Can I Cancel My United Flight and Get a Refund? A Complete Guide for Travelers
If you're wondering, "Can I cancel my United flight and get a refund?"—you're not alone. Flight cancellations are a common concern for travelers, especially when plans change due to emergencies, weather disruptions, or personal reasons. United Airlines, like many major carriers, has developed a cancellation and refund policy designed to offer some flexibility while protecting the airline from excessive losses. Understanding United’s cancellation policy and knowing when you're eligible for a refund is essential for making informed travel decisions and possibly saving money.
United Airlines allows passengers to cancel their flights, but whether or not you receive a refund depends on the type of ticket purchased and the timing of your cancellation. In many cases, United offers travel credits instead of direct refunds, especially for non-refundable tickets. However, there are specific scenarios where a full cash refund is possible.
The cancellation policy covers:
24-hour risk-free cancellation
Refundable vs. non-refundable tickets
Flight disruptions initiated by United
Award ticket cancellations
Basic Economy restrictions
Travel credit eligibility
Let's explore each of these in detail so you can determine if you're eligible for a refund when canceling your United flight.
United Airlines follows the U.S. Department of Transportation's rule that allows passengers to cancel their reservation within 24 hours of booking without penalty—as long as the flight was booked at least 7 days before departure. This policy applies to all fare types, including Basic Economy, giving travelers peace of mind immediately after making a booking.
To take advantage of this policy:
Visit united.com
Go to “My Trips”
Select your flight and click on “Cancel”
Refunds will be issued to the original payment method within 7–10 business days
This is the best option if you quickly realize your plans have changed or you've made a booking mistake.
If you've purchased a refundable ticket, you’re in luck. These tickets offer the most flexibility. You can cancel at any time before departure and receive a full refund to your original payment method. Refundable tickets are typically more expensive, but they’re ideal for business travelers or anyone with unpredictable schedules.
To cancel a refundable ticket:
Log in to your MileagePlus account (optional but helpful)
Navigate to “My Trips”
Select your reservation and choose “Cancel”
Submit the refund request if it doesn’t automatically process
Make sure your ticket is clearly marked as refundable when booking, as not all higher fare classes include refund eligibility.
The majority of travelers opt for non-refundable tickets due to their lower prices. While these tickets cannot be refunded in cash, you can cancel them and receive future flight credit for the value of the ticket—minus any applicable cancellation fees.
Important conditions for non-refundable tickets:
Must cancel before the scheduled departure time
A cancellation fee may be applied for certain international routes
The remaining value becomes an electronic travel certificate (ETC) or flight credit
Credit must be used within 12 months of the original ticket issue date
If you ask, “Can I cancel my United flight and get a refund with a non-refundable ticket?”—the short answer is no, unless you're within the 24-hour booking window. Otherwise, you’ll receive travel credit, not a cash refund.
Basic Economy fares are the most restrictive and come with severe limitations. Once purchased, these tickets cannot be changed or canceled except under the 24-hour risk-free cancellation rule. Beyond that, no refund or credit is provided, even if you miss the flight.
However, if United cancels or significantly changes your flight schedule, even Basic Economy passengers may be eligible for a refund or a no-fee rebooking.
If United Airlines cancels your flight, significantly changes the flight time, or creates a misconnection (due to delay or schedule adjustment), you are entitled to:
A full refund to your original form of payment
Free rebooking on the next available flight
An option to receive flight credit if preferred
This applies to all fare types, including Basic Economy. United is required by law to offer a full refund in these cases, regardless of ticket class.
If you booked your flight using MileagePlus miles, United now offers increased flexibility. You can cancel award travel and redeposit your miles with no cancellation fee, as long as the cancellation is made before the flight departs.
To cancel award travel:
Go to “My Trips” on united.com
Select the flight and click “Cancel”
Miles will be redeposited to your MileagePlus account
Any taxes paid in cash will be refunded to your card
This is a great benefit for loyalty program members, making award tickets almost as flexible as refundable fares.
Canceling a United flight is simple and can be done in several ways:
Online:
Visit www.united.com
Navigate to “My Trips”
Enter your confirmation number and last name
Select the trip and click “Cancel”
Mobile App:
Open the United Airlines mobile app
Go to “Trips”
Choose the flight and tap “Cancel Flight”
By Phone:
Contact United customer service at +1-833-845-1858
Speak with an agent to cancel your flight and review refund eligibility
At the Airport:
Visit a United Airlines check-in counter or customer service desk
There are special cases where you may qualify for a refund even with a non-refundable ticket:
Medical emergencies: Documentation may be required
Death in the family: Death certificate or proof needed
Military orders: Active-duty personnel may be eligible for waived fees or refunds
Visa denials for international travel
Contact United directly and be prepared to provide documentation for review.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines has made several permanent changes to improve cancellation flexibility:
No change fees on most Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class tickets for domestic U.S. travel and select international destinations
Easier use of flight credits through your MileagePlus account
Name changes allowed on certain travel credits
These adjustments have made it easier for travelers to modify plans without excessive penalties.
So, to answer the question: Can I cancel my United flight and get a refund? — it depends on your ticket type and circumstances. If you booked a refundable fare, canceled within 24 hours, or experienced a flight cancellation by United, you’re eligible for a full refund. Otherwise, most passengers with non-refundable tickets will receive travel credits instead of cash refunds.
To avoid surprises, always check the fare conditions before purchasing your ticket. If flexibility is a priority, consider buying refundable tickets or travel insurance to protect your plans.