FlyerTalk Forums - Is there a problem with upgrade instruments and multi-segment itineraries?

Elsewhere I read:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLPhoenix (Post 18716117)

The current reservation system fails miserable when dealing with segment with more than a single leg. If one of the segments was upgraded using an instrument, the second will end up in a black hole. The only way to get the upgrade to clear is human intervention

Several recent examples:

Applied GPU to TPE->NRT->EWR. TPE->NRT clears at booking, NRT->EWR not cleared when RN becomes available a few days before departure. Had to call to get the upgrade to clear.
Upgraded CCU->BOM->EWR using GPU. CCU->BOM on jet not eligible for upgrade. DEL->EWR not cleared until T-24. Not showing on the upgrade list after check in at CCU. The ticketing agent at BOM manged to get me on the list and I was upgraded after boarding.
Upgraded SLC->DEN->EWR using RPU. SLC->DEN cleared at booking. never made it to the WL at T-24.Had to call to get on the WL. Nobody cleared.

I'm looking at two trips LHR-EWR-XXX with a GPU applied, where EWR-XXX has cleared and LHR-EWR is waitlisted. While we've been on the upgrade waitlist for LHR-EWR (admittedly a tough upgrade), I've watched C inventory on the flight dwindle from C9 / 30 open seats to C3 / 3 open seats.

I'm also looking at two trips LAX-IAD-LHR, with a GPU applied, where LAX-IAD has cleared and IAD-LHR is waitlisted. Again, C inventory has been dwindling.

I have been watching every 10 minutes or so for R inventory and the tatls have never been anything but R0. But … now I'm concerned that there's a report of upgrade difficulties involving multiple-segment trips.

Should I be worried? (Or thrilled that United's generous "give you the GPU back if the intl flight doesn't clear" policy, combined with a hypothetical "international segments don't clear" policy, would hypothetically mean free confirmable domestic upgrades on international trips?)