Can I Cancel My United Flight and Get a Refund? Your Comprehensive Travel Refund Guide
Unexpected changes in travel plans are more common than ever, making it important for passengers to understand airline cancellation rules. If you’re asking yourself, “Can I cancel my United flight and get a refund?”—you’re certainly not alone. Fortunately, United Airlines has developed a detailed cancellation and refund policy that accommodates a variety of traveler needs while maintaining structure across ticket types.
Whether your trip is impacted by sudden emergencies, weather delays, or scheduling conflicts, knowing when and how you can cancel a United flight and potentially get your money back can help reduce the stress of travel.
The possibility of receiving a refund from United Airlines largely depends on the kind of ticket you purchased and how soon you cancel it. United separates tickets into two main types: refundable and non-refundable, with additional policies in place for Basic Economy, award travel, and cancellations caused by the airline itself.
Let’s walk through each scenario so you know what to expect when canceling your United flight.
United Airlines honors the U.S. Department of Transportation’s requirement that allows all travelers to cancel their reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund—provided the booking was made at least seven days before the flight’s departure.
This policy applies to all ticket types, including Basic Economy. It's ideal if you booked a ticket by mistake or had a change of heart shortly after confirming your trip.
Steps to cancel within 24 hours:
Navigate to “My Trips”
Enter your confirmation number and last name
Select your booking and choose “Cancel”
The full refund will return to your original payment method in 7–10 business days
Passengers who purchase refundable tickets enjoy the greatest flexibility. These fares are more expensive upfront but offer peace of mind for those with unpredictable schedules.
You can cancel your trip at any time before departure and receive a full refund, no questions asked.
To cancel refundable tickets:
Log into your MileagePlus account (if applicable)
Go to “My Trips”
Choose your reservation and click “Cancel”
Refund will automatically process or prompt you to submit a refund request
Always verify your fare type when booking, as not all premium tickets are automatically refundable.
Non-refundable tickets are the most common option for leisure travelers due to their lower price. While these do not qualify for a cash refund, they can often be canceled for flight credits, which can be used toward future travel with United.
Key points for non-refundable cancellations:
You must cancel before your scheduled departure time
A cancellation fee may apply to some international routes
The remaining ticket value will become a travel credit
Credits are valid for 12 months from the original issue date
Although you won’t get your money back in cash, travel credits provide a useful fallback for rescheduling your plans later.
Basic Economy fares come with strict rules. Typically, these tickets cannot be changed or canceled—unless you're doing so within the 24-hour risk-free window.
There are a few exceptions. If United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, even Basic Economy passengers may be eligible for a refund or free rebooking.
For travelers who value flexibility, Basic Economy should be avoided.
When United Airlines cancels your flight or significantly changes your schedule, you’re eligible for a full refund, regardless of ticket type. This includes:
Flight cancellations
Major delays or rebookings
Missed connections due to airline-caused disruptions
You can also choose to rebook for free or accept a travel credit instead. But legally, you’re entitled to a cash refund if the airline is the reason for the cancellation.
United Airlines makes it easy to cancel award tickets booked with MileagePlus miles. As long as you cancel before departure, you can:
Redeem your miles back into your account
Receive a refund for any taxes or fees paid
No cancellation or redeposit fees apply, which is a big win for frequent flyers using United’s loyalty program.
There are several ways to cancel your United Airlines flight, depending on your convenience:
1. Online:
Go to “My Trips”
Enter your booking details
Click “Cancel” and follow the prompts
2. Mobile App:
Open the United Airlines app
Select your flight from the “Trips” section
Tap “Cancel Flight”
3. By Phone:
Call United customer service at +1-833-845-1858
Speak with a representative to assist you with cancellation and refund details
4. At the Airport:
Visit a United help desk or customer service kiosk for last-minute cancellations
In certain situations, United Airlines may grant exceptions to their standard refund policy—even for non-refundable tickets.
Possible refund scenarios include:
Medical emergencies (with documentation)
Death of a passenger or immediate family member
Military deployment with official orders
Denied visa for international travel
You’ll need to contact United directly and provide any supporting documentation to be considered for a refund.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United has permanently removed change fees for many fare types, including:
Domestic flights
Flights between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
Select international destinations
This means that even with non-refundable tickets, you may modify your travel plans without incurring penalty fees. Additionally, United has made it easier to use and manage travel credits through your MileagePlus account.
The answer depends on a few key factors:
Yes, if you cancel within 24 hours of booking
Yes, if you booked a refundable ticket
Yes, if United cancels or significantly changes your flight
No, for most non-refundable and Basic Economy tickets—unless you qualify for a special exception or use travel credit
To protect your travel investment, consider purchasing refundable fares or adding trip insurance. And always review the cancellation terms before completing your booking with United Airlines.