United Airlines offers a comprehensive refund and cancellation policy that provides flexibility for passengers under various circumstances. One of the key features of United’s policy is the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. If you book a ticket directly through United and cancel within 24 hours of purchase, you are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, provided the flight departure is at least seven days away. This means you can change your mind shortly after booking without any penalty or fees. This policy applies to all ticket types, including Basic Economy, which normally has more restrictions. After this 24-hour window, the refund eligibility depends on the ticket type and specific fare rules.

Refundable tickets purchased from United can be canceled at any time before departure for a full refund. You simply need to submit a refund request through United’s website or customer service, and the refund will be processed to the original payment method. Credit card refunds typically post within seven business days, while other forms of payment may take up to twenty business days. Non-refundable tickets, on the other hand, generally do not qualify for cash refunds after the 24-hour period. Instead, United usually offers travel credits for the unused value of the ticket, which can be applied toward future travel on United. These credits often have expiration dates, so it is important to use them within the specified time frame.

If United cancels your flight or significantly changes your itinerary—such as a delay of three hours or more domestically or six hours internationally—you are entitled to a full refund regardless of your ticket type. This also applies if your flight is downgraded to a lower cabin class or if there is a change in the origin or destination airport. In these cases, you can request a refund online or through customer service without any fees. Additionally, if you experience a baggage delay of over 12 hours on domestic flights or longer on international flights, United will automatically refund any checked bag fees.

United also provides options for passengers who booked award tickets with MileagePlus miles. If you cancel an award ticket, the miles are generally redeposited into your account, though a fee may apply if you are a no-show. For regular tickets, cancellation fees vary depending on the fare class and route. For example, cancellation penalties for tickets issued for travel within North America typically start at $125, while international tickets may incur higher fees up to $500 for premium cabins. These fees are deducted from the refund amount or travel credit issued.

To request a refund, passengers can use United’s online refund form, which allows you to track the status of your request. Refunds are processed individually and credited back to the original payment method. If you booked through a travel management company or third party, you may need to coordinate with them for refunds. United does not allow refunds to alternative payment methods or transfers to other travelers.

In summary, United Airlines allows full refunds within 24 hours of booking if the flight is at least seven days away. Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time for a full refund, while non-refundable tickets typically receive travel credits after the 24-hour window. Flight cancellations or significant schedule changes by United entitle passengers to full refunds without fees. Cancellation fees vary by fare and route, and refunds are processed back to the original payment method within days to weeks. Passengers are encouraged to review their fare rules and act promptly to maximize refund eligibility.