United Airlines Change Flight: Policy, Fee, Timeline Details
United Airlines Change Flight is an option that provides passengers with the option to change their flights. However, some conditions are applied, and only a few flights may incur a fee. However, changes in most of the flights are free of any cost.
They can choose a new flight through their official website or app. Flexible flights are mostly offered between the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Apart from the basic economy fliers, all are offered to change flights by United Airlines. They will have to either upgrade to upper tiers or cancel this flight and book a new one. Full refunds can be requested if the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of booking.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy Overview
United Airlines offers flight changes for both domestic and international flights, in which travelers can get a refund if they cancel their flight or receive travel credits. The United Airlines flight change policy clearly states a few things that every passenger should know before booking or changing their flight, as there are some conditions and eligibility requirements applied to it.
What does this policy state about United Airlines flight change?
To change a United Airlines flight, a flier must look up to these things:
- Basic Economy: Basic economy tickets cannot be changed and if passenger wants to change their flight, they will have to cancel their existing ticket and book a new one.
- Same Airport: The new booked flight must have the same arrival and departure airport as before.
- Timeline: The new booked flight must leave within 24 hours, whether before or after the original flight.
- Operator: The new flight must be operated by United or United Express.
- No Change Fee: There are no change fees applied to eligible flights within United States, Mexico City and the Caribbean.
- Fare Difference: If the passenger has a fare difference in the new booked flight, then the passenger will pay for it.
- 24-hour risk-free window: Travelers can easily change or cancel their flight within 24 hours without any charges. However, the flight must be booked at least 7 days before departure.
- Refund: Basic Economy passengers can get a full refund if they cancel the booked flight within 24 hours of booking.
- Travel Credits: If not refunded, they will surely be provided with the Travel Credits by United Airlines.
- Same Day Changes: United Premier members will be able to change to earlier same-day flight without any charge (depending on availability), however others will have to pay the fare difference, even if the same cabin is available.
- Changes Allowed: Travelers are allowed to make changes in their departure time, arrival time, or even in routes, but they will have to rebook the flight or request a refund.
How to Change a Flight on United Airlines?
There are many ways to change a United Airlines flight but the preferred option is changing it online through United Airlines’ official portal or app. Other than that travelers can also change their flights by contacting Customer care and even at the airport (for same day flight changes).
Step-by-step procedure for changing a United Airlines flight online:
Fliers can easily change their flights online by accessing the United Airlines App or website. It is the most convenient way, and no assistance is required while doing it.
Step 1. Open the United Airlines Website
Passengers can be required to open united.com and log in to their accounts.
Step 2. Manage the Trip
They will have to locate the trip that they want to change by navigating to the “MY TRIPS” section.
Step 3. Initiate the Change
Open the existing bookings and select the option “Change Flight”.
Step 4. Make the willing Changes
Travelers can make changes to their flight and select a new flight that should meet the criteria (same origin, destination, and takeoff within 24 hours of the original flight).
Step 5. Review and Pay the Fare Difference
After making the changes, check them thoroughly and submit. If there are fare difference, traveler will have to pay that.
Step 6. Confirmation
Once submitted, United Airlines will send a confirmation email with all the new information about the booked flight.
United Airlines Flight Change through Customer Support
Travelers who are not comfortable changing their flights through the website or app can directly contact United Airlines designated members to assist them. They can call 1-800-864-8331 for support. The assistant will ask some details about the original flight to make changes and provide options that are appropriate according to the United Airlines Flight Change Policy.
The service number is available 24/7, and passengers can call anytime to change their United Airlines flights.
United Airlines Flight Change Same Day at the Airport
Fliers can change their flight to an earlier flight on the same day at the airport; however, it’s subject to the availability of flights and seats. They can contact the United Airlines’ help desk to check the vacant seats. If there are any available seats, then the flyer can use them.
They can enroll in the standby list to increase their chances of getting an earlier flight on the same day as their scheduled departure. As soon as their names are added to the list, United Airlines will automatically assign them seats, if it is available.
Seats are generally assigned 30 minutes before domestic departure and 60 minutes before an international departure. Travelers can check their names on the screens near the boarding gates.
NOTE: Full names are not mentioned in the list. Only the first three letters of the last name and the Initial letter of the name are displayed on the screen.
United Airlines Flight Schedule Changes
United Airlines Flight schedule changes due to various reasons, which may include operational adjustments, weather conditions, or other valid reasons. Travelers are informed in advance if the flight schedule changes via email. They provide the flexibility to rebook their flights if the updated flight schedule doesn’t work for them. Here are certain things that passengers are required to know about United Airlines Schedule Changes.
- Notifications: The Airline will update the passenger about the upcoming changes through email or call. If the ticket is booked through a third party, then it’s their responsibility to inform the flier. Additionally, they can also check flight schedules or changes from “My Trips” section at United’s website or app.
- Rebook the Flight: If the flight’s schedule changes by more than 30 minutes, then fliers are eligible to book a new United or United Express flight for free. But the new flight must leave the same airport within 24 hours of the original timings of the flight.
- Refunds: If the flight schedule changes crucially or the airline cannot offer the same cabin, then passengers can claim a refund for their ticket.
United Airlines Change Flight Fee and Fare Difference
The United Airlines Change Flight Fee depends on the type of ticket the passenger is traveling on. The change fee is not imposed when they are traveling on certain routes, whether in Economy, Economy Plus, or premium cabin tickets. These routes include:
- Domestic Flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Flights between the United States and Mexico.
- Flights to and from the Caribbean.
- International flights that originate in the United States.
NOTE: Basic Economy travelers cannot make changes to their flights unless they uprgrade to Economy or any premium cabin.
Fare Differences
When travelers make changes and choose new flights, there is are high chance that the new ticket can be expensive than the previous one. That fare difference will be paid by the customer as there are no change fees applied, and they are changing flight for their reasons, so it will be imposed on them.
United Airlines Change Flight with Award Tickets
Yes, United Airlines allows passengers to make flight changes with award tickets (miles earned) without any change fee, but fare difference might be applicable. This applies to both domestic and international flights originating in the United States.
- Travelers can use their miles rewards to book and make United Airlines Flight changes to their tickets, including times, dates, and even the destination.
- MileagePlus membzers have unlimited access to seats on United flights. If the seat is available, then they can book it, even if that’s the last seat on the plane.
- If travelers cancels their flight ticket booked using miles within 24 hours then they will get the whole refund of miles or any taxes.
Tips for Hassle-Free United Airlines Flight Change
United Airlines Change Flight is a simple process that can be done in various ways according to passengers’ comfort. But these tips can help them have a stress-free process of flight change, irrespective of their destination and traveling class.
- Check Fare in Advance: Before changing the flight, do some research on available flights and their fares. Compare all the prices and choose wisely.
- Contact United Airlines: If someone is not comfortable changing their flight online on their own, then they can contact the United Airlines customer service center for assistance.
- Monitor Same Day Change Opportunities: Travelers can get themselves enrolled in the Standby list for better change options.
- Look for flexibility: Fliers should review their tickets to see if it is eligible for free changes or if any change fee is applicable.
- Keep track of schedules: Although United Airlines inform travelers if there are any schedule changes but it’s advised to check schedule before leaving for the airport.
Final Thoughts
United Airlines Change Flight provides passengers with the option to change their flights if there is an issue. They can choose a new flight instead of that one. However, there are some conditions and criteria applied to it. Travelers can stay stress-free as there are fees charged for United Airlines flight changes, but the fare difference will be paid by the flyer. If the delays or changes are made by the airline, then passengers can book a new flight for free or claim a refund.
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
Yes, you can make changes to your existing trips of United Airlines Flights.
To change a United Airlines Flight by phone, you can call 1-800-864-8331 to seek assistance from the United Airlines Staff.
You can change your flight through United Airlines’ official website from the “My Trips” section.
Yes, the fare difference between the original and the new flight will be paid by you.
There are no charges for the United Airlines Change Flight fee. It’s free of cost for most of the flights.
No, you cannot change your flight on a Basic Economy ticket. You will have to cancel your current ticket and book a new flight.
Yes, United Airlines does provide refunds if the cancel request is made within 24 hours of booking and when the changes are made by the airline due to operational or unforeseen reasons.
You can track the scheduled changes of flight through the United Airlines official portal or app.
Yes, you can use them to make changes and even pay the fare difference with them.
According to the Flight change policy of United Airlines, the new flight must have the same departure and arrival airports, leave within 24 hours of the original flight and must be a United airlines flight.
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