Join Date: May 2008
Location: IAD or elsewhere
Programs: UA 1K, LH M&M, AA EXP, Marriott Plat, Avis NotLast, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 655
As much as I sympathize with the OP, to UA whY is still whY and UA would claim no refund was due. In fact, if there were only two seats remaining you likely would have been booked into full Y, even if sitting in Economy minus.
The only upside then would be the mileage bonuses.