I see a slightly different version of this question on an upcoming long-haul international flight. I had purchased V class economy and put in for an upgrade with miles. Online, both legs were showing upgrade requested (to Business). Watching my reservation, and watching Business seat availability shrink, one day they dropped the upgrade price, and I bought it for the outbound overnight flight, which I think is the critical one not to be in economy on. That one now shows I am in Business with a Z, and "R class requested", while the return leg still shows me on a V with "Upgrade Requested" as before. I had assumed that the this meant that when I bought into Business, they just moved my upgrade with miles on the outbound flight to put me on the upgrade list for First. I figured I would wait till the flight and see. I'm fine with using the miles and fee to go up to First just as a treat, but I certainly don't mind if I stay in Business and get the miles and fee returned, either.