Originally Posted by
BurBunny
Sorry if I mis-typed. I didn't mean to infer they are going to purchase me an "upgrade", but that my ticket would be upgraded (refared) to a C on the return, thus retaining the initial value toward the return portion. Not positive that's what they're doing, or if they can, but it's my suspicion, as they wouldn't be able to access the residual fare amount any other way, and that would be a very financially poor way of handling the situation.
Upgrade != Re-fare.
Re-fare means new ticket. Means the SWU is lost, and sent back to M+ for re-processing to the owner's account.
As for financially poor, give the timing this will likely book into full fare business class, and it won't be cheap. If you can get another SWU, your odds of upgrading to F are extremely high; at worst it just means one less airline employee in F.