I don’t believe it is moved to your account. It is pulled from the sponsor’s account and applied to a PNR.
I have switched upgrade types - from a BXP to SWU and VV. So they can move types. I would try asking if they would change where the SWU is coming from. If not, just sponsor a SWU, when received, for one of their trips.
Originally Posted by
RogerD408
Technically, I believe once the SWU has been gifted, it is moved to your account. I also believe the gifting process must be tied to a booked flight. I have experienced a major foul up by AA where a SWU was not processed properly and they tried taking one from my account years later once I hit EXP. It took several calls and an inventive EXP agent to put things right.
I would suggest to inform your friend you wish to pay-back the gesture and offer to apply one of your SWUs to a future flight for them.