Welcome to FT,
aabigail
Originally Posted by
aabigail
....We may have to change the name on the ticket so someone else can go in their place. .....
Sorry for the bad news but it can not be done other than to cancel the unneeded ticket and purchasing a new ticket in the new name. Offering to pay more than the standard change fee will make not difference.
A second piece of bad news is the cancelled ticket credit can not directly be used to purchase the new ticket. With some effort, some it can be used but first you must buy a minimal ticket in the first traveler's name and get a separate credit for the price difference. The airlines are serious about non-refundable terms.
However there is some potential better news. It the medical issue can be documented by a medical profession, then UA will reduce the cancellation fee to $50 and potentially if a long-term issue provide a real refund vs a future ticket credit.