In short, I used Orbitz to purchase 3 V class economy tickets (me, wife, and 2 yr old son) PEK - SFO round trip on Air China for $2,636.30. Nov 30th - Dec 31st

I have since done a status match for Continental so that I am now Gold and wife is Silver. If we change these flights to United, this additional 10k+ miles, plus the additional flying we will do this winter would allow both of us to retain this status for at least 1 year.

My current knowledge is that Air China will charge 1,000 CNY / ticket, so about a total of $460 to cancel these tickets.

Is there anyway to reduce / avoid this cancellation fee?