Travel plans can change like that, and understanding an airline’s cancellation policy can make all the difference in keeping your trip as stress-free as possible. If you’re traveling with United Airlines, familiarize yourself with its cancellation policies to avoid unwanted fees and make informed decisions about your reservation.
In this guide, we cover the United Airlines cancellation policy and all the details around it — including how and when you can cancel and the refunds and credits you might get.
1. 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation
United Airlines provides 24-hour risk-free cancellation on all ticket types. This means:
You can cancel a flight that you booked within 24 hours with no cancellation fee.
To qualify, the booking needed to be made 7 or fewer days in advance.
Valid on any fare type, including non-refundable fares.
You’re able to cancel through the United website or app online and receive a full refund to your original payment method.
2. United Airlines Non-Refundable Tickets
If you opt to cancel a non-refundable ticket after that 24-hour period, your money is not going to be returned to you. In fact, United lets you cancel and get a flight credit (after a cancellation fee, if any), which you can apply to a future trip.
Key Points:
No change or cancellation fees or most Economy, Economy Plus and premium cabin tickets within the continental U.S., and for many international bookings.
Basic Economy tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable, other than within 24 hours of booking, or in the event of a special situation such as a flight interruption.
Not all tickets may qualify for a future flight credit, and if so, your credit will either be recommended as an Electronic Travel Certificate (ETC) or Future Flight Credit (FFC), which depends on the situation.
3. Refundable Tickets
If you bought a refundable ticket, you will be able to cancel your flight anytime before departure and receive a full refund back to your original payment method.
Refundable fares typically cost more but provide additional flexibility for travelers with unpredictable schedules or businesses.
You can apply for your refund online or by calling United’s customer service. Refunds are usually processed within 7–10 business days.
4. Award Ticket Cancellations (MileagePlus)
United also makes it fairly easy to cancel an award ticket booked with MileagePlus miles:
No cancellation fee on award tickets canceled over 30 days before departure.
Depending on your MileagePlus status, if canceled in 30 days, you will be charged a fee.
Miles are returned to your account, and any taxes or fees paid are refunded.
You can change or cancel award tickets in your MileagePlus account online.
5. Same-Day Cancellations or Changes
If you are looking to change or cancel your trip on the day you are supposed to fly, United has a same-day flight changing option:
Available only between 24 hours of your original flight’s departure.
There’s a fee (typically $75 for most passengers), which is waived for MileagePlus Premier members.
Same-day change not allowed for Basic Economy fares.
The same-day change is not a cancellation — you’re changing to a different flight that departs on the same date of travel.
6. United Airlines Flight Credits
The credit is issued by United when you cancel a flight (and don’t qualify for a refund) outside of the 24-hour period.
There are two main types:
Future Flight Credit (FFC)
Given for non-refundable tickets that were canceled
Only valid for 12 months from date of issue.
To be used by the original traveler only.
Electronic Travel Certificate (ETC)
Issued in limited refund situations or for compensating
Within two years from the date of issue.
Occasionally transferable to a different person
7. Flight Cancellations by United Airlines
If United Airlines cancels your flight, you have the right to choose one of the following:
A complete refund to the original payment card.
A change of booking on the following available flight without an extra charge.
A travel credit to use in the future, if you’d like.
United typically reaches out to you by email or text if a flight has been canceled. You can also view your rebooking or refund options through their website or app.
8. Canceling Due to Illness or Emergency
United may bend its normal cancellation rules if you need to cancel for a medical emergency, serious illness or (death in the family). You will be asked to submit supporting documents, including:
A note or statement from your doctor or the hospital
Death certificate or obituary
Call United’s customer service directly to ask for a waiver or refund in these cases.
9. How to Cancel a United Airlines Flight
There are three ways to cancel your booking:
Online:
Click on “My Trips”
Enter your confirmation number and last name
Select your flight and follow the cancellation prompts
Mobile App:
Open the United Airlines app
Go to “My Trips” and manage your booking
10. Tips to Save on Cancellations
Book refundable fares if your travel plans are likely to change.
Cancel early to avoid last-minute penalties or forfeited value.
Comments