United Airlines’ cancellation policy offers flexibility depending on the fare type and timing of the cancellation. If a flight is canceled within 24 hours of booking and at least seven days before departure, passengers are eligible for a full refund, regardless of the fare type. This includes Basic Economy, which normally has stricter rules. Refunds are typically returned to the original payment method within seven business days for credit card purchases and up to 20 days for other payment types. After the 24-hour period, refundable tickets can still be canceled for a full refund at any time before the flight departs. Non-refundable tickets do not qualify for cash refunds, but the ticket value can be used as credit toward a future United flight. In some cases, a change or cancellation fee may apply, especially on certain international routes, but United has removed most change fees on standard economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the United States. If United cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change—such as a delay of over three hours for domestic or six hours for international—passengers are entitled to a full refund even on non-refundable tickets. This policy follows federal regulations and applies when the airline cannot offer a suitable replacement flight. For award tickets booked with MileagePlus miles, United allows cancellations with no fee if done in advance, but a no-show may result in a redeposit fee. Optional purchases such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, or travel insurance are typically non-refundable. Cancellations can be made through United’s website or mobile app under the “My Trips” section, and customer service is available for additional help. Passengers are encouraged to review their specific fare rules and act promptly to cancel or modify their plans.