23 available J seats on a 767 vs. 35 on an A330. As a SP, your chances are greatly improved on a Tuesday in January. But, it's also following a holiday period and people maybe returning home, or work. ITN will likely show J7 C7 until the last day and suddenly go to near nothing. If I was Silver, I'd use the miles.

The 30K says it's for REQUESTS made after 1/1/03. My interpretation is that if you request the upgrade award now for the trip, you'd pay 20K each way. But, that's just my interpretation.

Also, it won't hurt to ask at check-in on your way home if you can upgrade(assuming you have the SWU on you). If there are seats, the agent may still take your SWU and give it to you - even though you're on a V fare.