I'm looking at booking UA1636 on 01/18, which is a direct LAX-DEN-BOS flight. The flight is a surprising one for United -- it's a direct flight *and* it's the same aircraft all the way through to Boston!

How does RPU logic apply here? If an upgrade clears for LAX-DEN, do I burn my RPU? Or will it only clear if R space exists LAX-DEN-BOS?

Splitting the reservation into two segments doesn't make sense here since it isn't an international long-haul, right?

Should I return my RPU if it doesn't clear, so as not to risk fouling up the process (e.g. never getting my RPU redeposited)?