The official language (and real-world practice) has been pretty contradictory and confusing (at least to me). Since we are now into the new year (did anything about this really change as of 01/01/2022?), I was hoping someone could confirm/clarify the actual policy (and what to expect in the real world)...

I'm looking at an award trip to Europe later this year, booked with UA miles, flown on a mix of UA and partner metal.
Outbound flights would originate in USA and be booked as a multi-city trip (A to B, stopover, B to C).
Return flights would originate outside USA and be booked as a one-way (C to A).
So two separate PNRs.

Given worldwide uncertainties, we may or may not go, so looking for no-risk policy for free cancellation.

As I have read United's policies, it appears that there is no fee to cancel an award trip and redeposit the miles, as long as that's done 30+ days in advance (I know, there's a trick/loophole for that), but only as long as the itinerary originates in the USA. It seems that the "must originate in the USA" rule has been in place but (I think) that has simply not been enforced (that is, if you have an award itinerary that does not originate in USA, people have been able to cancel and get miles redeposited with no fees...although this may be more more of an oversight or a possibly-temporary charitable gesture rather than actual policy, so possibly less reliable). Have I got that right?

Now that we've passed through the magical date of 01/01/2022, is this still the policy and/or actual practice (no fees to cancel+redeposit miles, even for award trips that do NOT originate in USA)? Is that something one can expect (maybe even rely on) for travel booked in January 2022 and ticketed for later in the year?

Thanks for your insights.