United Airlines' cancellation fees depend on the type of ticket purchased and the timing of the cancellation. For tickets booked directly through United, passengers have a 24-hour risk-free cancellation period, meaning they can cancel their reservation within 24 hours of booking without any fees as long as the flight is at least seven days away. After this period, cancellation fees may apply depending on the fare type. Basic Economy tickets are the most restrictive. These tickets generally do not allow cancellations or changes after the 24-hour window. If canceled within 24 hours, a full refund is available, but after that, no refund or travel credit is typically provided. For Main Cabin and other standard Economy tickets that are non-refundable, cancellations after the 24-hour period usually do not result in a cash refund. Instead, passengers receive a travel credit equal to the unused ticket value minus any applicable cancellation fees. These fees can vary, but for domestic flights, they are often around two hundred dollars, while for international flights, they may be higher. Refundable tickets offer the most flexibility and do not have cancellation fees. Passengers can cancel these tickets at any time before departure and receive a full refund to their original payment method. Refund processing times generally take from seven to fourteen business days. For award tickets booked with miles, cancellation policies depend on how far in advance the cancellation occurs and the passenger’s loyalty status. If canceled more than thirty days before the flight, there is usually no fee. If canceled within thirty days, cancellation fees can range from seventy-five to one hundred twenty-five dollars, and no-show penalties may apply as well. Special situations such as illness, death of an immediate family member, or military duty may allow fee waivers, but require supporting documentation. Cancellation can be done online via United’s website or app, or through customer service. If the ticket was purchased through a travel agent or third party, cancellation must be handled through them. Passengers should cancel before the flight departs to avoid being classified as a no-show, which generally results in losing the entire ticket value. Overall, while standard cancellation fees have been reduced or eliminated for many fare types, some tickets, especially Basic Economy and non-refundable fares, still carry cancellation fees or result in forfeited ticket value if canceled late. Passengers should carefully review their ticket’s fare rules and act promptly to minimize fees. Understanding these policies helps travelers make informed decisions about cancellations and avoid unexpected costs. |
