Originally Posted by
cagcag
Can UA "push" partner airlines to "free up" space?
They can ask; I suspect the answer will be 'no'.
Originally Posted by
cagcag
Lastly, can UA in order to protect the itinerary, allow a non-*A airline to be included in the revised itinerary?
This would ideally using Emirates on a leg of the itinerary.
There is a better chance of my being named President tomorrow than there is of United putting you on an Emirates flight. UA has cancelled its interline agreements with all of the ME3; they couldn't issue that ticket even if they wanted to, and they'd have to pay cash at the current market rate.
UA can open space on its own flights. If there are no available awards on partner flights, you can ask them to work through the *A liaison, but we rarely hear positive news coming back. Your expectation should be that UA will refund the ticket.