Originally Posted by
cxfan1960
In my experience, that is not the case. Unless OP wants reticketing (with re-ticketing penalty and possible loss of outbound upgrade), OP will be charged two one-way and will then receive a refund upon end of trip.
OP needs to ticket the first upgrade (before expiration) with the second (when it clears) to avoid any penalty.
OP's problem is (s)he doesn't have enough miles for two one way upgrade... So it must be done before the first leg by ticketing a round trip upgrade as once the first leg is flown OP won't have enough miles to fly second leg upgrade at all...
If I remember correctly you can ticket a one way upgrade with waitlist and once cleared before departure you can re-issue it as a round trip upgrade (with handling charge of course)...