United Airlines Flight Change Policy 2026

Last reviewed 2 October 2026 against United Airlines' published rules.

Reviewed by Jack Martin, Senior Process Associate at AirFiesta. About AirFiesta

Under the United Airlines flight change policy, there is no change fee on Economy, Economy Plus and premium cabin tickets for domestic flights, flights between the US and Mexico or the Caribbean, and international trips that start in the US. You pay only the fare difference. Basic Economy cannot be changed unless you switch to Economy first, but you can cancel it for a full refund within 24 hours of booking if you booked at least a week before departure.

Quick facts (as of 2 October 2026)

Change fee: None on Economy, Economy Plus and premium cabins for domestic, US-Mexico, US-Caribbean and US-origin international tickets. Fare difference applies.
Basic Economy: Cannot be changed unless you switch to Economy first. Cancel free within 24 hours if booked a week or more ahead.
24-hour rule: Full refund within 24 hours of booking, one week or more before departure. All flights and all passengers must be cancelled.
Same-day options: Standby is free. A confirmed same-day change has been reported around $75, free for Premier members.
Refund timing: 7 business days to a credit card, 20 business days for other payment methods.
Schedule change: A refund is available if United changes your flight by 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international) and you choose not to travel.

Booked directly with United?

United manages your ticket. Change it yourself in My Trips on united.com or in the United app, using your confirmation number and last name.

Go to United Airlines

Booked with AirFiesta?

If AirFiesta issued your ticket, we sort out the change with United for you. Our service fee is US$10 per passenger, on top of any airline fee or fare difference.

Bought your ticket somewhere else? That agency or site services it, refunds included, so start with them.

United Airlines change rules by fare type

Two things decide how the United Airlines flight change policy applies to your ticket: the fare you bought and where the trip begins. Your fare type appears in your booking details. Here are the options, tightest first:

Basic Economy
Cannot be changed unless you switch to Economy or a premium cabin first. Full refund if cancelled within 24 hours (booked a week or more ahead). Same-day standby is available.
Economy & Economy Plus
No change fee on domestic, US–Mexico, US–Caribbean and US-origin international trips. You pay any fare difference. Nonrefundable fares cancel to credit.
Premium cabins
Premium Plus, Business and First follow the same no-change-fee rule on the same routes, plus any fare difference.
Award tickets
Listed under United's no-change-fee rules. Miles are generally redeposited if you cancel before travel.
Refundable fares
Can be changed under the no-change-fee rules and cancelled for money back to the original form of payment.

International trips that do not start in the US can be changed, but change fees still apply.

United Airlines change fee: what it costs

United has dropped its change fee for most tickets starting in the US, yet a few cases still cost money or are blocked outright. Find your situation in the table below.

United Airlines change costs by situation
Situation	Cost	Key condition
Change in advance: Economy and above, US-origin routes	$0 + fare difference	Domestic, US–Mexico, US–Caribbean, international from the US
International trip not starting in the US	Fee applies	Amount set by the ticket's fare rules
Basic Economy cancel within 24 hours	Full refund	Booked a week or more ahead; all flights, all passengers
Basic Economy change after 24 hours	Not allowed	Switch to Economy first, if offered
Basic Economy cancel after 24 hours	Partial credit	Net of a cancellation fee shown before you confirm
Same-day confirmed change	Fee may apply	Reported around $75; Premier members may get it free
Same-day standby	$0	Same airports; no guaranteed seat
Award ticket change	$0	A no-show has been reported to cost $125 to redeposit miles

Amounts are in US dollars and may change. The United change screen shows the final figure before you pay.

Fare difference and what you really pay

A waived change fee does not make every change free. What you may still owe is the fare difference: the new flights' price today minus what you paid. A higher price means you pay the gap. United shows what happens to any leftover value on the change screen before you confirm, so read it instead of assuming cash comes back.

Example (illustrative fares): You paid $280 for an Economy return from Chicago to Denver and want to move the return by two days.

If the new return makes the trip $310, you pay $30 and no change fee. On Basic Economy you could not make this change without switching to Economy first.

United Airlines 24-hour rule

United calls it the 24-hour booking policy. You can cancel within 24 hours of buying your ticket for a full refund with no fee, as long as you booked at least one week before departure. It applies to Basic Economy and to miles bookings, where the miles are returned. Two conditions catch people out. The clock starts when you book and ticket the reservation, and you must cancel all flights for all passengers, because partial cancellations are not eligible.

United Airlines Basic Economy change rules

The low price of Basic Economy comes with tight limits. United says you cannot change it unless you upgrade to Economy or a premium cabin first. The usual route is the optional Switch to Economy offer, which appears after booking under Trip details on united.com or Reservation details in the app, if it is available for your flight. The price varies, so you only see it after you book. After the first 24 hours, cancelling a Basic Economy ticket returns only part of the value as credit, net of a cancellation fee, and United shows the figure before you confirm. If your plans are uncertain, compare the cost of Economy with the risk of a ticket you cannot change.

Change a United Airlines flight date or time

To change a United Airlines flight on an eligible fare, sign in to united.com or the app, open My Trips and choose to change your flight. You can pick new flights and dates, subject to availability, and the screen shows any fare difference before you pay. For most travellers this is the simplest form of United Airlines rebooking. Changes should be made before your flight departs.

United Airlines same day change and standby

If you only need a different flight around the same time, a same-day option is faster than rebooking. United lets you request another flight within 24 hours of your original flight, using the same departure and arrival airports, on a flight operated by United or United Express. MileagePlus Premier members may be able to take another flight for free, and a price difference can apply if your original class is not available.

Confirmed change or standby?

A confirmed change guarantees your seat on the new flight, and a fee may apply for customers without Premier status; a fee of around $75 has been reported, so check the United app for the exact amount. Standby is free and open to any customer, including Basic Economy, but it guarantees nothing: you stay on your original flight until a seat is confirmed on the other one. Basic Economy tickets are limited to standby and cannot take a confirmed same-day change.

Change your destination or airport

On tickets that can be changed, you can choose different flights and routes, and you pay any fare difference. Same-day changes and standby must keep the same departure and arrival airports. Basic Economy tickets cannot be changed until you switch to Economy. If an international trip moves to a different country, recheck that country's entry and visa requirements.

United Airlines name change and corrections

Handing a United ticket to someone else is generally not allowed, so a different traveller normally means a new booking. That is the United Airlines name change rule in practice. Small spelling slips can usually be fixed through United or the issuing agency. Sort out any mismatch early, since the name has to match the ID you present at check-in.

Cancel a United Airlines flight for credit or refund

To cancel a United Airlines flight, open My Trips, choose to cancel and confirm. United then shows the options your ticket qualifies for, which can be a travel credit, a refund, or both. Nonrefundable fares generally come back as credit unless you cancel inside the 24-hour window or United changes or cancels your flight. Refunds go to the original form of payment, with published processing times of 7 business days for credit cards and 20 business days for everything else. If you booked through an agency, the refund goes through the agency.

United Airlines missed flight: what to do

A missed flight and a cancelled flight are treated very differently, and only one of them can leave your ticket with some value. Skip both the change and the cancellation before departure and the ticket may lose its value. Running late? Move quickly, because your options shrink once the flight has gone.

If your flight has not left yet

Change or cancel in My Trips right away on united.com or in the United app. Cancelling before departure is better than a no-show, because United then shows the credit or refund your ticket qualifies for.
Check same-day options. United lets you ask for another flight within 24 hours of your original flight, with the same departure and arrival airports, on a flight operated by United or United Express. MileagePlus Premier members may get it free, and a fare difference can apply.
Try standby. Standby is free and open to any customer, including Basic Economy, but it does not guarantee a seat. You stay on your original flight until a seat is confirmed on the other one.
Reach out sooner rather than later. Contact United or whoever issued the ticket. AirFiesta customers can call or message us before departure.

If your flight has already left

Get in touch with United or your agency immediately and ask what can still be salvaged. What is possible depends on the fare and why you missed the flight, and no outcome is guaranteed. On an award ticket, a no-show has been reported to cost a flat $125 to redeposit your miles.

If United caused the problem

Missing a flight because United delayed or cancelled a flight is treated differently from arriving late yourself. If United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change (3 hours on a domestic flight, 6 hours on an international flight) and you choose not to travel, United says you can get a refund. Speak to United's airport team immediately, and see United's page on missed, delayed or cancelled flights for the rebooking options.

If United changes or cancels your flight

If you do not travel because of a significant schedule change or a cancellation, United says you can get a refund. It defines a significant schedule change as 3 hours on a domestic flight and 6 hours on an international flight. If you accept the new flight and travel, the refund question closes, so decide before you accept. United's page on missed, delayed or cancelled flights covers the rebooking side.

Five costly mistakes to avoid

Assuming Basic Economy can be changed. It cannot unless you switch to Economy first.
Cancelling only one passenger inside 24 hours. Partial cancellations are not eligible for the full refund.
Booking less than a week out and relying on the 24-hour rule. It needs a week or more before departure.
Not showing up. A no-show can wipe out the ticket; change or cancel first.
Assuming a waived change fee means a free change. The fare difference still applies.

How to change your United Airlines flight

Change your flight online

Go to united.com or open the United app and find your trip in My Trips, or with your confirmation number and last name.
Select the option to change your flight.
Choose new flights and review any fare difference.
Confirm the change and look for the updated itinerary in your inbox.

If you booked with AirFiesta

Use the at the bottom of the page, or email support@airfiesta.com with your AirFiesta booking reference.
Our team reads your fare rules and sends back your options, listing United's fee, any fare difference and our US$10 per passenger service fee as separate lines.
After you approve, we complete the change and send the new itinerary by email.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my United Airlines flight for free?

Usually yes. United charges no change fee on Economy, Economy Plus and premium cabin tickets for domestic flights, flights between the US and Mexico or the Caribbean, and international flights that start in the US. If the new flight costs more, the fare difference is all you pay. Basic Economy is the exception because it cannot be changed unless you switch to Economy or a premium cabin first.

Does United Airlines charge a change fee?

Not on most tickets that start in the US. International flights that do not start in the US can be changed, but change fees still apply under the fare rules of the ticket. A waived change fee does not mean the change is always free, because any fare difference is still charged.

Can I change a United Basic Economy ticket?

Not directly. United says you cannot change a Basic Economy flight unless you upgrade to Economy or a premium cabin first. Within 24 hours of booking you can cancel it for a full refund if you booked at least one week before departure. Same-day standby is also available.

What is United's Switch to Economy option?

It is an optional paid upgrade that turns a Basic Economy ticket into a regular Economy ticket, which then allows changes. The price varies by flight and the offer is not always available. If it is offered, it appears after booking under Trip details on united.com or Reservation details in the United app.

What is the United Airlines 24-hour rule?

You can cancel within 24 hours of buying your ticket for a full refund with no fee, as long as you booked at least one week before departure. It covers Basic Economy and miles bookings too. You must cancel all flights for all passengers on the reservation.

Can I cancel just one passenger or one flight under the 24-hour rule?

No. United states that partial cancellations are not eligible for the 24-hour booking policy. The refund applies only when you cancel every flight for every passenger on the reservation.

How do I change my United Airlines flight online?

Sign in to united.com or the United app, open My Trips, or find your booking with your confirmation number and last name. Choose to change your flight, pick new flights, review any fare difference, and confirm. Check your email for the updated itinerary.

How much is a United same-day flight change?

United lets you ask for another flight on the same route within 24 hours of your original flight, and MileagePlus Premier members may get it free. For other customers a fee has been reported at about $75, and a fare difference can apply. Check the exact amount in the United app before you confirm.

What is the United Airlines standby policy?

Standby lets you try for another flight with the same departure and arrival airports without paying a fee. It does not guarantee a seat. You stay booked on your original flight until a seat is confirmed on the standby flight, and Basic Economy tickets can use standby.

Can I change a United international flight that doesn't start in the US?

Yes, but change fees still apply on those tickets. The amount depends on the fare rules of the ticket you hold and is shown before you pay. Flights that start in the US are covered by the no-change-fee rules for Economy and above.

Can I make a United Airlines MileagePlus change to an award ticket?

Yes. United's published policy lists award travel under its no-change-fee rules. If you cancel an award before travel, miles are generally redeposited with no fee, while a no-show has been reported to cost a flat $125 to redeposit.

Can I change the name on a United Airlines ticket?

United generally does not allow a ticket to be transferred to another traveller. Small spelling errors can usually be fixed via United or the issuing agency, and the name has to match your passport or ID. Confirm the options before you pay for a new ticket.

Do I get a refund or a travel credit when I cancel with United?

When you confirm a cancellation, United shows the options your ticket qualifies for, which can be a travel credit, a refund, or both. Refunds go to the original form of payment. Nonrefundable fares usually come back as credit unless you are inside the 24-hour window or United changes or cancels your flight.

How long does a United refund take?

United publishes processing times of 7 business days for credit card refunds and 20 business days for all other refunds, counted from the request. Your bank may add its own posting time.

What counts as a significant schedule change at United?

United says that if you do not travel because of a significant schedule change or a cancellation, you can get a refund. It defines a significant change as 3 hours on a domestic flight and 6 hours on an international flight.

What is the United Airlines no-show policy?

If you do not change or cancel before departure, the ticket may lose its value. Get in touch with United or your agency as early as you can, ideally before the flight leaves. Cancelling ahead of time beats a no-show.

Can I get a refund if I miss my United flight?

Generally no. If you do not change or cancel before departure, a nonrefundable ticket may lose its value. A refund may be possible if United caused the problem, for example by cancelling your flight or making a significant schedule change (3 hours domestic, 6 hours international) and you choose not to travel. Where possible, cancel before the flight leaves.

Can I change my United airport or destination?

On tickets that can be changed, you can choose different flights, dates and routes, and you pay any fare difference. Same-day changes and standby must keep the same departure and arrival airports. Basic Economy cannot be changed until you switch to Economy.

I booked through a travel agent. Who changes my United ticket?

Refunds for agency bookings go back to the form of payment the agency used and are handled by the agency. Change requests also run through the agency that issued the ticket. AirFiesta bookings are handled by our own team.

Can I change a United Money + Miles booking?

No. United says a Money + Miles ticket cannot be changed, but it can be cancelled for a full refund within the 24-hour booking policy.

Should I pay extra to avoid Basic Economy if my plans might change?

Often, yes. Basic Economy cannot be changed and cancelling after 24 hours returns only part of the value, while Economy and above can be changed with no change fee on most US-origin routes. Compare the fare gap with the cost of a ticket you may not be able to use.

Is there a fare difference when I change a United flight?

Yes, if the new flight costs more than your original fare you pay the difference. Where a change fee is waived, the fare difference still applies. United shows the amount on the change screen before you confirm.

How do I cancel a United Airlines flight?

Sign in to united.com or the United app, open My Trips, choose to cancel and confirm. United then shows whether your ticket qualifies for a travel credit, a refund or both. Cancelling inside the 24-hour window, with a departure at least a week away, returns a full refund.

What is the United Airlines cancellation policy?

You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least a week away, and you must cancel every flight for every passenger. After that, nonrefundable fares generally come back as credit, refundable fares as money, and Basic Economy as partial credit net of a cancellation fee.

What is the United Airlines refund policy?

Refunds go to the original form of payment, with published processing times of 7 business days for credit cards and 20 business days for other methods. If you booked through an agency, the refund goes through the agency. A refund is also available if United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change and you choose not to travel.

How do I manage my United Airlines booking in My Trips?

Sign in to united.com or the United app and open My Trips, or look up your booking with the confirmation number and last name. From there you can change flights, cancel, see Switch to Economy if it is offered, and check your itinerary.

How does a United Airlines travel credit work?

When you cancel, United shows whether you receive a travel credit. The credit carries its own terms, including how long it is valid and how it can be used, so read them on the cancellation screen and keep the confirmation email.

Can I change my United Airlines flight by phone?

Yes, United's customer contact centre can change a booking, although using the website or app is usually quicker. If you booked with AirFiesta, call or message us and we will arrange the change with United.

Can I change only my United Airlines return flight?

On eligible fares you can choose new flights in My Trips, and the screen shows any fare difference before you pay. Basic Economy has to be switched to Economy first.

Can I change my United Airlines flight date after booking?

Yes. On Economy, Economy Plus and premium cabin tickets starting in the US, you can change your United Airlines flight date before departure with no change fee, and you pay only any fare difference.

What if my United Airlines flight is delayed or cancelled?

If United cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, 3 hours on a domestic flight or 6 hours on an international one, and you decide not to travel, you can get a refund. United's page on missed, delayed or cancelled flights covers the rebooking options.