Well this could be interesting when I check in at SYD later today

I called and got upgrade seat allocations without asking any other questions. However, I've not received my updated e-ticket, and the original e-ticket is still there with the original ticket date and the incorrect expiry credit card date (which I guess they manually overroad initially).

Looks like there was a ticket number in the reservation so united.com didn't have a problem offering the upgrades on-line.

My CC has not been charged for the quoted fare difference either.

So....either UA ticketing decided to let me get away without the increased fare ( ) or, this isn't ticketed yet. I guess I'll find out when I check in.