You can cancel United Airlines flights and receive a refund depending on the fare type and timing of your cancellation. United allows travelers to cancel their booking within 24 hours of purchase without penalty, as long as the flight is at least seven days away. During this 24-hour window, you can get a full refund to your original payment method. This policy applies to nearly all tickets booked directly through United. After the 24-hour period, whether you get a refund or not depends on the ticket you purchased. United offers refundable and non-refundable fares. Refundable tickets are more flexible and allow cancellation at any time before departure with a full refund. If your ticket is refundable, you will receive the full amount back to the payment method you used to buy the ticket. On the other hand, non-refundable tickets usually cannot be refunded for cash after the risk-free period ends. Instead, if you cancel a non-refundable ticket, United generally issues a travel credit for the value of the ticket minus any cancellation fees. This credit can be used for future flights, but it often expires within a year. It is important to use this credit before it expires, or you may lose its value. Basic Economy tickets, which are the cheapest fares, have stricter rules. After the 24-hour cancellation window, these tickets are typically non-refundable and do not qualify for credits if you cancel. When booking Basic Economy, make sure you understand these restrictions. If you purchased your ticket through a third-party website or travel agency, you must contact that company to cancel or request a refund. United generally cannot process refunds for tickets bought outside of their system. In cases where United cancels your flight or changes your schedule significantly, you have the right to a full refund regardless of ticket type. This is true even for Basic Economy tickets. United will refund your money if the cancellation or change is on their end, and you do not have to accept travel credits unless you want to. To cancel your flight, you can use the United website or mobile app by logging into your account and managing your reservation. Canceling online is usually faster than calling customer service. After cancellation, if you are eligible for a refund, United will process it to your original payment method, but it may take several business days to appear on your statement. In summary, United Airlines provides a 24-hour free cancellation window, full refunds for refundable tickets, and travel credits for most non-refundable tickets after the risk-free period. Flight cancellations by United guarantee a full refund regardless of fare type. Understanding your ticket rules and acting quickly when canceling helps you get the best refund option. Always check your fare type and cancellation policy before booking to avoid surprises later.