United Airlines Cancellation Policy

United Airlines’ cancellation policy allows flexibility depending on the ticket type, booking time, and fare rules. Here’s a concise overview based on the latest available information:

24-Hour Flexible Booking Policy: You can cancel any United Airlines ticket, including Basic Economy, within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without fees, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure. This applies to tickets booked directly with United, and refunds are issued to the original payment method within 7–10 business days. Tickets booked with e-certificates or United Gift Certificates are not eligible for cash refunds but may be reissued as electronic travel certificates.

Cancellations After 24 Hours:

• Basic Economy: Non-refundable and non-changeable after the 24-hour window. No cash refunds or travel credits are available if canceled, except under specific circumstances (e.g., airline-initiated cancellations).
• Standard Economy, Economy Plus, and Premium Cabin: Non-refundable tickets can be canceled for a future flight credit (minus any applicable fees), valid for travel within one year (or six months for Basic Economy credits). Refundable tickets can be canceled anytime before departure for a full refund to the original payment method, processed within 7 days for credit cards or up to 20 days for other payment methods. Cancellation fees, previously up to $200, have been eliminated for most fare types, but fare differences may apply for rebooking.
• Award Tickets: MileagePlus award tickets can be canceled without a fee, with miles redeposited to your account. No-show cancellations incur a $125 redeposit fee.

Airline-Initiated Cancellations: If United cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund to the original payment method or a rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost. For flights to/from/within the EU/UK, you may claim compensation up to €600 under EU/UK Regulation EC 261 if the cancellation is within 14 days of departure and not due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather). You may also be eligible for refunds of optional service fees (e.g., baggage, seat upgrades) if the service wasn’t provided due to cancellation.

Special Circumstances: If a close relative passes away, United may waive cancellation fees or provide refunds for non-refundable tickets, subject to verification. Contact customer service for assistance.

How to Cancel:

• By Phone: Call +1-877-240-6770 for cancellations or refund requests.
• At the Airport: Visit a United service desk or kiosk.
• For third-party bookings (e.g., Alternative Airlines), cancellations must be processed through the booking agent within their operating hours to meet the 24-hour refund window.

Refund Process: Refunds for eligible tickets are processed within 7–10 business days for credit cards or up to 20 days for other methods. Travel credits for non-refundable tickets are issued instantly and tied to your MileagePlus account. Track refund status via “My Trips.”

Additional Notes:

• FareLock fees (for holding reservations) are non-refundable.
• Cancellations for international flights must be made at least 3 hours before departure; domestic flights require 2 hours.
• Travel insurance or a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy can cover cancellations outside the 24-hour window for emergencies, depending on the policy terms.
• For group tickets, the 24-hour policy may not apply, and specific fare rules govern cancellations.