United Airlines’ cancellation policy is designed to provide flexibility while balancing fare rules and refund eligibility based on ticket type and timing. One of the most important features is the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window, which allows passengers to cancel their reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original form of payment, provided the flight is booked at least seven days before departure. This policy applies to all ticket types, including Basic Economy, and requires that all flights and passengers on the reservation be canceled together; partial cancellations do not qualify for this refund. The 24-hour period begins at the time of booking, and cancellations must be made within this window to be eligible. Tickets booked through United’s website, app, ticket offices, airport counters, or customer contact center qualify for this policy.

Beyond the 24-hour window, refund eligibility depends on the fare purchased. Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time before departure for a full refund, which will be processed back to the original payment method. Credit card refunds typically take up to seven business days, while other payment methods may take up to twenty business days. Non-refundable tickets, which make up the majority of United’s fares, do not qualify for cash refunds after the 24-hour period. Instead, passengers may receive travel credits equal to the unused ticket value, which can be applied toward future United flights. The availability and amount of travel credit depend on the fare rules associated with the ticket purchased. Basic Economy tickets are the most restrictive; after the 24-hour window, cancellations are not allowed, but passengers may be eligible for partial travel credit if canceled before the scheduled departure.

If United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, such as a delay of three hours or more on domestic flights or six hours internationally, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of ticket type, with no cancellation fees. Similarly, if your flight is downgraded to a lower cabin class or if there is a change in origin or destination airport, you can request a refund. In these cases, you can submit a refund request online or contact customer service. United also refunds baggage fees automatically if your checked bags are delayed beyond 12 hours domestically or longer internationally.

Award tickets booked with MileagePlus miles can be canceled at any time before departure, with miles redeposited free of charge unless you are a no-show, in which case a $125 redeposit fee applies. Taxes and fees paid in cash are refunded to the original payment method. For non-award tickets, cancellation fees vary by fare class and route, often ranging from $125 for domestic flights to higher amounts for international or premium cabin tickets. These fees are deducted from refunds or travel credits.

To cancel a flight, passengers can log in to their United account online or via the app, navigate to “My Trips,” select the reservation, and choose “Cancel flight.” Alternatively, cancellations can be requested by calling United’s customer service. It is important to cancel all passengers and all flights on a reservation to qualify for refunds under the 24-hour policy. Partial cancellations or changes may not be eligible.

In summary, United Airlines allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least seven days away. Refundable tickets can be canceled anytime before departure for a full refund, while non-refundable tickets generally 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 should review fare rules carefully and act promptly to maximize refund eligibility.