Unfortunately that is not the case for most of the flights that I like to upgrade.

BNE-LAX Y->J goes from 70,000 to 72,000 points
SYD-LAX Y->J goes from 70,000 to 72,000 points
SYD-LAX J->F stays at 45,000
BNE-MEL Y->J goes from 9,000 to 12,000 points
BNE-PER Y->J goes from 14,000 to 16,000 points
SYD-LHR Y->J goes from 90,000 to 96,000 points
SYD-LHR J-F goes from 55,000 to 60,000 points

Some winners I may use is
BNE-SIN Y->J goes from 45,000 to 40,000 points
LHR-SIN Y->J goes form 70,000 to 56,000 points
LHR-SIN J->F goes from 45,000 to 35,000 points