I have an UA MileagePlus redemption for 2 booked in JN class 200K miles each BWI>LAX>SYD. UAL removed the BWI>LAX segment from their schedule and rebooked me on BWI>DEN>LAX>SYD with a departure 1:45 earlier.
I don't want this new schedule as I am leery of checked bags on the double connection on such a big / long trip where I quickly leave sydney on a ship.

I live close enough where IAD is a perfectly fine option. Most airlines consider BWI / IAD to be coterminous when it comes to schedule changes and usually they can bust thru fare issues etc.

Both online and thru agent who put me on hold for 1/2 hr trying to get this done thru supervisor, say that all my options whether departing IAD or BWI will be a double connection, and that keeping a single connection as my original itinerary had will require an additional 100K miles (ie 300K total redemption pp) to book them. The 300K PP or 200K PP are both JN class. Its just their variable pricing.

My question is, is this a HUCA situation where I have a good chance of getting this done (other agent said simply the supervisors hands were tied and they could not rebook me with a single connection without repricing the award)?
And is this because the schedule change was <2hr even though there is an additional connecting flight? Is that the crux of the issue?