You can cancel United Airlines flights and get a refund depending on your ticket type and cancellation timing. United offers a 24-hour flexible booking policy allowing full refunds if the ticket is canceled within 24 hours of booking, provided the reservation was made at least seven days before departure. This applies to all ticket types, including non-refundable ones.
Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time before departure for a full refund to the original payment method. Refunds are usually processed within seven business days for credit card purchases and up to 20 business days for other payment methods. Refund requests can be submitted online through the "My Trips" section on the United website or via the mobile app.
Non-refundable tickets generally do not qualify for cash refunds. However, when canceled, the value of the ticket is issued as a future flight credit, minus any applicable change fees. This credit can be applied toward new bookings with United and typically expires after one year from the issue date.
Basic Economy tickets are the most restrictive and are not eligible for changes or refunds after the 24-hour cancellation window. Once the risk-free period ends, Basic Economy tickets become completely non-refundable and non-changeable, regardless of circumstances, except in special cases like government travel restrictions or death of a passenger.
If a flight was booked using MileagePlus award miles, the cancellation process is different. Award tickets can be canceled without a fee if done in advance, and miles are redeposited into the member’s account. However, if the passenger fails to cancel before departure and doesn't show up, a redeposit fee applies.
Cancellations and refunds can be processed online by logging into your United account and navigating to the “My Trips” section. Alternatively, cancellations can be made through the United Airlines mobile app, which also supports refund requests and credit tracking. For assistance, passengers may contact United Airlines customer service directly through official channels.
In cases where United cancels or significantly delays a flight, passengers are entitled to a full refund regardless of fare type. This applies if the delay causes a missed connection or if the new schedule is unacceptable. Refunds must be requested, and the airline typically processes them back to the original payment method.
Passengers who purchased travel insurance should review their policy, as it may offer additional refund protections in case of illness, emergencies, or other covered reasons. Documentation, such as receipts and confirmation numbers, should be kept in case verification is needed for processing the refund.
To cancel and obtain a refund, always use official United Airlines platforms and confirm the terms of your specific ticket. Avoid unofficial numbers such as +1-877-827-8493 unless verified through United’s website.