A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
So AFAIK they now have a list of "upgrades". But I don't think it differentiates based on type of upgrade, or when the upgrade occurred. So even if she hadn't gone front to back, I don't think it would have helped.
If it was J1 24 hours out, and there were people waitlisted for J, they "would have" catered it full. Which suggests this was just a catering mishap.
You mentioned it was J5 when you submitted your bid, so there were more than 7 people who were confirmed ahead of you, and we have no idea how many of the other 4 people may have bought a ticket. Unfortunately, in that situation, I just don't think you'd "deserve" one of the seven snacks.
But yeah, I'd write in. I'm sure you'll get somewhere between $50-$200 depending on how the agent feels and how much you actually paid for the upgrade.