Does changing upgrade payment method take you to bottom of waitlist?
 

If I change my payment method for a waitlisted upgrade from miles to an SWU, is that the same as canceling the upgrade and re-requesting it, so I get bumped to the bottom of the list? (I understand there is some ordering by time requested). If so, can an agent help me avoid that?

Yes, it will send you to the bottom of the list pre-departure as the list is FIFO ordered. So by changing the request you'd be cancelling and then re-listing. If anyone had requested an upgrade on PA after your original request, then they would then be ahead of you.
If you're talking about at the airport, then the only thing you'd be sacrificing is the "time" tie-breaker on the DM.
So bottom-line, don't switch it unless you absolutely need to or are very positive you'll get the upgrade in any case.

Conventional FT wisdom, as noted in existing threads about switching upgrades and the upgrade waitlist priority order, says that you will get bumped to the bottom of the list. I don't believe an agent can do anything about it and would be skeptical if the agent claimed to be able to.

Can I change after the upgrade has cleared?
 

I would like to change a CR1 for an SWU for a transcon flight. The upgrade has cleared. Would I lose the upgrade if I change the type of payment?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought SWU goes to PA and miles PB. PA clears first.

So, if OP swaps from miles to PA, he will actually move up the ladder?

Depends on the agent; a good one can make this happen for you.

If there are still upgrade spaces and your original booking class is still available then just cancel your uupgrade and re-request. Otherwise, you wont be able to do it unless you get an agent who knows what they are doing

Blissword----miles do go PB unless its a 1K requesting, in which case it goes PA.

Oh. Good to know ^ Thanks.

Or if it's a 1K/GS receiving. A 1K/GS receiving mileage sponsorship from 1P or below will still be on the priority waitlist, IME.

Can the same be said for swapping a mileage upgrade to SWU if it has already cleared?

What about a Premier receiving an SWU? Is that PA or PB?

PA

So all SWUs are PA regardless of status?

That's the consensus position.