UPDATE:

Decided to buy up to V and use my own e-SWUs to upgrade (assuming they show up). If they're not posted in time I'll call Customer Relations as PremEx suggested.

The deciding factor was the Triple Miles promotion. I will have already qualified before this LHR flight so if anything it's worth it for the extra bonus miles to pay up to V.

Please note though, that the Profile says that Agents are *NOT* to book space in the NC class until the e-SWUs are posted "sometime in January 2004." The agent at OAK showed me the profile so I'm not making this up. Of course, this is after she did the add collect for $200. However, I called Reservations on the spot and they instantly upgraded me to NC.

Yey for 15A on the 744