Well, miracles do happen. I called United and was somehow routed to their executive desk. When I started to explain that I had to move my outbound flight back by 4 1/2 hours because of the fare difference that resulted from my changing the return from SNA to LAX last week, the agent cut me off and asked me what flight I wanted. I told him I would love to get our original departure time back. He made it happen in less than a minute and didn't charge me any fare difference or change fees.

I've been off the phone for half an hour and I am still stunned.

Thank you United!!!