US Airways Dividend Miles - PHL to IAD via SFO - US does not make sense

So here is the issue.

I have purchased a RT Ticket from SFO to IAD along with two $99 companion tix for my kids using the Barclays Charge Certificate. My SO is traveling the same route with my son using a combination of vouchers and cash.

Now I had a last minute trip for work from SFO to PHL. I am trying to not have to travel back to SFO to only turn around and travel to IAD with my kids, but USAir will not allow me to change my initial reservation as it includes my companion certs.

I get it from a process issue but it does not make sense. USAir gets the money (I am not looking for any refunds), the kids would not be unaccompanied (as they would travel with my SO), and US gets an extra seat to sell.

Any ideas how to make this happen?

You're getting a major discount with that companion cert. So, expect major restrictions.

You're getting a major discount with that companion cert. So, expect major restrictions.

Fair enough. But it still doesn't make rational sense. I am not asking them to carry unaccompanied minor, I am not asking them to give up revenue....

Anyway, I leave PHL tonight and arrive at SFO around midnight, and tomorrow morning will head back to IAD.

Just write it off as a "great" Mileage Run.

Just write it off as a "great" Mileage Run.

+1 !

I know it doesn't seem rational in the short term, but they're looking at the long-term behavior of their customers.

If their restricted tickets aren't actually restricted, then no one will book the flexible tickets. Same reason they restrict changing to an earlier flight (move up), even if that flight isn't going out full.

Just write it off as a "great" Mileage Run.

When I read this title, I thought the OP had found a PHL-IAD fare which permitted routing via SFO. That could have been a real MR find.