Originally Posted by
Baze
Not true. Last fall I was flying PEK-SFO on a W fare, used miles and cash to request an upgrade. Day before flight it still had not cleared and I decided I wanted the extra PQM's, PQD's and PQS's so I bought up to a Z fare. Lo and behold the next morning, day of flight, suddenly the upgrade cleared even though I was already in the J cabin. And no, it was not an upgrade to GF, I looked closely. It took a call to get my miles and money back.
Did you have to pay $200 for the mile redeposit fee? If not, I suppose that's an avenue I could take. Not cancel the mile+$ upgrade request, buy up, and then call to get back my miles+$ after the flight.