How Do I Cancel My Flight With United Airlines?

If you are considering booking United Airlines tickets or have already booked, you must know their cancellation and refund options. United Airlines' cancellation policy comes in handy when you have uncertain travel plans or sudden emergencies that prevent you from flying. As long as you know the rules, you can easily cancel your flights when your travel plans change.  

So, what exactly do you need to know about canceling a United Airlines flight ticket? Read the subsections below to understand the detailed policy of the airline and terminate your travel plans. Let’s find out about it in detail!

What Is United Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy?

Before you continue to cancel a flight, read the United Airlines cancellation policy details below to avoid any inconveniences. Here are the details:

United Airlines 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

If you have just booked your flight and now you have to cancel it, rest assured. The United Airlines 24-hour cancellation policy allows you to terminate your plans on the same day as booking without a penalty. But here are some rules that apply:

  • The booking should be at least one week in advance.
  • You must cancel within 24 hours of making the reservations
  • You have to cancel flights for all passengers on the reservations
  • This applies even to Basic Economy tickets.

Major Terms and Conditions For 24-hour rule

–it applies to tickets booked on United Airlines through any official point of sale.

–the 24-hour limit begins the moment you book your United Airlines ticket.

–the refund credits are in the original form of payment.

–group contract rules apply for canceling United Airlines group tickets

–you can not cancel tickets purchased using e-certificates 

General Cancellation Policy for United Airlines Flights

After the 24 hours windown passes, United Airlines cancellation policy applies where you may or may not be eligible for a full refund depending on your ticket type. Here are the details:

  • You can only cancel tickets purchased through United Airlines or United Express.
  • Third-party bookings 
  • Although there is a United Airlines cancellation fees waiver in effect, there may be some fees for canceling tickets depending on your trip type and fares.
  • Canceling nonrefundable tickets after the risk-free window is chargeable; however, the airline may offer you a future travel credit.
  • You can cancel fully refundable tickets any time up to 3 days before departure free of charge.
  • Credit card payment refunds typically take up to 7 business days to show.
  • If you booked tickets using any other payment method, it can take up to 20 days and above for refunds.
  • Ticket booking and service fees are nonrefundable after the 24-hour booking window.

In some cases, United Airlines non-refundable ticket cancellation is also free of charge. You can check your ticket online and read the fare rules to see whether you can cancel it for free or not. For more details on cancellations and rules, feel free to connect with the airline's customer service team.

Rules For Canceling United Airlines MileagePlus Award Tickets

  • You can cancel your MileagePlus award tickets and get miles back into your account with no fee depending on the situation.
  • You can use the United website, or official mobile app, or call them to speak to a representative and cancel your award tickets.
  • The airline will charge no fee depending on the status on your MileagePlus awards account.

How to cancel a flight with United Airlines?

You can cancel a United Airlines flight online or by calling their customer service team. The airline even allows you to drop by their airport counters and request a refund. Here are the major methods to cancel tickets you must know of:

Online Cancellation via Website

  1. Visit the official United Airlines website.
  2. Navigate to the "My Trips" section.
  3. Log in to your account or enter your reservation details.
  4. Select the option to Change or Cancel your booking.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the cancellation.
  6. Confirm any applicable fees or charges.
  7. Finalize the process and complete your cancellation.

You will receive a confirmation email with details about the cancellation and a link to initiate a refund if eligible. You can also follow a similar process to cancel flights using the United Airlines mobile app.

Offline Cancellation via Customer Support

  1. Contact United Airlines Customer Service at 1 (800) 864-8331.
  2. Follow the automated prompts to reach a live representative.
  3. Explain your request to cancel the flight.
  4. Provide your reservation or booking details.
  5. The agent will outline the cancellation policies and any applicable fees.
  6. Confirm and authorize the cancellation.
  7. Once processed, you will receive a confirmation along with a cancellation reference number and a refund request link, if applicable.

Alternatively, you can visit a United Airlines service desk at the airport to request a cancellation in person.

How Much is The United Airlines Flight Cancellation Fees?

United Airlines does not impose any fees to cancel a flight as long as your fare rules allow it. Some nonrefundable fares, however, require a certain amount of fee. Other than their cancellation fees waiver eligible tickets, you have to pay a change fee, FRP, $0 to $200, depending on the fare type and time of cancellation. Remember to check your fare information before canceling flights to make sure you understand the fee and associated charges with ticket cancellations.

What Happens When United Airlines Cancels My Flights?

If you want to cancel your tickets voluntarily, you can now follow the instructions mentioned before. However, when United Airlines cancels flights, they offer a different approach. Although you can still make decisions about your travel reservations, you must remember these points in detail.

  • The airline will notify you about cancellations through several available channels.
  • You will get an alternate flight to your destination at a different schedule.
  • You have the right to cancel and request a refund for the alternate flight free of charge.

You can access all your booking details and cancel your flights through United Airlines' official website to terminate your travel plans.

Final Words

That’s all you need to know to cancel your United Airlines flights. Make the process quick  with this easy set of rules and processes., Remember to check the United Airlines cancellation policy details before terminating your plans to avoid any hassles. Make sure to consult with FlyTripHub if you have more queries associated with ticket cancellations or any other service of the airline.

Read More

United Airlines Change Flight

United Airlines Group Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What is the cancellation policy with United Airlines?

A: United Airlines allows passengers to cancel their flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund, provided the ticket was purchased at least 7 days before departure. After this 24-hour period, cancellation fees may apply to request ticket cancellations.

Q.2 Is there a penalty to cancel a United flight?

A: For most fare types, there is no penalty to cancel within the 24-hour window. However, cancellations made after this period for non-refundable tickets may incur a fee ranging from $0 to $200, depending on the ticket class and destination.

Q.3 How late can I cancel my United flight?

A: You can cancel your United flight up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. For refundable tickets, cancellations made before departure are eligible for a full refund. Non-refundable ticket holders may receive a travel credit minus any applicable fees.

Q.4: Can you cancel the United Basic Economy?

A: Yes, Basic Economy tickets can be canceled within the 24-hour window for a full refund, provided the booking was made at least 7 days prior to departure. After 24 hours, Basic Economy fares are generally non-refundable and cannot be changed or canceled without forfeiting the ticket value.

Q.5: What happens if United Airlines cancels my flight?

A: You’ll be offered an alternate flight or a full refund if the new option doesn’t meet your needs.

Q.6: How do I get a refund for a canceled United flight?

A: Request a refund through the My Trips section on United’s website or contact customer service. Refunds typically take 7 to 20 business days.