Originally Posted by
Often1
It's moot. OP took the miles. You can argue this different ways depending on your personal needs. Each has its own reasons.
What an unbelievably odd attempt to cut short the very discussion that the OP invited us to have.
Originally Posted by
FlytheTail
Sounds like you got an extremely generous agent to give you such an offer. When purchasing a higher (W+) fare class, it's at the risk of the buyer and there are no guarantees you will get the upgrade. Consider it a holiday gift and don't expect it to happen again.
Suggest re-reading the OP. UA screwed up here.