United's refund policy depends on the ticket type and when you cancel
United Airlines refunds money to your original payment method only in specific situations. Most tickets sold by United fall into one of two categories: refundable or non-refundable. A refundable ticket means United will return your fare if you cancel before your flight departs. A non-refundable ticket means United will not return your money, though you may receive a travel credit instead.
The ticket type is set when you buy. You cannot change a non-refundable ticket into a refundable one after purchase. United shows you which type you are buying at checkout — the price difference is usually significant, with refundable tickets costing more.
Refunds are not automatic. You must request one through United's website, by phone, or at the airport. The time it takes to receive a refund varies: United says refunds processed online or by phone take 7 to 10 business days, though some refunds take longer depending on your bank or credit card company.
Key Takeaways
- Refundable tickets return your full fare as money if you cancel before departure; non-refundable tickets do not, though you get a travel credit instead.
- You choose refundable or non-refundable when you buy your ticket, and the choice cannot be changed later.
- United processes refund requests through its website, by phone at 1-800-UNITED-1, or at the airport ticket counter.
- Refunds to your original payment method take 7 to 10 business days after United processes them, though your bank may add additional time.
- If United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, you are may have access to to a refund regardless of ticket type.
What counts as a refundable ticket at United
United sells refundable tickets under several names depending on the route and cabin. On domestic flights, these are often labeled "Basic Economy Plus" or higher fare classes. On international flights, refundable options are more common across all fare levels. The exact names and availability change by route and booking date.
The simplest way to know if your ticket is refundable is to look at your booking confirmation email or your United account. The confirmation shows your fare type and states whether the ticket is refundable. If you are unsure, you can call United at 1-800-UNITED-1 and provide your confirmation number; a representative can tell you when ready.
Refundable tickets cost more than non-refundable ones on the same flight. How much more depends on the route, how far in advance you book, and current demand. There is no fixed percentage difference.
Non-refundable tickets and travel credits
Most economy tickets sold by United are non-refundable. If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, United does not return your money. Instead, you receive a travel credit for the full fare amount, valid for one year from your original booking date.
A travel credit is a voucher you can use to book any United flight within that year. You can transfer the credit to another person, though the new passenger must have the same name as the original ticket holder unless you contact United to change it. Travel credits do not expire until one year after the original booking date, not one year after you cancel.
If you do not use your travel credit within one year, it expires and you lose the money. United does not extend expiration dates except in rare circumstances, such as when a government order prevents travel.
When United must refund you regardless of ticket type
United is required to refund your money — not a travel credit — if the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change that you do not accept. A significant change typically means a departure time shift of more than one hour for domestic flights or more than two hours for international flights, though the exact threshold can vary.
If United cancels your flight, you have three options: rebook on another United flight at no charge, rebook on a partner airline, or request a refund. You must choose one within a set timeframe, usually communicated by email or phone. If you choose a refund, United processes it to your original payment method.
If you reject a significant schedule change, you can also request a refund instead of rebooking. This applies even to non-refundable tickets. United will not automatically offer this option — you must contact the airline to request it.
How to request a refund from United
To request a refund for a refundable ticket or a cancelled flight, visit United's website and sign into your account. Go to "Manage Reservations," find your booking, and look for a "Refund" or "Cancel" option. Follow the prompts to request your refund. United will show you the refund amount and ask you to confirm.
You can also call United at 1-800-UNITED-1 to request a refund. Have your confirmation number ready. A representative will verify your ticket type and process the refund over the phone. This method is faster if you need to discuss your situation or if you have questions about your specific booking.
At the airport, you can request a refund at the ticket counter before your flight departs. Bring your ID and booking confirmation. Airport staff can process refunds when ready, though the money still takes 7 to 10 business days to reach your account.
Refund timelines and what affects how long they take
After you request a refund, United typically processes it within 24 to 48 hours. Once United processes it, the money is sent to your original payment method. From that point, your bank or credit card company controls how long it takes to appear in your account — usually 7 to 10 business days, but sometimes longer.
If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement. If you paid with a debit card, the refund goes back to your debit account. If you paid with a gift card or United travel credit, the refund is issued as a new travel credit.
Refunds processed during weekends or holidays may take longer because banks do not process transactions on those days. If your refund does not appear within 10 business days, contact your bank first to confirm they received it. If your bank has no record, contact United with your confirmation number and the date you requested the refund.
Special situations: third-party bookings and package deals
If you booked your United flight through a travel website, airline miles program, or tour operator, the refund process may be different. Third-party sites have their own refund policies, which may be stricter than United's. You may need to request a refund from the third party rather than from United directly.
Check your booking confirmation to see who issued your ticket. If it shows a travel website name or tour operator, contact them first. They will tell you whether you can get a refund and what the process is.
If you purchased a package that includes a flight, hotel, and car rental together, the refund policy for the flight portion may be tied to the entire package. Some packages are non-refundable as a whole, even if the flight alone would be refundable. Review your package terms or contact the seller to understand what is refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about my trip?
Only if you bought a refundable ticket. Non-refundable tickets cannot be refunded for any reason except cancellation by United or a significant schedule change you reject. If you have a non-refundable ticket, you receive a travel credit instead, which you can use to book a different flight within one year.
What if I paid for my ticket with miles or points?
Refunds for award tickets (booked with miles or points) are issued as miles or points back to your account, not as money. The number of miles returned depends on United's refund policy for award tickets at the time you cancel. Contact United to confirm the exact amount you will receive.
Do I lose my refund if I wait too long to request it?
For refundable tickets, you can request a refund anytime before your flight departs. After your flight departs, United will not refund a ticket you did not use. For non-refundable tickets converted to travel credits, the credit expires one year from your original booking date, not from when you cancel.
Can United refuse to refund me if I have a valid refundable ticket?
United must refund a refundable ticket if you request it before departure. The only exception is if you already used part of the ticket (flew one leg of a multi-leg trip). In that case, United refunds only the unused portion. If you have questions about your specific booking, call United at 1-800-UNITED-1.
What happens if my refund is still missing after 10 business days?
Contact your bank or credit card company first to confirm they received the refund. If your bank has no record, gather your confirmation number and the date you requested the refund, then call United at 1-800-UNITED-1. United can investigate and reissue the refund if it was lost in processing.