I requested upgrade for RDU-ORD-HNL today, using miles.
I boarded the first class RDU-ORD, and at the gate at O'hare,
I was number 1 on the upgrade waitlist, out of 19 people,
and it said there was one seat left.

However, soon the Gate agent said ORD-HNL first class checked in full
and everyone had to board according to my original boarding pass.
when the boarding started, I waited until 5 minutes before the gate
closed, I asked again if actually every first class passenger boarded,
and he just kept saying the first class was full.

On the way to my seat I saw one first class seat was still empty
(with two seats reserved for crew rest), but I assumed the passenger
was running to the gate and I went to my original seat.

But then, the purser called for someone who was number 3 on waitlist,
then gave away that seat to him!!!! I walked up to the purser and said
I was number one on the waitlist and why did he get the seat, and he said
the GA gave the seat to the guy who was 3rd on the waitlist!!!!

I demanded he should follow the book, but he said it was GA who chose
who will get an upgrade and since the door was closed I had to sit on coach.

So I was stuck in economy plus for 9 hours
I even brought my laptop with empower adapter, to no avail.

When I landed at HNL, I called mileage plus to talk to customer representative
and demanded my 15,000 miles back that I ended up using only for RDU-ORD
segment, because I did not get the upgrade because the gate agent did not follow the book.
They said call back on Monday, I had to talk to Customer relations.

So this is what I get for being loyal to united, flying 75,000 miles this year only on United?
As I get closer to being 1K, I am having worse experience on United... this is not good.