Well, I got my upgrade! I'm planning on making at least Premier Gold by the end of the year, so I won't have to play this game so often anymore.

Route: BOS-IAD
Fare Bucket: G
Price Offered: $59
PCU/UFC?: UFC
Where it was offered/accepted: OLCI

Accept it?: Yes. Seemed like an OK price for a better seat; even moreso since my connecting flight is on a CRJ-200.
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After checking in, I was curious to see whether I still had the row to myself on the CRJ-200. I saw that I now had a seatmate in 7D, but Row 8 (exit row) was wide open (only 8C was occupied). After switching to that row and reprinting the boarding pass for that flight, I saw that the new boarding pass said PREMIER ACCESS on it. Did that come with upgrade on the first flight, or is it United's IT being wonky again?

Does that mean I get pre-boarding on the CRJ-200?