Many thanks for your wonderful ideas!! Checked with medical insurance... they wont cover any lost travel ... let alone upgrades..

I did however post this issue on FB and a United rep picked it up right away and promised to help.. Lets see how that turns out..

I usually write a letter to the CEO after exhausting all possibilities.. not sure I want to do that here especially since he suffered from the same issue too..

Will keep you updated on what pans out... gr8 ideas though..