Originally Posted by
whistler814
Years ago when I had to modify HKG-NRT-IAD which was on NH and UA the check in agent at HKG couldn't get it to reissue. Got close to check in close so the manager told the agent to FIM it, which I think is a way to show you have a ticket but unfinalized. Apologies if I'm getting the terminology wrong. Not sure if they still do it, but maybe bring it up if the ticket is stubborn.
A FIM would come into play when being re-accommodated with a different airline. It wouldn't be necessary for travel on a UA flight using a UA ticket. It's basically a replacement ticket, and it would only be needed when an e-ticket wouldn't transfer properly.
UA can absolutely generate a boarding pass. They can
probably mark both the NRT-LAX and LAX-DEN coupons as being used (meaning they get paid for the whole trip). It's just a question of whether or not they will.