I booked a round trip to start on Monday and come home Thursday evening. My upgrades for the out bound segments have cleared. Now, I need to change my return flight to Friday. Our company travel agent informed me that I would lose my upgrades on the out bound flight if I change the return flights. I decided to wait until after my flights on Monday to change the return.

I went to .bomb to see about changing the return legs and was quoted a price of $81 to make this change, but there is red text at the bottom of the screen warning that I could lose any upgrades or seat assignments on the outbound flights if I make the change....

What gives? Why can't I change the return flights without messing up the out bound flights?

and I wonder what would happen if I use online check in, print my first class boarding pass 24 hours in advance, and then change the return legs before the out bound flights? Would I still lose my upgrades?