I've got to cancel a ticket. This is the first time I've had to cancel a ticket on United. I was scheduled (up until about an hour ago) to fly in a few days on UA on a government paid ticket from FRA-ORD (free stopover) then ORD-TPA-IAD-ORD. I've already cancelled this one at no cost to anyone.

For the stopover period I purchased my own UA ticket to fly from ORD-SAT to surprise my dad on his 79th birthday. I bought it as a discount fare given to members of the miltiary who are travelling on their own dime (not a government contract fare) through a travel agency and it's not likely that I'll be able to contact the travel agency today.

I just found out I won't be going to TPA. My ORD-SAT-ORD flights are scheduled for Dec 6-Dec 9. The fare rules do NOT have a no-fee cancellation clause. I'm only experienced with similar AA fares that DO include a free cancellation option. Does anyone have any experience being in this situation and getting UA to refund the entire fare, or am I out $150?

I am planning on calling them but I also happened to just move and don't have access to the internet at home (am at the base library) and all I have is a prepaid German cell phone which could run out of credits rather quickly even if I call the "local" UA number, so I'd appreciate all the info I could have prior to calling.

Thanks
-z