There have been significant changes to United Airlines flight change policy due to the coronavirus pandemic. United has permanently eliminated the change fees for standard Economy (except Basic Economy), Economy Plus, United First, United Business, and United Premium Plus tickets if you’re travelling:
- Within the United States
(incl. Alaska, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii) - Between the United States and Mexico or the Caribbean
- On international flights originating in the U.S.
Note
- Basic Economy tickets can only be changed if issued up to December 31, 2021, as long as the travel date commences by December 31.
- On all other international routes not covered above, the flight change fee has been waived for tickets issued by December 31.
- Electronic certificates will now be valid for 24 months from the date of issue. This includes electronic certificates that are currently valid as well those issued after April 1. Plus, the expiration date of all electronic certificates set to expire before December 31, has been extended to December 31.
- You can change your flight as many times as you like, as long as you pay the fare difference each time.
- If you’re not sure when you want to travel again, you don’t have to choose a new flight right away. You’ll receive a future flight credit, which you must use within 1 year of your original ticket’s issue date.
- If your new flight is cheaper, you’ll receive a future flight credit for the difference if your fare rules permit.
- If you’re holding an award ticket on an Economy/Premium Economy fare, you won’t be charged any change fees as long as you’re traveling within the U.S. or internationally if your flight originates in the U.S.
- The same-day standby fee has been eliminated for taking an earlier flight on the same day.
- MileagePlus Premier members can confirm a seat on an earlier flight at no cost.
- Group fares purchased via United’s Group Desk will still be subject to a change fee.
United Airlines 24-Hour Flight Change Policy
United Airlines’ 24-hour flight change policy is similar to its 24-hour cancellation policy. You have up to 24 hours from the time of original booking to make changes to your reservations without being charged a fee, provided you purchased your ticket 7 days or more before departure. This policy applies to all tickets except Basic Economy.
United Airlines Change Fee | |
Fare Type | Change Fee |
Basic Economy tickets | Not allowed after December 31, 2021 |
Non-refundable tickets | USD 0 |
Refundable tickets | USD 0 |
Award tickets | USD 0 |
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Basic Economy Tickets
United Airlines flight change policy does not allow you to make changes to a Basic Economy ticket, even within the 24-hour window. The best way out would be to cancel within 24 hours (free of charge) and then buy a new ticket.
Exception. Basic Economy tickets purchased up to December 31, can be changed without attracting a flight change fee as long as the travel date commences on December 31.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Non-Refundable Tickets
United Airlines revised flight change policy now allows you to change a non-refundable ticket free of charge. However, you will have to pay the fare difference, if any.
If you’re making a same-day change, United Airlines will charge you:
- USD 75 if you’re a general or Silver-tier member.
- USD 0 if you’re a Gold, Platinum, or 1K member.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Refundable Tickets
United Airlines will not charge you any change fee for making changes to a refundable ticket. However, if you’re changing to a costlier ticket, you will have to pay the price difference. If you’re changing to a cheaper option, the fare difference may be refunded to your original payment method—depending on your fare conditions.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Award Tickets
The change fee for award tickets has now been eliminated. This means you can make changes to your award ticket without having to pay any change fee. The waiver on redeposit fees will only apply if you cancel your flight at least 30 days before departure.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Coronavirus
According to United Airlines flight change policy due to coronavirus, all tickets issued by December 31, 2021, enjoy a change fee waiver. This includes Basic Economy tickets and covers all destinations. Plus, you’re allowed to cancel your flight and receive a flight credit which will be valid for 12 months from the original ticket’s issue date.
How to Change a Flight on United Airlines
You can change your United Airlines flight (time, date, or destination) by phone () or online. Online changes can be made if you purchase your ticket directly from United.
To make changes to your flight date, time, and/or destination online, follow the steps listed below.
- Go to United.com
- From the top pane of the booking box, select My trips
- Access your trip by entering your confirmation number and last name
- Select the itinerary you want to manage
- Select the Change flight option and then Edit to:
- Change your travel date or time
- Change your destination
- Add a flight
- Remove a flight
- Click on Continue to choose a new flight
- Proceed with your booking to confirm your new itinerary
(even if the change fee shows up as waived, any difference in fare will apply)
You will receive an e-mail confirming the flight change.
Note. If you want to cancel your flight and rebook later, go to United.com 🡪 Select My trips 🡪 Select Cancel flight 🡪 Select Confirm cancellation 🡪 Choose a Travel Credit option for future travel.
United Airlines Policy for Missed, Delayed, or Cancelled Flights
If your flight gets delayed by 1 hour or more or you miss a connecting flight, United will find you a new flight (you’ll be notified, and all you need to do is check in for the new flight, download your boarding pass, and proceed to take the flight).
Alternatively, you can choose a flight that works best for you by following the steps below:
- Download the United app 🡪 Select Check-in 🡪 Proceed to book your new flight
- Go to United.com 🡪 Select Check-in 🡪 Enter the required information to view your trip 🡪 Choose a more convenient flight
- Use an airport kiosk to change your flight
If none of the flights work for you, you can ask for a refund.
Tip. If you need extra help, call United Airlines, contact United on social media (@United), or visit a Customer Service Center.
United Airlines Schedule Change Policies
If United Airlines changes your flight’s arrival/departure time or frequency, or adds/discontinues a route, or changes your aircraft type, you will be informed by email if you booked directly through United Airlines. If you booked through a third party such as a travel agency or website, your source of purchase will inform you of the schedule change. You can also find out by contacting your source of purchase or reviewing your flight itinerary on United.com.
If the new flight schedule doesn’t work for you:
- Contact your travel agent and ask for assistance
- Contact United Airlines for assistance:
- By phone
- Online through My trips
United will do its best to minimize the disruption caused to your travel plans. If the new flight option still doesn’t work for you because of a significant change in the scheduled arrival or departure time, or if you could not be accommodated in the same cabin as your original flight, you can ask for a full refund.
Angela Greco says:
What’s the difference between a fully refundable ticket or buying a regular ticket & adding the insurance?