Since I'm the OP, I thought I'd circle back to report on my experience.

Having just flown UA-codeshare NH-operated (actually NQ-operated - Air Japan) NH 911 (NRT-HKG), I'm happy to report that my online mileage summary shows "NH 911 Y Class" even though I bought a V-fare UA ticket (through a consolidator, no less!) I received 1,807 RDM for the flight, no elite bonus, no fare bonus. So, if UAFlyer was being lucky for his experience, I guess I was just as lucky.