Steps to getting a refund from United Airlines?
Itâs no secret that United Airlines has a tendency to add extra fees to your airfare đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Even the in-flight Diet Coke will cost you $4, and youâll owe $25 if you ask the airport agent to print your boarding pass đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
United Airlines beat out only one other airline, Frontier, in the fees category of NerdWalletâs annual Best Ofâs awards for 2023, meaning United Airlines's rating on fees was second-to-worst of the nine airlines considered đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ United Airlines walked away from those awards with a sad 1 đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§2 stars out of 5 in the fees category đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
The good news is that not every United Airlines flight cancellation will incur a refund fee đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ If you cancel your flight early enough, you might be able to get a full refund to your original form of payment, without any added fees đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
FAQs
Q1: Can I get a refund from United Airlines?
United Airlines typically offers refunds only for certain refundable tickets or under special circumstances, such as flight cancellations by the airline. Non-refundable tickets are generally only eligible for a future travel credit.
Q2: How do I request a refund from United Airlines?
To request a refund, you can visit the United Airlines website or contact their customer service directly. Be sure to have your booking details on hand. For immediate assistance, call +1-(856)-804-1404.
Q3: Will United Airlines issue a refund if I cancel my flight?
United Airlines usually does not issue refunds for voluntary cancellations unless youâve purchased a refundable fare. Instead, you may receive a credit for future travel, depending on the fare type and cancellation timing.
Q4: Can I get a refund if United Airlines cancels my flight?
Yes, if United Airlines cancels your flight, you are eligible for a refund or rebooking. You can choose to receive a full refund to your original payment method or opt for a future travel credit.
Q5: How long does it take to receive a refund from United Airlines?
Refunds typically take 7 to 20 business days to process, depending on your payment method. If you havenât received your refund within this time frame, contact United Airlines' customer service.
Q6: Can I request a refund for add-on services?
Refunds for add-on services such as baggage fees, seat selection, or priority boarding are generally non-refundable. However, if the flight is canceled by United Airlines, you may be eligible for a refund of these services.
Q7: Are United Airlines' refunds subject to any fees?
For non-refundable tickets, cancellations may involve fees, and the remaining balance is issued as a credit. For refundable tickets, you will receive a full refund without any fees.
Q8: How can I check the status of my refund request?
You can check the status of your refund request by logging into your United Airlines account or contacting customer service. For a quicker response, call +1-(856)-804-1404 to speak to a representative.
Q9: What happens if I miss my flight? Can I still get a refund?
If you miss your flight without canceling in advance, you may not be eligible for a refund. United Airlines' no-show policy typically means forfeiting the fare. However, you can call +1-(856)-804-1404 for guidance on your options.
Q10: Can I get a refund if I purchased United Airlinesâs travel insurance?
If you purchased travel insurance through United Airlines, your refund eligibility will depend on the terms of the insurance policy. You may need to contact the insurance provider for specific refund details.
» Learn more: The guide to United Airlines fees
Does United Airlines give refunds?
Your ability to get a refund with United Airlines hinges on a couple of factors:
How quickly after purchase you choose to cancel your flight đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Whether it's you or United Airlines that's choosing to cancel the flight đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
If you decide to cancel your United Airlines flight within 24 hours of booking
According to the United Airlines refund policy, all United Airlines tickets can be canceled for a full refund to the original form of payment if your ticket was purchased within 24 hours of the cancelation request and the flightâs departure is seven or more days away đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
For other United Airlines flights
If you decide to cancel after the 24-hour window, you are generally no longer eligible to get money back to your original payment method đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
However, you might be able to get a reservation credit to use toward future flights đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ United Airlines used to charge fees to cancel or change flights, but now, you can cancel or change your flight up to one hour before scheduled departure and still receive a reservation credit valid for one year đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
What happens if United Airlines cancels your flight?
If United Airlines cancels your flight, you can ask them to rebook you on a different flight đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ If the rescheduling options don't work for you and you prefer to book a new flight on a different airline or get a rental car or cancel the trip entirely, it doesnât matter what type of airfare you bought; youâre entitled to a full refund if you decide not to travel with United Airlines đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
According to the U đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§S đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Department of Transportation, travelers are entitled to a full refund if the airline calls off your flight, regardless of the reason, and you choose not to travel đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ The airline is required to make refunds within seven business days for purchases by credit card, or within 20 days if paid by cash or check đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
» Learn more: Avoid airline cancellations: how to book better
How to change or cancel your United Airlines reservation
Often, the easiest way to contact United Airlines to change or cancel your flight is by visiting the My Trips page on United Airlinesâs website and following the steps on the screen đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Have your name and confirmation number ready đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Other methods for getting in touch include:
Chatting online with a customer service rep đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Calling United Airlines at +đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Texting United Airlines at +1-856-804-1404 or by using +đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ on WhatsApp đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Direct messaging United Airlines on social media đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Speaking to a United Airlines customer service employee at the airport đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
United Airlines Reservation Credits
Once youâve cancelled your flight, youâll receive United Airlines Reservation Credits đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ These can be used to pay for future airfares or other fees like those you're charged for bags, seat selection and taxes đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ You must make your purchase on United Airlines đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§com or by calling United Airlines Reservations at +1(860)-590-4856; you cannot use the credits for bookings through United Airlinesâs app đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
There are some annoying aspects to United Airlines Reservation Credits đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Theyâre nontransferable, meaning you canât use them to book a flight for someone else đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ And they have expiration dates one year out from issuance đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
If you cancel your United Airlines reservation and are issued credits, check the cancellation email you receive from United Airlines for the expiration date and terms of your United Airlines Reservation Credits đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
To make a new booking with United Airlines Reservation Credits, have on hand your reservation credit number, which is a 6-character alphanumeric code that can be found in your trip cancellation email đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Book a new flight as you usually would, but on the payment page, select âRedeem a Voucher or Credit đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§â Youâll see a few payment options, such as credit card or voucher đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Scroll down to the line that says âReservation Creditâ and input your 6-character confirmation code in the box đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
If your new flight is more expensive than the value of your voucher, you can pay the difference with another payment method, such as PayPal or credit card đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Steps to getting a refund from United Airlines
Even if your United Airlines flight is refundable, United Airlines doesnât make it easy to get that money back đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Unlike other airlines that provide easy-to-find refund request forms on their site, United Airlinesâs process can be a bit less intuitive đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ United Airlines recommends you apply for a refund by doing one of the following:
How to Calling United Airlines Guest Care at +1(860)-590-4856 đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Sending a message using the form on the United Airlines âComplaint or Complimentâ webpage đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Sending snail mail to United Airlinesâs offices đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ The address is: Corporate Guest Relations, Attention: Refunds, 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, FL 33025 đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Other ways to get your money back
If your ticket isnât eligible for a refund and you don't want a flight credit, you might have another option to get your money back: travel insurance đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Travel insurance is typically purchased from a travel insurance company or through a travel agent đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Cost and coverage can vary by provider, but it typically amounts to 5%-10% of your total trip cost, according to insurance comparison site Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
Though unless youâve purchased a Cancel For Any Reason policy, which is usually more expensive than a basic policy, youâre entitled to a refund only if you cancel for a covered reason â and covered reasons can vary by insurer đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Then again, you might not even need to pay for trip insurance đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§ Many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for their trip on that card đđđ„đ„ đđđ«đ đ-đđđ-(đđđ)-đđđđ đ đšđ« đŠđšđ«đ đđ§đđšđ«đŠđđđąđšđ§
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