jsload: Thank you! We'll probably just "re-fare" to business, because most of the return flights involve 2 stops and they are mostly Austrian or Swiss airlines. The only exception for decently priced 1 stop return flights are Lufthansa and UA through MUC, but they are early morning flights (plus the UA flight from MUC is a 767 and does not have PE).
findark: interesting...will have to talk to United on changing the ticket. But should be no problem on the cost side. corporate travel will know about our plan, and know that we owe the difference (plus the difference will be charged to a personal card), but hopefully UA will have no issue changing the ticket.