Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Maybe I'm misunderstanding the grand plan, but it doesn't make sense to me. One way award tickets on DL are not a good idea, as they price the same as RTs. AFAIK it is not permitted to use father's SWU for someone else who will not be traveling in the same cabin (or on the same PNR) as the father. If the son has an award ticket, you cannot upgrade it with a SWU.
He is upgrading via SWU the ticket that is in his own name. His son will be in Y on the same PNR as the father, but only the father will upgrade. But upon boarding, they will switch seats, so the son will be in J with the wife while the father flies in Y.