Now a moot issue since the shutdown is over BUT when I called to cancel a planned EWR-PDX trip early this week, I asked the 1K agent about any possible waiver of the change fee since my trip was being cancelled because the federal employees I was scheduled to meet were on furlough and unavailable. The agent told me that United was making some exceptions, and would require a letter and some documentation. I was transferred to the executive services desk and enjoyed a conversation with a truly nice agent. I explained the situation and without any further effort on my part, she waived the $200 change fee and arranged for the ticket purchase price to be credited to my account. Ten minutes, tops, to save the $200 fee. And leave me feeling very, very well treated.