United Airlines Fee: Flight Change, Cancellation or More: Everything You Need To Know

In terms of change fees, United Airlines has got you covered. On domestic flights, United does not charge change fees except in basic economy. Among other flexible, fee-free booking options, the airline offers same-day standby flights for free to passengers interested in booking earlier flights.

United charges extra for checked baggage, before boarding, preferred seating, and pet travel.

United Airlines change fees

There are plenty of options when it comes to changing your United flight. As of August 2020, U.S. domestic and international paid flights are no longer subject to change fees. Flights to other countries are excluded from basic economy fares.

Although passengers can change their flights at no cost, there is one caveat: If your new flight is more expensive, you must still pay for the difference in fare. You may be able to get a future flight credit if your new fare is cheaper.

When flying domestically or internationally, United does not charge a change fee when your flight originates in the U.S.

United Flight Change Policy For Basic Economy Tickets

Despite booking within 24 hours, passengers with basic economy tickets cannot change their flights. It is best to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking (free) and then purchase a new one.

Alternatively, you can utilize e-credits under United’s one-way domestic change fee of $49.50. International change fees are $99.50.

United Airlines Change Fees For Non-Refundable Tickets

According to United’s latest change flight policy, non-refundable tickets can be changed without incurring any fees. If you wish to change your flight, United requires the fare difference to be paid.

The United change fee applies to same-day flight changes –

• For general members and silver-tier members, the fee is $75.
• Gold, Platinum, and 1K members are free.

United Airlines Change Fees for Refundable Tickets

For rescheduling flights with refundable tickets, United does not charge a change fee. In contrast, if you are shifting to a more expensive ticket, you are legally obligated to pay the fare difference. Additionally, if your new flight is cheaper than before, the airline will either refund the fare difference to your original payment method or convert it into e-credits. Nevertheless, the refund and e-credit plausibility is entirely dependent on whether the ticket is eligible for a refund or e-credit.

United Flight Change Fees for MileagePlus Award Tickets

Depending on the time you revoke your award ticket and your elite status, you may be charged. For travel originating in the US within 30 days of departure, the United Change fee is now waived. 

Nonetheless, United Airlines charges a change fee for international award tickets (originating outside the US) as follows:

• For general members, there is a fee of 125 dollars.
• The Premier Silver membership fee is $100.
• For Premier Gold members, the fee is $75.
• For Premier Platinum members, the fee is $50.
• Premier 1K members pay nothing.

United Airlines Cancellation Fee

In the past, United charged a cancellation fee of $200, but those fees are no longer charged. As of right now, United Airlines charges the following cancellation fees:

• The cancellation of any ticket—even basic economy—for a full refund is permitted if it was purchased within 24 hours and at least a week before vacation departure.
• Generally, a cash refund is not possible after 24 hours for non-refundable tickets. Instead, you will be issued a future flight credit. This credit does not apply to basic economy fares.
• Basic economy tickets will not be refunded if you cancel them.

United Economy Cancellation Policy

United Airlines Cancellation Policy only allows refunds for tickets purchased at least one week before departure if canceled within 24 hours of departure.

Non-refundable ticket cancellation fee for United Airlines

According to the United Airlines Cancellation Policy, if you cancel a non-refundable ticket more than 24 hours after purchasing it, you’ll have to pay $200 for domestic flights and up to $400 for international flights.

United Airlines Refundable Ticket Cancellation Fee

Under United Cancellation Policy, refundable tickets can be canceled at any time before your flight leaves. The refund will be credited to the original method of payment. As per United Airlines Cancellation Policy, credit card payments are usually processed within 7 business days (and appear on your statement within 1-2 billing cycles). Alternative payment methods may take up to 20 business days.

United Airlines Award Ticket Cancellation Fee

General United members are charged $125 if they wish to cancel their flight 60 days or less before departure, $100 for Silver members, $75 for Gold members, $50 for Platinum members, and $100 for 1K members. General members will be fined $75, Silver members $50, Gold members $25, and Platinum and 1K members 0 when canceling 61 days or more in advance.

According to United Airlines Cancellation Policy, if you fail to show up for the flight, you must pay $125 for your miles to be restored.

United Airlines Standby Fees

The fee for confirmed same-day flight changes will remain $75 for non-elite travelers but will be waived for Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Platinum, 1K, and Global Services elites.

Additionally, if your original fare class isn’t available, you’ll have to pay the difference in fare. By the time the same-day change countdown begins, many previously closed fare classes are accessible again, and even the cheapest fares are often available again.