United Airlines change and cancellation policy (2026)

Policy checked against United Airlines's own pages on November 1, 2026 by the Fos Travel Deals travel desk. Sources are listed at the end.

We are not United Airlines. Fos Travel Deals is an independent travel agency. We can change only tickets we issued; for a ticket you bought from United or another website, use United's My Trips or contact the seller. We can book you a new flight.

When United charges a change fee and when it doesn't

United waives change fees by route and by ticket type, not for everyone. If you hold an Economy, Economy Plus or premium-cabin ticket, there is no change fee on domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), on flights between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean, and on international trips that originate in the U.S.

Two groups still pay. Basic Economy tickets can't be changed at all until they are upgraded. International tickets that start outside the U.S. can be changed, but United's change fees apply. Group bookings made through United's group desk also follow change-fee rules.

How to change a United flight

On united.com or the United app, open My Trips, choose Change flight, select Edit, and pick the new flight. United says you can change as many times as you like without a change fee, but each change can bring a new fare difference.

If the new flight is cheaper, United doesn't refund the gap to your card; it issues a travel credit for the difference. Changes made by phone can carry a service charge, so the app or website is usually the cheapest route. At the airport, a kiosk or agent can make the change.

Same-day changes and free standby

A same-day change keeps your origin and destination and moves you to a United or United Express flight leaving within 24 hours before or after your original one. Premier members may get it free; other travelers may pay a price difference even when the same cabin is open.

Standby is free for everyone. In My Trips choose View flight options, or ask at a kiosk or the check-in counter. The list at the gate shows the first three letters of your last name and your first initial. Seats are assigned about 30 minutes before a domestic departure and 60 minutes before an international one, with priority going to Premier status, then cabin and certain cardmembers, then the time you asked.

If you switch flights on the day, ask an agent about an hour before departure whether your checked bag moved with you.

The 24-hour cancellation rule at United

United refunds the full fare if you cancel within 24 hours of buying, as long as the flight was booked at least one week before departure. You must cancel every flight for every passenger on the reservation; cancelling only part of it doesn't qualify.

Basic Economy and Money + Miles bookings can't be changed in that window, but they can still be cancelled for the full refund.

Cancelling later: refund or travel credit

To cancel, go to My Trips, select Cancel flight and confirm. United then shows what your ticket qualifies for, either a travel credit or a refund, depending on the fare you bought.

Most United travel credits expire one year after they are issued, so note the date. Award trips can be cancelled without a fee, and the miles go back to your account.

If United cancels your flight or changes it significantly and you decide not to travel, federal rules entitle you to a refund instead of a credit. See the refund rights section below.

Your refund rights if United cancels or changes your flight

Whatever the airline's own policy says, U.S. Department of Transportation rules give you a refund, not just a credit, when the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant change and you choose not to travel. A significant change includes departing 3 or more hours earlier or arriving 3 or more hours later on a domestic trip (6 hours internationally), a different origin or destination airport, more connections, or a downgrade to a lower class.

If you bought directly from the airline, the refund is automatic once you decline the rebooking or credit: within 7 business days for card purchases and 20 business days for cash.

The DOT 24-hour rule applies to tickets bought at least seven days before departure: the airline must either let you cancel for a full refund within 24 hours or let you hold the fare for 24 hours without paying.

Bought your ticket from a travel agency or website?

United says tickets bought through a travel agent or another website may be changeable with United, but an extra fee can apply on top of any change fee, and it recommends checking with the seller first.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• United: Flight changes
• United: Flexible booking options and 24-hour policy
• United: Travel credits
• U.S. DOT: Refunds

Other airline policy guides

Last checked November 1, 2026. Airlines change these rules without notice; United's own website is the final word for a ticket it issued.