IcarusWings

I'm booking a trip for me and a family member. I'm UA 1K they are not any status.
I booked separate tickets for 1K benefit sake for our journey as I'm traveling with them going over to Europe but not back on the same day.

So :

EWR to EDI
$508 x 2 = $1016
Alternative:
30k x 2 = 60,000

Right now we have it booked using miles.

Return
VIE to EWR
33k miles for one way
or
1359 one-way Class M Austrian Air and then use some miles for a *A upgrade?

What I've done which I'm not sure makes sense:
Bought the 1359 one way
That includes having UA book it as an Austrian Airlines flight Class M

However, when I go to the *A upgrade page and put in the details for the upgrade I get the message. Does this mean there are no upgrades? no waitlist? If that's the case I will cancel this flight and book it with miles.

We cannot process your request.

Upgrade not available


Should I cancel that Austrian ticket and just use the miles for Economy?