OK- one more interesting thing I noticed this afternoon after calling and getting manually upgraded. When I first tried to checkin (and was asked if I wanted to buy an upgrade) the FF field just had my US FF # in it. Now, after calling and getting things straightened out, I went to check in and my US FF# is now preceeded by "US-"
I wonder if that needs to be in there for our US status to be recognized? I distinctly recall that it wasnt there earlier today.
This is really a pain, I bought this ticket for the express reason that I would be able to upgrade, and although I'm glad I was able to, if it hadnt worked out I would have preferred UA E+ to HP coach.