it. You'll clear immediately into the open R space.

IAD-MUC, Nov 16
 

Wife was at the top of upgrade standby list when the door closed. Someone who was a few spots below in the upgrade standby list got upgraded at T-3h. Should my wife complain to 1K Voice?

Cheaper buy up offer trumps wait listed instruments

This is the best method I've found when R space exists and GPU doesn't automatically clear. I have to wonder if the agent knows what I am doing but never had one say anything. *shrug*

That person was shown up on the upgraded list after the flight departed. It was not an upsell issue.

FRA-IAD UA988
19 NOV 2015
Y -> C

GPU applied at booking - 3 weeks out
It was Z9 at that time so I bought up to W (S was available)

J7 at 24 hours so I had my fingers crossed.

Ended up #11.

I'm thinking at least a few of those were TOD. I had a problem and couldn't check in until the airport (at another European airport with LH). Never even got to see a buy-up offer.

Got charged for a mixed-drink.

Do they open up more R a few hours before a long haul flight? I noticed they did last year but not this year.
I have 6 gpu still because I can't get any R availability in EWR.

Occasionally they will open R at T-24 or later (T-3, T-1). But not with regularity as as they used to.

SFO-HND
Booked in March 2016
W class
Travel date Friday 10 June
Did not clear at booking, didn't clear on the day of flight. I was first on waitlist. Business was booked full according to the agent.
Incredibly disappointing and not sure why I keep paying a premium for W fares and working to get 1K when the GPUs don't clear.

My sincere sympathy for you. This is usually piece of cake when it comes to getting the upgrade, but there must be a lot business passengers purchasing the seat out right.