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]
Jun 23, 2017, 12:29 pm
#1801
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Using the Future United Flight Status Tool, I see F booked 5/12, and, on the standby tab, I see Y being "full." This flight is currently oversold in Y by at least three seats (7 - F4). They're willing to oversell it by two additional seats (Y2). There's an excellent chance that Y is oversold by even more than that -- the fact that they're blocking F inventory suggests to me that they're actually three seats beyond their sales target, which presumably includes a number of oversold seats already.
As to why UA hasn't gone ahead and opened up space proactively -- your guess is as good as mine. They know that they're going to have to move some people into F, and they have a list of people who are willing to pay extra for the privilege (I vs X). To me, that's a no-brainer.
Having said that, even if they don't clear the waitlist in advance, if you're right about the low elite load in Y, your kids should clear at the gate, as UA isn't going to op-up a no-status passenger before they clear the standby list. File this under 'Revenue Management is a black art," I guess.
As to why UA hasn't gone ahead and opened up space proactively -- your guess is as good as mine. They know that they're going to have to move some people into F, and they have a list of people who are willing to pay extra for the privilege (I vs X). To me, that's a no-brainer.
Having said that, even if they don't clear the waitlist in advance, if you're right about the low elite load in Y, your kids should clear at the gate, as UA isn't going to op-up a no-status passenger before they clear the standby list. File this under 'Revenue Management is a black art," I guess.
I had deduced the same final thoughts, although more gut and not as much "data"
In all reality this was a "FREE" IN upgrade, their IAD-HNL leg already friggin cleared.......kinda bizarre, but we are talking United here, so anything is possible
For whatever reason, when Y oversells into F it comes out of the "bottom" of the inventory ladder (i.e. F8 PN4 R4 I4, oversell by 4 more, F4 PN0 R0 I0). I suppose they consider the planned op-ups as "upgrades" and still want to sell some revenue seats.
To be fair, they absolutely run the gate list before doing op-ups, but I agree it is a little dicey with the I class waitlist. Definitely make sure they are listed on the upgrade standby list at check-in (in this case getting WDI priority is probably not necessary), and talk to the GA when they show up to make sure things are right.
Domestic op-ups are very rare but do happen. They tend to be concentrated on a few routes and times - I think the most I've ever seen was seven on an E75 LAX-MSP.
To be fair, they absolutely run the gate list before doing op-ups, but I agree it is a little dicey with the I class waitlist. Definitely make sure they are listed on the upgrade standby list at check-in (in this case getting WDI priority is probably not necessary), and talk to the GA when they show up to make sure things are right.
Domestic op-ups are very rare but do happen. They tend to be concentrated on a few routes and times - I think the most I've ever seen was seven on an E75 LAX-MSP.
I mean it is a 2 hour flight and my wife thinks that my daughter needs a "Reality check" anyway LOL ROFL
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 24, 2017 at 1:11 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Jun 23, 2017, 1:56 pm
#1802
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
I am local, small airport. GA knows me well and I help her out and give up my seat when travel plans allow. I talked to the gate agent last week and she has no idea what any of this means - she also works the check in counter as well. I plan to talk to 1K desk after I check in, to make sure wait list is appropriate. I mean it isn't a big airport, so not surprising.
I mean it is a 2 hour flight and my wife thinks that my daughter needs a "Reality check" anyway LOL ROFL
I mean it is a 2 hour flight and my wife thinks that my daughter needs a "Reality check" anyway LOL ROFL
The GA should be the one manually clearing op-ups should they prove necessary. If you're on good terms, I would just make sure the 1K desk gets them on the waitlist at any priority and then you should be fine.
Jun 24, 2017, 10:10 am
#1803
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
I have seen some absolutely ludicrous situations at the gate with regard to inventory and opups. I was in J on a 10+ overbooked SFO-LHR that had ~10 blocked in J: it went to F0 J3 C0 for the days before as a result of the block, then the agents announced it was overbooked at T-1:30 and I concurrently saw inventory go to J0 R7 for a short while before the opups happened. Haven't seen that disjointed J inventory before or since.
Jun 25, 2017, 8:26 pm
#1804
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 410
I am booked on LAX-EWR-BOS with IN-requested. If EWR-BOS clears and LAX-EWR doesn't, will I get the 12.5K back?
Should I have them remove the EWR-BOS segment from IN-requested, since I don't care about UG on that one and would rather save those miles?
Should I have them remove the EWR-BOS segment from IN-requested, since I don't care about UG on that one and would rather save those miles?
Jun 25, 2017, 8:46 pm
#1805
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
With United re-designating p.s from "BusinessFirst" to just "Business", the language now seems to clearly suggest not:
"In most instances, the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United Polaris business class or United Polaris first class, and none of the segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First or United Business on another segment".
The coast-to-coast routes are not Polaris. There labeled as "Business " on a ticket purchase and "Premium transcontinental service" elsewhere (vs Polaris Business). It was a lot less of a jump to ask a mileage or certificate redeposit when it was labeled BusinessFirst.
Jun 25, 2017, 9:45 pm
#1806
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I'd like to hear of recent experiencfes w/ similar situations like this (ie AAA--EWR/BOS-LAX/SFO).
With United re-designating p.s from "BusinessFirst" to just "Business", the language now seems to clearly suggest not:
"In most instances, the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United Polaris business class or United Polaris first class, and none of the segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First or United Business on another segment".
The coast-to-coast routes are not Polaris. There labeled as "Business " on a ticket purchase and "Premium transcontinental service" elsewhere (vs Polaris Business). It was a lot less of a jump to ask a mileage or certificate redeposit when it was labeled BusinessFirst.
With United re-designating p.s from "BusinessFirst" to just "Business", the language now seems to clearly suggest not:
"In most instances, the MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United Polaris business class or United Polaris first class, and none of the segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First or United Business on another segment".
The coast-to-coast routes are not Polaris. There labeled as "Business " on a ticket purchase and "Premium transcontinental service" elsewhere (vs Polaris Business). It was a lot less of a jump to ask a mileage or certificate redeposit when it was labeled BusinessFirst.
If you fly any one segment, the RPU is burnt (mileage plus upgrades seem to fall in line with RPU for verbage on use etc)
GPU is the only instrument with caveat for Polaris business or Polaris First
Jun 25, 2017, 10:46 pm
#1807
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: 66,844
Jun 26, 2017, 8:53 pm
#1808
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 221
A friend of mine just called in to waitlist for business and the agent waitlisted them for IN, but they are only Silver status. Does the system check whether the waitlister is entitled to IN (which silvers are not) before processing?
Jun 26, 2017, 11:06 pm
#1809
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,140
When they waitlist you for IN even though you're Gold, does it still clear normally?
A friend of mine just called in to waitlist for business and the agent waitlisted them for IN, but they are only Silver status. Does the system check whether the waitlister is entitled to IN (which silvers are not) before processing?
A friend of mine just called in to waitlist for business and the agent waitlisted them for IN, but they are only Silver status. Does the system check whether the waitlister is entitled to IN (which silvers are not) before processing?
Knock on wood, I'm 100% on waitlist clearance, bur the next time, who knows?
Jun 27, 2017, 1:56 pm
#1810
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
When they waitlist you for IN even though you're Gold, does it still clear normally?
A friend of mine just called in to waitlist for business and the agent waitlisted them for IN, but they are only Silver status. Does the system check whether the waitlister is entitled to IN (which silvers are not) before processing?
A friend of mine just called in to waitlist for business and the agent waitlisted them for IN, but they are only Silver status. Does the system check whether the waitlister is entitled to IN (which silvers are not) before processing?
That being said, it's incredibly rare to see a flight at IN1 I0. In my experience, it's pretty much a nonexistent benefit for Plats and above. Nothing like the actual difference between expanded X inventory, where it's not uncommon to see XN9 X0.
-FlyerBeek
Jun 29, 2017, 4:15 am
#1811
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Haha yeah, if you've cleared IAD-HNL then I think you've gotten your miles' worth
The GA should be the one manually clearing op-ups should they prove necessary. If you're on good terms, I would just make sure the 1K desk gets them on the waitlist at any priority and then you should be fine.
The GA should be the one manually clearing op-ups should they prove necessary. If you're on good terms, I would just make sure the 1K desk gets them on the waitlist at any priority and then you should be fine.
Good old IT dept
Jun 29, 2017, 2:27 pm
#1812
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: BA Gold, UA, Southwest
Posts: 119
Hi I set up my waitlist according to the advice here. My flight leaves in 12 hours. I called the UA call center and they said there are a bunch of 1k and global services requests ahead of you. I said I should be p1 because I've already paid miles for business class. He said you paid for coach ( i paid 57.5 K for this MXP -> DEN leg ). He said I don't know anybody who has the pull to put you ahead of them. What should I say? What is the name of this booking procedure and how do I explain it? Unfortunately the explanations in the Wiki don't make much sense to me.
Thanks
Thanks
Tell them to read "gg onestandby" Lines 32-55....This instructions them to place you on the standby list after PR1 but before PR2....the important thing to insist on is that you are standing by for the waitlisted seat you've already paid for, not upgrading...be polite, if you don't get someone who understands, HUCA.
Here's an excerpt from those lines. As you can see the standby code should be XCS for a premier gold, for silver or no status, the standby code would be XDS. That's behind a gold or above doing the same waitlisting thing but still below PR1 but above PR2. Chances are the call center won't help and you'll have to try at the airport, but that's still no sure thing. Please report back.
SSR CODE
WLPB STAR GOLD
WLPC PREMIER GOLD
STANDBY CODE
WBX FOR WLPB SSR
WCX FOR WLPC SSR
CODE PLACES CUSTOMER ON STANBY LIST
AFTER PR1 and BEFORE PR2
Here's an excerpt from those lines. As you can see the standby code should be XCS for a premier gold, for silver or no status, the standby code would be XDS. That's behind a gold or above doing the same waitlisting thing but still below PR1 but above PR2. Chances are the call center won't help and you'll have to try at the airport, but that's still no sure thing. Please report back.
SSR CODE
WLPB STAR GOLD
WLPC PREMIER GOLD
STANDBY CODE
WBX FOR WLPB SSR
WCX FOR WLPC SSR
CODE PLACES CUSTOMER ON STANBY LIST
AFTER PR1 and BEFORE PR2
About a month ago there were over 20 business seats still available according to a phone agent. Last week there were about 10 left. She assured me all of these were paid tickets and no upgrades had snuck in ahead of me. I'm skeptical, but whatever. We are about a week out and still have not cleared. There are still about 10 seats left, but I'm not feeling optimistic about this whole thing given the disappearance of all these business seats in the last few weeks.
I understand that if I still have not cleared 24 hours before departure I should call and try to get an agent to have the desk put me on the PR1 list if I can as a displaced business customer who has already paid in miles.
My question goes to the codes listed. I'm confused about where I rank vis-a-vis the 1k and global services people. Are these 1k/global "upgrades" or are they paying? I guess the question is who/what type of ticketed passenger would theoretically be ahead of us? Would they have to be paid as well or do the automatic upgrade type of people sneak in ahead of us? My booking says United Economy (XN)--I requested. I am a lowly silver with a mileage plus credit card.
Jun 29, 2017, 2:35 pm
#1813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
About a month ago there were over 20 business seats still available according to a phone agent. Last week there were about 10 left. She assured me all of these were paid tickets and no upgrades had snuck in ahead of me. I'm skeptical, but whatever. We are about a week out and still have not cleared. There are still about 10 seats left, but I'm not feeling optimistic about this whole thing given the disappearance of all these business seats in the last few weeks.
That being said, an I class waitlist does not place you ahead of elites with waitlisted instrument upgrades. I is a lower inventory class than both PN and R, so it is entirely possible for an advance upgrade to clear in front of you.
My question goes to the codes listed. I'm confused about where I rank vis-a-vis the 1k and global services people. Are these 1k/global "upgrades" or are they paying? I guess the question is who/what type of ticketed passenger would theoretically be ahead of us? Would they have to be paid as well or do the automatic upgrade type of people sneak in ahead of us? My booking says United Economy (XN)--I requested. I am a lowly silver with a mileage plus credit card.
Given, however, the illogical inversion of priority at the gate and also the incredibly low success rate of people clearing at the gate via this method, I think a lot of it is pretty speculative.
Jun 29, 2017, 2:41 pm
#1814
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
My situation is similar to Chetstone. My family of four booked saver economy awards almost a year ago for a SFO to LON flight and used the "plan B" waitlist for business seats. The waitlist appears to show correctly on my ticket and the correct amount of miles was deducted $57k per ticket. The flight leaves next Friday.
About a month ago there were over 20 business seats still available according to a phone agent. Last week there were about 10 left. She assured me all of these were paid tickets and no upgrades had snuck in ahead of me. I'm skeptical, but whatever. We are about a week out and still have not cleared. There are still about 10 seats left, but I'm not feeling optimistic about this whole thing given the disappearance of all these business seats in the last few weeks.
I understand that if I still have not cleared 24 hours before departure I should call and try to get an agent to have the desk put me on the PR1 list if I can as a displaced business customer who has already paid in miles.
My question goes to the codes listed. I'm confused about where I rank vis-a-vis the 1k and global services people. Are these 1k/global "upgrades" or are they paying? I guess the question is who/what type of ticketed passenger would theoretically be ahead of us? Would they have to be paid as well or do the automatic upgrade type of people sneak in ahead of us? My booking says United Economy (XN)--I requested. I am a lowly silver with a mileage plus credit card.
About a month ago there were over 20 business seats still available according to a phone agent. Last week there were about 10 left. She assured me all of these were paid tickets and no upgrades had snuck in ahead of me. I'm skeptical, but whatever. We are about a week out and still have not cleared. There are still about 10 seats left, but I'm not feeling optimistic about this whole thing given the disappearance of all these business seats in the last few weeks.
I understand that if I still have not cleared 24 hours before departure I should call and try to get an agent to have the desk put me on the PR1 list if I can as a displaced business customer who has already paid in miles.
My question goes to the codes listed. I'm confused about where I rank vis-a-vis the 1k and global services people. Are these 1k/global "upgrades" or are they paying? I guess the question is who/what type of ticketed passenger would theoretically be ahead of us? Would they have to be paid as well or do the automatic upgrade type of people sneak in ahead of us? My booking says United Economy (XN)--I requested. I am a lowly silver with a mileage plus credit card.
I/IN may have never come available, but P/PN and R/RN may have, so GS/1K instruments may have cleared and your I/IN didn't
Once you check in, you should go on the list as a "Displaced passenger" meaning you paid for business, but sitting in coach. Essentially the only people above you are someone who was sitting in business and missed a connection and got shoved onto your flight.
I was looking forward to see how the process works, but all mine cleared ahead of time....the GA is a good friend and she would have let me look and filled me in on how it looks....
I planned on checking in and calling 1K desk to have them make sure I am in the right place and letting GA know to look for my kids. After that, not much you can do....
Jun 29, 2017, 2:59 pm
#1815
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: BA Gold, UA, Southwest
Posts: 119
Thank you both for the quick responses and explanations. Okay, that (P/PN or R/RN clearing) makes more sense than 10 revenue flyers all of the sudden jumping on board. Thanks also of the explanation of the codes on the visible list. I guess I'll keep crossing my fingers that the waitlist clears before departure or that I get an amenable agent willing to put me on the PR1 list 24 hours before. I'll follow up with what happens...