Another follow-up for researchers.

On-line, I could only change seats one at a time, and MsCP had a charge. I had to call - the agent first told me he couldn't move her to E+ without a fee because they were split, but then said "let me try this other internal system" and got it done.

I asked whether we would both be on the upgrade list and the response was "I think you may need to do that at the airpor....no wait, I can see you both on it now. You've both been added"

We were not. I didn't bother as both flights were checked in full or -1 and I was already 4 or lower.

I must say that this whole "ruin the rest of your trip's reservations just to get a shot at an upgrade" is the dumbest scheme I've seen in a while.

It was interesting to look at the upgrade status for our flight down and see Booked with a number and "(+1 blocked)" after it. Apparently Cedric the Entertainer, who sat in the row in front of me, blocked the seat next to him - paid for, I assume.