Originally Posted by
Ghoulish
Unless I'm mistaken, isn't he entitled to a full refund of the unused portion under US DOT regs for a short notice cancellation and reasonable additional expenses under EU 261?
Yes and Yes (if the reschedule by UA was sufficient delayed) but not an alternative ticket.
And as mentioned earlier the $1,000 credit may have been EU 261 compensation and the comment about early refund could indicate something related to the fare refund
But if the OP wants something toward the independently purchased $6,500, there will be no joy for that.
Just too many missing details to quite figure out want is happening and what the OP really wants.