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]
Dec 13, 2017, 9:27 am
#2116
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1
I just want to thank everyone for these great tips! Booked a business saver (Swiss) on UA with the first segment from ATL - EWR on UA metal in X. Called and was asked to be added to waitlist for I. Was put on hold, and less than ten minutes later I'm on the waitlist! Amazing! Hope it clears 
Dec 13, 2017, 6:49 pm
#2117
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 1,270
If Waitlist Clears Is Change Fee Incurred
I booked an international business award with United domestic segment in coach. I have no status with UA. If I waitlist for first class on the United segment and it clears, will I be charged the $125 change fee per passenger to reissue the ticket with the first class segment?
Dec 13, 2017, 7:48 pm
#2118
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
International award ticket in first. FRA-EWR-MIA
FRA-EWR - Confirmed in First
EWR-MIA - Economy confirmed. After calling back (twice), now says "I class requested"
Is that the correct code for PR-1 status?
FRA-EWR - Confirmed in First
EWR-MIA - Economy confirmed. After calling back (twice), now says "I class requested"
Is that the correct code for PR-1 status?
Dec 13, 2017, 7:56 pm
#2119
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: 66,841
PR-1 is not what happens for waitlisted award. See explanation in wiki
Dec 13, 2017, 8:23 pm
#2120
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Of course, I read the wiki. I guess I was confused by the "The agent should give you “PR-1 status”" - I am guessing that refers to within 24 hours?
Thanks again!
Dec 13, 2017, 8:54 pm
#2121
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: 66,841
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" may not be the correct term, see the Wxx note proceeding this section
Dec 19, 2017, 5:22 am
#2122
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 39
Yesterday morning, my first Waitlist I segment cleared. I was able to select my first class seat. However, sometime during the day the following message appeared on my reservation "A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued."
No other changes have been made to the reservation other than I class clearing so it's not a schedule change.
Will this likely clear on it's own in a few days? I'm nervous to contact United because my return segment is still waitlisted and I don't want to have to go through the ordeal of getting it re-waitlisted if they reissue the ticket. Also a little nervous that I will get someone that doesn't know what they are doing and they will remove the upgrade and put me back in economy on the flight that cleared.
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
No other changes have been made to the reservation other than I class clearing so it's not a schedule change.
Will this likely clear on it's own in a few days? I'm nervous to contact United because my return segment is still waitlisted and I don't want to have to go through the ordeal of getting it re-waitlisted if they reissue the ticket. Also a little nervous that I will get someone that doesn't know what they are doing and they will remove the upgrade and put me back in economy on the flight that cleared.
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
Dec 20, 2017, 6:14 am
#2123
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
Does this waitlist work segment by segment? Asking because X/XN is available on a through-itinerary I’m interested in, DTW-ORD-FRA-STR. I/IN is not. However, if I look at individual segments, I/IN is available on ORD-FRA (but not DTW-ORD). The website is not even offering a mixed class fare.
Dec 20, 2017, 7:27 am
#2124
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
Programs: UA Gold, CO Plat, CO Million Miler
Posts: 2,617
Does this waitlist work segment by segment? Asking because X/XN is available on a through-itinerary I’m interested in, DTW-ORD-FRA-STR. I/IN is not. However, if I look at individual segments, I/IN is available on ORD-FRA (but not DTW-ORD). The website is not even offering a mixed class fare.
Dec 20, 2017, 9:38 am
#2125
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
it should work by segment. but in this case, I gather, you're not waitlisted at present...you're just looking at availability...if that's the case, you should probably call and book the itinerary as a Saver Business with the ORD-FRA in I/IN (essentially as a mixed class booking) and then waitlist the other segments.
Dec 20, 2017, 10:22 am
#2126
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
Does this waitlist work segment by segment? Asking because X/XN is available on a through-itinerary I’m interested in, DTW-ORD-FRA-STR. I/IN is not. However, if I look at individual segments, I/IN is available on ORD-FRA (but not DTW-ORD). The website is not even offering a mixed class fare.
(And I would be calling rather than debating on FT. The space is going to disappear.)
Dec 21, 2017, 3:01 pm
#2127
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
Yesterday morning, my first Waitlist I segment cleared. I was able to select my first class seat. However, sometime during the day the following message appeared on my reservation "A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued."
No other changes have been made to the reservation other than I class clearing so it's not a schedule change.
Will this likely clear on it's own in a few days? I'm nervous to contact United because my return segment is still waitlisted and I don't want to have to go through the ordeal of getting it re-waitlisted if they reissue the ticket. Also a little nervous that I will get someone that doesn't know what they are doing and they will remove the upgrade and put me back in economy on the flight that cleared.
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
No other changes have been made to the reservation other than I class clearing so it's not a schedule change.
Will this likely clear on it's own in a few days? I'm nervous to contact United because my return segment is still waitlisted and I don't want to have to go through the ordeal of getting it re-waitlisted if they reissue the ticket. Also a little nervous that I will get someone that doesn't know what they are doing and they will remove the upgrade and put me back in economy on the flight that cleared.
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
I would just ignore the message until you actually need to check in.
Does this waitlist work segment by segment? Asking because X/XN is available on a through-itinerary I’m interested in, DTW-ORD-FRA-STR. I/IN is not. However, if I look at individual segments, I/IN is available on ORD-FRA (but not DTW-ORD). The website is not even offering a mixed class fare.
Dec 26, 2017, 11:57 am
#2128
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: ORD
Programs: AA(xPLT now GLD), UA, DL, HH(GLD), MR(GLD), HY(DIS), and others...
Posts: 141
Award Travel - Mixed Cabin - remedies?
I have booked award travel from CTG to ORD returning from a vacation with my wife in Colombia in February. I am using a United MP Business Saver award on this itinerary CTG-PTY-MCO-ORD (with the first two legs on CM and the final leg on UA-- because 1) there are no direct flights, 2) other options were not available in BUSSAVER or required a much longer layover. Some of the ECON awards were more expensive than the BUSSAVER.
However, the MCO-ORD leg on UA metal was booked in Economy rather than I. ( I class was new to me, but I see that it is "Non-Elite and Low Elite SaverPass Business or 2-cabin First Award".) Looking at ExpertFlyer (non-member), I see there is only 1 seat booked in the business cabin at this time. Any thoughts on what might be done to get the Business seats that a am paying for?
Thanks,
However, the MCO-ORD leg on UA metal was booked in Economy rather than I. ( I class was new to me, but I see that it is "Non-Elite and Low Elite SaverPass Business or 2-cabin First Award".) Looking at ExpertFlyer (non-member), I see there is only 1 seat booked in the business cabin at this time. Any thoughts on what might be done to get the Business seats that a am paying for?
Thanks,
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 26, 2017 at 12:07 pm Reason: merged into master thread
Dec 26, 2017, 12:10 pm
#2129
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: 66,841
Note until UA opens up more I (not sure how common that is for MCO-ORD, a major leisure route), there is little else can be done. If the I does not clear in advance, you then will be placed on the Gate Upgrade Standby list.
Dec 27, 2017, 1:51 am
#2130
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: ORD
Programs: AA(xPLT now GLD), UA, DL, HH(GLD), MR(GLD), HY(DIS), and others...
Posts: 141
Thank you!
The most straightforward approach is to waitlist for the I inventory. You will need to call to do this -- the wiki has more, but it is a simple request If on a single PNR, you will need all seats to become available, so you may want to consider breaking / splitting the PNR up into smaller groups.
Note until UA opens up more I (not sure how common that is for MCO-ORD, a major leisure route), there is little else can be done. If the I does not clear in advance, you then will be placed on the Gate Upgrade Standby list.
Note until UA opens up more I (not sure how common that is for MCO-ORD, a major leisure route), there is little else can be done. If the I does not clear in advance, you then will be placed on the Gate Upgrade Standby list.
Otherwise, I was able to ask the first agent I spoke to - before I knew of the waitlist - to put us in economy plus rather than regular economy without the upcharge - so, at the minimum, we have a little more room on the plane.
Again, thanks for the guidance on the waitlist.
(So, what do you think the odds are for a non-elite to get the upgrade?)
Eric