Was warned that a US-originating international ticket to the UK (had to do by phone, UAM on a different PNR) would not have any change fees, but any residual credit would be lost were we to refare to something cheaper.

I thought there was another thread on this in the past week, but can't find it.

Has United really gone back on this? Are the days of refaring closer in over? Is there a better workaround (cancel for FFC/change to ETC/rebook again) available?