Air New Zealand Air Points - Unused Comp Gold Upgrade - Is it Returned?

Mr Fleet7 and I are booked on NZ862/3 (Airbus A320) Auckland - Samoa rtrn in September. We requested upgrades to business class using a combination of airpoints and a complimentary Gold upgrade that he had left.

I've just checked the loadings and it seems that all six seats are booked for the flight up and there are only three seats remaining at this stage for the return flight.

My question is ... When we booked, Mr Fleet7 was Gold status but he has since been demoted to Silver. So if we are unsuccessful with the upgrades would he get the Gold complimentary upgrade back - or does it just disappear into the ether?

Who would have thought business class to Samoa would be full :(- thought it was a sure bet for upgrades! Will just have to drink my champagne in the lounge before hand!

There are 8 business class seats on NZ A320, although 1 or 2 can be taken up by a pilot or engineer.

Unused complimentary upgrades do get returned, but in this case should immediately expire as it is a new membership year. It's possible the system may return the upgrade without expiring it, but I wouldn't count on that happening.

BTW school holidays are late September.