Yesterday, I was able to achieve wl status for flights on UA that had not saver award space available. No special words needed - maybe I just got a helpful and competent agent - but truly most are.

Changes were listed on my reservation.

Thank you ^ and it's done-took all of two minutes but one more question....

How late could the wailtist for the n/s CDG-EWR clear as the reason I ask is that their scheduled flight departs CDG to FRA at 10:45am and the waitlisted UA flight CDG-EWR departs at 9:25am and I'm wondering if it might be advisable that if after checking in on-line with LH to stop at the UA counter at CDG "just in case" (or not check-in on-line with LH and then stop by UA before heading over to the LH counter to check-in)

If and when a waitlisted segment clears, in particular on a more direct routing, what happens to the other segments you were confirmed on? Do they automatically drop off or do you need to call in to get the ticket reissued with the new routing?

Can you waitlist for part of a multi-segment trip, for example if you have AAA-BBB-CCC-DDD-EEE, can you waitlist for AAA-CCC and keep the rest to DDD-EEE?

yes

I am speechless about what just happened to me.

I just recently found this thread, and decided to waitlist a flight in the hope that it will not reprice after Feb. 1st. The original itinerary was RNO-SFO-ORD-FRA-OTP with ORD-FRA in UA Global First. I decided to waitlist SFO-FRA in UA Global First as well, and I did that by using the United Click-to-Call service this morning. 6 hours later I received an email that the waitlist has cleared, I called and had the reservation re-ticketed (and without any change fees).

How is this possible, to have the waitlisted segment (in O, not in ON) clear in several hours? I checked before calling, and the United website didn't show an award availability when searching for an award. Did the system just opened availability for us (we are talking about 3 award tickets)? I have no status, only the United Explorer credit card. I've been checking the United website almost daily for the last 8 months and I saw availability for SFO-FRA in United Global First only for one day in June 2014, and unfortunately it wouldn't have worked for us.

Quick get your butt to Vegas and start laying bets on the wheel right now because hitting a couple numbers is nothing compared to the luck of that score.

I have had the same experience for upgrades / award waitlist happen a few times (not the norm IME but it has happen). Put the request in and it clears in 12-24 hours and in the days of EF alerts, no hint of space being made available. Have surmised the waitlist triggers a message to a computer / human that for some reason decided to clear the waitlist -- one reason I have spoke against the idea of not using waitlists and waiting to T-24. The existence of a waitlist can seem to trigger a response.

Just disappointed that don't know the magic words to make this happen more often. :D

No need to go to Vegas, since I'm in Reno :p. Maybe I can hit the casinos on my way home tonight :D.

Well, now I know, but it's the first time I heard about it. Even if it doesn't happen every time, it is a way better chance than waiting for space to open. And thanks everybody for participating in this thread, because it has helped me tremendously!

I have the following first class saver ticket:

IND-EWR, UA X
JFK-FRA, LH I
FRA-BKK, TG O
BKK-SIN, TG I

1. Waitlisting is only possible for UA flights (not partner), right?

2. For the UA flight that I have in economy now, do I ask to be waitlisted for ON or IN? All 6 first class seats are available (yet none are bookable with miles :mad:).

1. Only UA flights, yes.
2. You waitlist for I/IN for domestic flights.

What's the diff between I and IN, and is one preferred over the other for my case? Thanks.

I/IN are business class award inventory. IN, for elites Plat and above, and should have availablity >= I, for those below Plat. The agent/computer will pick the correct category for you.

I have an itinerary that is an international business saver award, all but 2 segments in "I", the exceptions showing as "X" (but on aircraft with BF cabins). I called in to ask to be waitlisted for those two segments should any "I" inventory open up. The CSR checked, told me that there was currently no "I" seats available on those flights (which I already knew), and proceeded to tell me that I should check in again sometime to see if seats became available. I inquired as to why I couldn't be waitlisted for those seats, and he told me that they do not waitlist in that way. So, if I diligently check on a daily basis to see if "I" seats become available, they will happily give them to me, but not put me on a waitlist for the seats.

Is this now policy, or was I just talking to the wrong CSR? He added that he had a made a note on the reservation that I had called in looking to 'upgrade' to I. Will this hamper me if I call back in the hopes of a better CSR?

Waitlisting for cabin change can be done for UA / UX operated flights. Just did one a few days ago.
Waitlisiting for partner flights can not be done (and never has been), that requires manual checking (now banned EF alerts were good for this).

I have a award booking, as listed below. Is it possible to call united and change it to the First class redemption level so I can change it to LH F when it opens up? Is that allowed?

MNL-BKK TG business
BKK-FRA TG economy
FRA-JFK LH business