How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet (2024)

If you’re considering flying with United Airlines anytime soon or already have something booked, it’s a good idea to learn the cancellation and refund rules. This way, if something comes up and your travel plans change, you’ll know how to cancel your flight.

Here’s what to know about canceling a United Airlines flight — whether you purchased the ticket outright or redeemed MileagePlus miles to book your ticket.

Which tickets can be canceled and when?

Most United tickets are technically nonrefundable, but you may have more options than meet the eye. Here is the United flight cancellation policy.

Canceling within 24 hours of booking

  • Most ticket types, including basic economy, are eligible for a full refund within 24 hours of booking so long as you booked your trip at least a week before departure and booked directly with United. This rule is due to the airline’s 24-hour flexible booking policy.

  • Your refund will be credited as cash back to your original payment unless you booked with a United Gift Certificate. If this is the case, the refund will be credited in the form of an electronic travel certificate.

  • Tickets booked using e-certificates aren't eligible.

  • If you paid a FareLock fee to hold a reservation, you can’t get that fee refunded.

Canceling more than 24 hours after booking

More than 24 hours after booking, cancellation rules vary depending on the ticket type purchased.

  • Basic economy: No cancellations are allowed beyond 24 hours from booking.

  • Nonrefundable tickets: Most United tickets are nonrefundable, which means you're not going to get cash back. However, you may be eligible to apply the value of your ticket toward the price of a new ticket with its travel credits.

  • Refundable tickets: If the ticket purchased is refundable, you can cancel and get a refund in cash back to your original form of payment before the flight departs. Depending on the fare type (there are over 20 different kinds), you may need to pay a cancellation fee.

  • Award tickets: If you redeemed MileagePlus miles for your flight and want to cancel, you’ll be given the option to redeposit the miles or use the miles for another trip in the future. There’s no redeposit fee unless you are a no show. In this instance, you will be charged a flat fee of $125 to redeposit your award miles, regardless of status level.

» Learn more: Valuable benefits of United Airlines credit cards

Is it better to cancel a flight or change it?

If you know you’ll want to rebook your United flight and you already know the dates, changing your flight instead of canceling outright could save you money. Most United flights paid for with cash are no longer subject to change fees.

Basic economy flights and international flights originating outside the U.S. ticketed after the cutoff date may incur change fees.

How to cancel your United flight

Wondering how to cancel a United flight? There are two ways.

  1. Call 800-864-8331 to request a cancellation.

  2. Log in to your United Airlines account and select "My trips." Verify your trip details, then select "Manage." From there, you'll see "Cancel options" to the far right.

How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet (1)

Then, you'll see a confirmation screen, including details to how the value of your ticket can be accessed for future flights.

How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet (2)

As expected, this main cabin economy fare will turn into a United flight credit that is applicable towards flights before its expiration date.

3. You can click "Cancel trip" to complete the process.

Canceling your flight online is likely the quickest option, especially if call wait times are long.

Can I cancel a United flight booked with miles?

If you paid for your ticket with United MileagePlus miles, you can cancel your flight online or by calling customer service. As of Jan. 1, 2023, you can cancel an award ticket at any time before departure and have the miles redeposited without paying a fee.

The only circ*mstance when this doesn't apply is if you are a no show for your award flight. In this case, you have the option to redeposit your miles for a $125 fee.

» Learn more: What you need to know about United Airlines baggage and other fees

United Airlines refund for your canceled trip

If you’ve canceled your United flight and think you're entitled to a cash refund, follow this process to get reimbursed.

  • Fill out a refund form, and United will contact you to let you know if you qualify for a ticket refund.

  • You can also use the refund form page to check the status of your refund.

The type of refund you will be offered will depend on the type of ticket you purchased and the reason for canceling. In some cases, you may get a refund straight to your original form of payment, or you may be eligible for a flight credit.

FREQUENT UNITED FLYER?

United credit cards earn bonus miles not only on purchases with the airline, but also on common everyday expenses. They also offer day-of-travel benefits and other perks that can more than make up for the annual fee. Options:

United Gateway℠ Card

NerdWallet Rating

Apply now

on Chase's website

United℠ Explorer Card

NerdWallet Rating

Apply now

on Chase's website

United Quest℠ Card

NerdWallet Rating

Apply now

on Chase's website

United Club℠ Infinite Card

NerdWallet Rating

Apply now

on Chase's website

Annual fee

$0.

$0 intro for the first year, then $95.

$250.

$525.

Earning rates

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

Other benefits

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).

• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• Access to United Club airport lounges.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

• Priority boarding.

• No foreign transaction fees.

Bonus offer

Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Still not sure?

Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review

How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet (7)

How to use a United future flight credit to rebook

If you canceled a United Airlines flight, you might have a future flight credit to use. Here’s what you’ll need to do to use the credits to rebook.

Future flight credits have a “travel by” date as their expiration; usually, this is 12 months after the date of issue. However, future flight credits issued on or before Dec. 31, 2022, have had their “travel by” date extended to Dec. 31, 2023.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

Other options for getting your money back

If United Airlines won’t help you, travel insurance might. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your airfare.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for a flight on that card.

Sometimes, though, not even trip insurance will guarantee a refund. Unless you’ve purchased a Cancel For Any Reason policy, which is usually more expensive, you’re only entitled to a refund if you cancel for a covered reason.

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

Final thoughts on how to cancel your United flight

In most cases, you can cancel a United flight. Just call United Airlines customer service or complete the task online. Whether you’re charged fees or eligible for a full refund or flight credits depends on the type of ticket purchased. Knowing United’s cancellation rules will help you book with confidence and handle any unforeseen change of plans.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

  • Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  • No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

  • Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

How to Cancel a United Flight - NerdWallet? ›

You'll need to input your information, including your flight details and the reason you're requesting a refund. Once you've submitted the paperwork, United will then take up to 14 business days to process your claim. After it's approved, you can expect a refund credited to a credit card within seven business days.

How to get 100 percent refund on flight cancellation? ›

If the booking was made between 10 and 26 hours, it should be cancelled 8 hours prior to the flight departure time to avail your flight ticket cancellation refund. If the booking was made between 26 hours and 91 days, it should be cancelled 24 hours prior to the flight departure time.

How do I contact United to cancel a flight? ›

There are two ways. Call 800-864-8331 to request a cancellation. Log in to your United Airlines account and select "My trips." Verify your trip details, then select "Manage." From there, you'll see "Cancel options" to the far right.

Is there a penalty to cancel a United flight? ›

Within 24 hours of making your reservation, you can cancel your flight without incurring any fees. Cancellations can be done online or by calling their assistance at 1*866*672-8652(𝕷𝖎𝖛𝖊-𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖔𝖓) or 1*866*672-8652(𝕷𝖎𝖛𝖊-𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖔𝖓) for your convenience.

Can I cancel a flight and get a refund? ›

Most airlines have a 24-hour grace period, during which you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund ✈️1-855-526-0344 Or Toll-free (𝔍𝔢𝔱-𝔒𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔦𝔞𝔩) ✈️1-855-526-0344[No-Busy-Air]Quick-Connect. regardless of the ticket type. Beyond the 24-hour grace period, the refund policies can vary greatly.

How do I get a full refund on a ticket cancellation? ›

If the train is marked as "CANCELLED" in Passenger Reservation System (PRS) due to breaches, floods, accidents etc., full refund is permissible in case the ticket is cancelled within three days of the scheduled departure of the train. In case of e-tickets, such cancellation can be done by the customer through Internet.

How do I get my flight cancellation fee waived? ›

Yes, it is possible to cancel a flight without a fee under certain conditions. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, most airlines will allow you to do so without a penalty as part of their customer-friendly policies.

Can I cancel my United flight free of charge? ›

With our 24-hour booking policy you can make changes to your reservation within 24-hours of buying your ticket without paying a fee. But there are a few rules: You must book your flight at least one week in advance. You must cancel or change your flight within 24 hours of the time you made your reservation.

What is the cancel rate for United Airlines? ›

The overall on-time performance of United is 90% according to FlightStats, with, however, more than 4% of the flights cancelled or diverted.

Will United reimburse for cancelled flight? ›

You'll need to input your information, including your flight details and the reason you're requesting a refund. Once you've submitted the paperwork, United will then take up to 14 business days to process your claim. After it's approved, you can expect a refund credited to a credit card within seven business days.

What happens if I cancel a non-refundable flight on United? ›

According to the United Airlines cancellation policy, a non-refundable ticket will make you pay the United Airlines cancellation fee upon cancellation. The amount after deduction will be given to you via a credit. You have to use these credits within one year for booking tickets in the future.

Can I get a credit if I cancel my United flight? ›

If you change your travel plans, we'll waive any change fees even if your trip normally wouldn't qualify. If you cancel your trip, you'll receive a travel credit or refund for the part of your trip you didn't fly.

How late can I cancel a United flight? ›

24-Hour Grace Period: You can cancel a flight booked directly through United Airlines within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the reservation was made at least one week before departure. Non-Refundable Tickets: These tickets may incur cancellation fees, with the remaining balance held as a credit.

What happens if you cancel a non-refundable flight? ›

Depending on the ticket type, often, 'nonrefundable' simply means: The airline will not give you all of your money back if you cancel (true for most basic economy tickets). The airline will not refund your ticket value as cash (it will be remitted as a voucher instead).

What is the United Economy fully refundable? ›

What does “fully refundable” mean on United Airlines? This means that the ticket purchased is entitled to a cash refund after canceling the flight. You can buy a refundable ticket in almost any fare class except N, which is always basic economy.

How much is a flight cancellation fee? ›

In some cases, you can make changes to your itinerary with no fee. Every major U.S. airline (except Southwest Airlines) typically charges penalty fees to change or cancel an economy fare flight. The fees can vary from as low as $25 on a domestic flight to more than $400 on an international flight.

Will I get a full refund if my flight is cancelled? ›

RULES FOR FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

If a flight gets cancelled, then the airline has to inform the passenger less than two weeks, but atleast 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. The passenger can then ask for a seat on an alternate flight or seek a full refund from the airline.

How to book 100% refundable tickets? ›

While Booking your flight ticket, select 'Cancellation Protection' option and pay a nominal cancellation premium and enjoy ZERO penalty in case you wish to cancel the booking. Tickets should be cancelled 25 hrs prior to scheduled departure of the flight to avail this feature.

How do I get my money back from Cancelling a flight? ›

Cancel the flight in writing, either by mailing a letter or via email, as soon as you know you will not fly. The sooner you cancel, the higher the chance the airline is able resell your ticket and a refund of up to 95% of the ticket price will be provided to you.

Can I get a cash refund for a cancelled flight? ›

Airline passengers are now entitled to automatic cash refunds for canceled flights. Here's how to get yours. Flight delays and cancellations cost U.S. travelers a lot: meals at the airport, unplanned hotel stays, rearranged reservations and even completely canceled trips.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 6052

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.