Not sure if the refund question was answered... but I was able to refund my CMB-DXB-LHR (EK F) - SFO (BA F on AA codeshare) . It took about three weeks. No penalties.

I booked a new ticket on another date.

Quite nice that I can get the limo from LHR to my digs (there is the overnight in LHR). I'd love to know if you can change that connecting flight to insert some days in London? When first booking that cheap fare, increasing the stopover to more than one night results in a MUCH higher fare.

Last tip: the CMB-DXB portion is only on the 777-ER (F Suites) on certain days. On other days it's "old F" or 2 class only. Better check that...