In 9 years of heavy UA flying I've never had a trip in vain situation... Until tonight. Traveling for a quick weekend event and UA got me to my first connection point but a mechanical problem means that I can't make it to my destination today as planned and I need to be back home within about 36 hours.

So I decided to scrub the whole thing at my connection point. There are no more return flights tonight so UA gave me the first flight out in the morning (and maintained the upgrade thankfully). I asked the GA to make a note on the PNR that a mechanical delay prevented me from reaching my destination. They gave me a new BP and a voucher for a hotel and that was that. The GA stated that they don't really handle the refund issue at the gate and that I'd need to contact UA to take care of that.

So now what?

Do I wait and see if the miles for the flights flown post?

Do I call UA soon and work out the refund?

Will the refund be for the entire trip or just for the unflown portion (It would be nice to get miles for the flights flown but I've read on FT that if you refund the entire trip you get no RDMs or PQMs)

What about PQD? (OK, I know that this question, at this time, is a bit like a magic eight ball... Good luck getting a solid answer)

Other options?