So I called. First time navigating new menu. Didn't accept my UA number, and after 7 minutes of telling the automated system my info, I finally asked for an agent. System told me they were too busy, and I should call back.

I called back. System accept my number. Was on hold. Then was disconnected.

Called a third time. Got through to an agent quickly. She told me, "Q fares are not eligible for free upgrades. Do you want to use a regional?" (I am flying lax-sfo).

I asked her to look into what was going on. After about 8 minutes, she told me she tricked the system and got me in.

Interesting that the system needed to be tricked for this. Reservation was made online yesterday, after the merger.

I comesmerate with another thread, in which a poster points put that the current system doesn't show pending upgrades.