United Airlines’ cancellation policy varies depending on the fare type and when you cancel your flight. If you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking, and the booking was made at least seven days before the flight, you can get a full refund regardless of the ticket type. This rule applies to most tickets, including Basic Economy, as long as you book directly through United. However, tickets bought with certain vouchers or certificates may not qualify for this 24-hour refund.

Basic Economy tickets are the most restrictive. After the 24-hour window, these tickets cannot be changed or refunded. If you cancel, you will lose the entire amount paid for the ticket. For other non-refundable tickets, if you cancel after the initial 24 hours, you won’t get a cash refund but may receive a travel credit equal to the remaining value of your ticket, minus cancellation fees. These fees usually range from about two hundred dollars for domestic flights to up to four hundred dollars for international travel, depending on the route and fare class.

Refundable tickets offer the most flexibility. You can cancel anytime before your flight’s departure and receive a full refund to your original payment method. The refund process usually takes up to seven business days for credit card payments and can take longer for other payment types.

If you used United MileagePlus miles to book an award ticket, you can cancel without penalty before departure. However, if you miss your flight without canceling, a fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars is charged to redeposit your miles back into your account, regardless of your membership level.

United also considers special situations like illness, death of a passenger or close family member, or jury duty. In these cases, they may offer refunds on non-refundable tickets if you provide proper documentation to support your request.

You can cancel your flight easily through United’s website or mobile app by logging into your account and selecting your reservation. You may also call customer service or visit an airport ticket counter for help with cancellations.

In summary, United’s cancellation policy depends on the fare type and timing. The 24-hour cancellation window allows most passengers to cancel for free. Basic Economy tickets do not allow changes or refunds after this period. Non-refundable tickets provide travel credits with cancellation fees after 24 hours. Refundable tickets offer full refunds any time before departure. Award tickets can be canceled without penalty unless you are a no-show. Special circumstances may allow refunds even on non-refundable fares. Understanding these rules helps passengers manage cancellations and refunds without surprises.