United Airlines’ cancellation policy depends on the type of ticket you purchase and when you cancel. If you book your ticket directly with United and cancel within 24 hours of booking, you can get a full refund to your original payment method, provided your flight is at least seven days away. This applies to all ticket types, including Basic Economy. However, once the 24-hour period passes, Basic Economy tickets generally cannot be canceled or changed, and no refund or credit is given. For non-refundable standard tickets, if you cancel after the 24-hour window, you will not receive a cash refund. Instead, you will get a travel credit equal to the remaining value of your ticket, which you can use toward future flights within one year. Refundable tickets allow you to cancel at any time before departure and receive a full refund back to your original payment method. If you use MileagePlus miles to book an award ticket, you can cancel and have your miles returned to your account without any fee, unless you miss your flight without canceling, which may result in a redeposit fee. If United cancels your flight or makes a major change to your itinerary, you are entitled to a full refund regardless of your ticket type. Refunds for eligible cancellations are typically processed within seven business days if paid by credit card, and may take longer for other payment methods. You can cancel your ticket online through United’s website or mobile app, by phone, or at the airport. If your ticket was purchased through a third party, such as a travel agency or another website, you must contact them to handle cancellations or refunds. United no longer charges cancellation fees on most tickets, but you should avoid missing your flight without canceling, as this may lead to losing your ticket value or incurring fees, especially with award tickets. It’s important to review your ticket’s cancellation terms before booking and try to cancel early if your plans change. Overall, United offers more flexibility for refundable and standard fares, strict policies for Basic Economy, and protections under the 24-hour cancellation rule and airline-initiated cancellations.