United change fee waiver—how can I change my flight without paying a fee?
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.
Tips
- All United Airlines tickets (incl. Basic Economy) can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase.
- No change fee will apply (incl. for award tickets) if your flight is within the U.S., or for any international flight originating in the U.S.
- This is applicable to all Economy (except Basic) and Premium Cabin tickets.
- However, the fare difference must be paid if your new ticket is costlier.
- The following tickets can also be changed without a change fee:
- Basic Economy tickets issued by April 30, 2021.
- Standard Economy and Premium cabin international tickets issued by January 31, 2022.
- Basic Economy tickets can now be cancelled in exchange for a travel credit for future use:
- On domestic flights for USD 49.50 (one-way) and USD 99 (round-trip).
- On international flights for USD 99.50 (one-way) and USD 199 (round-trip).
The value of your travel credit will be your ticket price minus the cancellation fee, and you can use this credit to travel later.
- Most travel credits (incl. electronic travel certificates) expire within 1 year after the date of issue. However, the expiration date of all travel credits/electronic certificates set to expire on or before December 31, 2022, has been extended to December 31, 2023.
- You can change your flight as many times as you like, as long as you pay the applicable 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 can opt for a 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.
- Award Travel. 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.
- If your travel credit is issued for a flight that you booked through a travel agency, you must use the credit through your travel agency.
- 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 Flight Change Policy for COVID
What is United Airlines covid-19 policy?
If your travel plans have been affected by COVID-19, you may either be offered a future flight credit or a refund, depending on the severity of the situation. If you’ve already cancelled your flight booking, you must fill out the Refund Form and await for a response on whether you’re eligible for a refund. If yes, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment. Credit card refunds typically take 7 business days to be credited back and other refunds up to 20 business days after you place your request.
United Airlines Change Fee
Fare Type | Change Fee |
Basic Economy tickets | You can cancel and receive a flight credit for future travel, subject to the following cancellation charges:USD 49.50 per one-way domestic flightUSD 99.50 per one-way international flight |
Non-refundable tickets | USD 0 |
Refundable tickets | USD 0 |
Award tickets | USD 0 |
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Basic Economy Tickets
United Airlines 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.
Alternatively, you can cancel your ticket and opt for a flight credit, subject to a cancellation fee of:
- USD 49.50 per one-way domestic flight
- USD 99.50 per one-way international flight
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 will either be refunded to your original payment method or converted into a flight credit for future use, depending on the fare conditions of your ticket.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy & Fees for MileagePlus Award Tickets
The change fee for award travel tickets has now been eliminated for:
- Redepositing at least 31 days before departure.
- Travel originating in the U.S. within 30 days of departure.
However, the flight change fee for making changes to an international award travel ticket not originating in the U.S. within 30 days of departure is:
- USD 125 for General members.
- USD 100 for Premier Silver members.
- USD 75 for Premier Gold members.
- USD 50 for Premier Platinum members.
- USD 0 for Premier 1K members.
How to Change MileagePlus Award Tickets
You can make changes to your MileagePlus award travel ticket online through Manage Reservations.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Coronavirus (New)
According to United Airlines new flight change policy due to coronavirus, all tickets issued by January 31, 2022, 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 (+1-844-933-2065) or online. Online changes can be made if you purchase your ticket directly from United.
A screenshot of United Airlines My trips tab used for making flight changes
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.
Are United Travel Options Refundable?
If you refund or cancel your ticket and the fare rules of your ticket permit, your Travel Options bundle will be refunded automatically. If you have partially utilized your Travel Options bundle, the refund will only include the value of the unused portion of your Economy Plus/Premier Access features.
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.
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