Feb 22, 2017, 12:57 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Active thread Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues"
Waitilisting for awards
Click for the current rules from United
Member experiences:
At the airport if you have not yet cleared:
Note: The correct priority term here may in fact be a code that is one of WAI, WBI, WCI, or WDI 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 seem 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.
Waitilisting for awards
Click for the current rules from United
From the above link: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 must have a confirmed segment to wait list 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.
- Maximum number of WL segments in a PNR is 2.
- When confirmed segment is on a partner, you can waitlist for UA operated alternative.A report of being refused waitlisting for Economy{mixed reports - need further confirmation/clarification}.
At the airport if you have not yet cleared:
Note: The correct priority term here may in fact be a code that is one of WAI, WBI, WCI, or WDI 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.
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 seem 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.
Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues [ARCHIVE]
Feb 8, 2017, 1:09 pm
#1516
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
If you've ever searched for saver J or F awards, you have undoubtedly seen the website return "mixed" awards where less than all segments are in the premium cabin yet cost the full J or F price. UA offers no "discount" due to the mixed cabin.
Feb 8, 2017, 2:18 pm
#1517
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
Programs: UA Gold, CO Plat, CO Million Miler
Posts: 2,617
um, please cite us to the place where UA says that.
If you've ever searched for saver J or F awards, you have undoubtedly seen the website return "mixed" awards where less than all segments are in the premium cabin yet cost the full J or F price. UA offers no "discount" due to the mixed cabin.
If you've ever searched for saver J or F awards, you have undoubtedly seen the website return "mixed" awards where less than all segments are in the premium cabin yet cost the full J or F price. UA offers no "discount" due to the mixed cabin.
You may redeem miles for travel in United PolarisSM first class, United First, United Business or United Polaris business class, 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 Polaris business class and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United Polaris business class 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.
Feb 8, 2017, 2:20 pm
#1518
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Here's from their website regarding saver award waitlists. See bolded area....it's saying it a bit backward, but it has been clear from the old Plan B days that if you for instance booked ORD-EWR-CDG, and you cleared on ORD-EWR, but not EWR-CDG, you get all your miles refunded, and the ORD-EWR is a freebie.
You may redeem miles for travel in United PolarisSM first class, United First, United Business or United Polaris business class, 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 Polaris business class and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United Polaris business class 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 may redeem miles for travel in United PolarisSM first class, United First, United Business or United Polaris business class, 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 Polaris business class and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United Polaris business class 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.
Feb 8, 2017, 2:22 pm
#1519
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 43
Dan over at DansDeals says as much: "Even if you do get a seat in First Class for the non-[businessfirst] portion but do not get the [businessfirst] seat you will get the mileage refund"
Technically, the rules say "For United Polaris business class and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United Polaris business class or United Business class segment of the trip could not be confirmed." The fact you had a connection in United First wouldn't change that statement, though I imagine it would be hard to hold an agent to it who doesn't want to issue a refund.
Feb 9, 2017, 11:15 pm
#1520
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: ASHBURN,VA,USA
Programs: UA 1K3MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hertz PC
Posts: 405
waitlisting strategy for saver awards in premium cabins on IAD-FRA ?
Here is the context ...
I booked a saver economy award on IAD-FRA on a friday evening.
and requested to be put on waitlist for polaris business on the same flight .
on IAD-FRA on fridays I am thinking that there could be a lot of paid business class flyers ..diminishing my chances to see the business class waitlist clear ...
So here is the question :
-should I waitlist for Polaris first instead of Polaris business (on the account that paid first class demand is probably lower than paid business class) ( FWIW both first and business seem to have good availabilty at this point a month or so from travel)
-can I waitlist for Polaris first in addtion to waitlist for polaris business on that same flight ? -> that would be to maximise my chances of either clearing ...
what happens if/when one clears : does the other one gets removed too ?
-is there a timing aspect to this ? .. stick with the business waitlist until maybe a week before flying and then, if it is hasnt cleared, request a first class waitlist instead ?
Thanks !
I booked a saver economy award on IAD-FRA on a friday evening.
and requested to be put on waitlist for polaris business on the same flight .
on IAD-FRA on fridays I am thinking that there could be a lot of paid business class flyers ..diminishing my chances to see the business class waitlist clear ...
So here is the question :
-should I waitlist for Polaris first instead of Polaris business (on the account that paid first class demand is probably lower than paid business class) ( FWIW both first and business seem to have good availabilty at this point a month or so from travel)
-can I waitlist for Polaris first in addtion to waitlist for polaris business on that same flight ? -> that would be to maximise my chances of either clearing ...
what happens if/when one clears : does the other one gets removed too ?
-is there a timing aspect to this ? .. stick with the business waitlist until maybe a week before flying and then, if it is hasnt cleared, request a first class waitlist instead ?
Thanks !
Feb 11, 2017, 10:59 am
#1521
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Has anyone ever cleared off the waitlist from X into I on an EWR - SFO flight? In the past I have never seen a PS flight release a business saver award.
I am thinking of booking EWR - SFO for a flight in 2 months to try out Polaris. They have economy saver available now. Just curious what my chances are clearing before T-24 hours, and then having to play the standby list game at the airport.
I am thinking of booking EWR - SFO for a flight in 2 months to try out Polaris. They have economy saver available now. Just curious what my chances are clearing before T-24 hours, and then having to play the standby list game at the airport.
Feb 11, 2017, 12:07 pm
#1522
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Has anyone ever cleared off the waitlist from X into I on an EWR - SFO flight? In the past I have never seen a PS flight release a business saver award.
I am thinking of booking EWR - SFO for a flight in 2 months to try out Polaris. They have economy saver available now. Just curious what my chances are clearing before T-24 hours, and then having to play the standby list game at the airport.
I am thinking of booking EWR - SFO for a flight in 2 months to try out Polaris. They have economy saver available now. Just curious what my chances are clearing before T-24 hours, and then having to play the standby list game at the airport.
Feb 11, 2017, 1:35 pm
#1525
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Oh good call. I didn't catch that. I got too excited when I saw the 1-2-1 configuration haha. That being said... anyone ever clear from X to I on a PS flight off the waitlist?
Feb 11, 2017, 8:53 pm
#1526
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAD
Posts: 319
So good news, after a couple of weeks of waiting, my plan B worked, biz->F cleared about 10 days out. I have biz on a connecting partner segment, so the mileage is even them same FTW.
Feb 13, 2017, 5:55 pm
#1527
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,353
Feb 18, 2017, 4:14 am
#1528
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 664
AMS-IAH on 9/3. Waitlisted for J, how likely will me and my companion clear?
Feb 20, 2017, 5:56 pm
#1529
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Hi, I just booked a trip with (XN) outbound, (X) Excursionist perk, and (I) return. None of my flights are non-stop. 
The only UA metal flights are the (XN) outbound, LAX-SFO-CDG. When I setup Plan B, I asked only to be waitlisted for the long-haul leg (SFO-CDG). I was charged 27,500 more points. Total was 127,500 points. Please see attachment.
1) Does everything look right in the attachment and was this the correct way to book?
2) If I asked to be put on the waitlist for LAX-SFO and this short flight got cleared but the SFO-CDG flight didn't, I wouldn't get the 27,500 points refunded?
3) Since I'm waitlisted on the 2nd half, if I don't get cleared before 24 hours, will I have to wait until I get to the SFO gate to be put on the stand-by list?
The only UA metal flights are the (XN) outbound, LAX-SFO-CDG. When I setup Plan B, I asked only to be waitlisted for the long-haul leg (SFO-CDG). I was charged 27,500 more points. Total was 127,500 points. Please see attachment.
1) Does everything look right in the attachment and was this the correct way to book?
2) If I asked to be put on the waitlist for LAX-SFO and this short flight got cleared but the SFO-CDG flight didn't, I wouldn't get the 27,500 points refunded?
3) Since I'm waitlisted on the 2nd half, if I don't get cleared before 24 hours, will I have to wait until I get to the SFO gate to be put on the stand-by list?
Feb 20, 2017, 6:42 pm
#1530
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,353
Hi, I just booked a trip with (XN) outbound, (X) Excursionist perk, and (I) return. None of my flights are non-stop.
The only UA metal flights are the (XN) outbound, LAX-SFO-CDG. When I setup Plan B, I asked only to be waitlisted for the long-haul leg (SFO-CDG). I was charged 27,500 more points. Total was 127,500 points. Please see attachment.
1) Does everything look right in the attachment and was this the correct way to book?
The only UA metal flights are the (XN) outbound, LAX-SFO-CDG. When I setup Plan B, I asked only to be waitlisted for the long-haul leg (SFO-CDG). I was charged 27,500 more points. Total was 127,500 points. Please see attachment.
1) Does everything look right in the attachment and was this the correct way to book?
Many others have been jilted out of an upgrade due to poor agents' understandings at the gate. Read up (as in, read the above posts), be prepared! Bring as much documentation as you can regarding P1 status, etc. If you can, get to the UC at T-24 (whenever you can of course, sooner is better) and ask those agents to help. Even if everything is looking ok at the gate, ask them to verify PR1 status, #1 on waitlist, etc. PR1 means you are a displaced pax, you have paid for a higher level of service (with miles) and DESERVE priority over all others.
Good news is that SFO agents are quite well-versed in UA upgrades (well, many agents there are; at least you are not dealing w "UA" staff in FRA where it gets dicey arguing w them).
GOOD LUCK!