United Airlines Flight Change Policy

Every plan takes quite a long time to execute, but it only takes a few minutes to get changed. When it comes to flight change due to something unexpected, the passenger goes through a hefty process. However, United Airlines takes care of its customers and provides a smooth flight change policy. The United flight change policy is far less arduous than any other airline.

If you want to implement last-minute changes to a ticket, you should go through this page for all the necessary United Change flight information.

What is United Airlines Change Flight Policy?

In accordance with United Airlines change flight policy, passengers may change or reschedule their flight when something unexpected occurs, resulting in its modification or rescheduling. The United change fee varies according to your fare type’s features. If the new flight is more expensive than the original, you must pay the difference in fare.

United Airlines Flight Change Policy Guidelines

Before you head for a flight change, there are some crucial considerations that you should look at:

  • A passenger can change a flight ticket without paying any fee within 24 hours of purchase.
  • You will not have to pay any flight change fee if your travel itinerary includes travel within the USA and Canada. However, this condition does not apply to the basic fare.
  • The travel credit remains valid for up to one year from the issue date.
  • Passengers can change the flight as many times as they want as long as they pay a fare difference every time. 
  • You shouldn’t book a new flight if your plans are hazy. Instead, you should choose a travel credit.
  • According to the United flight Change policy, you will get future credit for the difference if the new flight is less expensive.
  • If a passenger travels on an Award Ticket for an Economy Class or Premium Economy flight, there will be no United change fee provided the flight must originate from the USA.
  • There will be no standby fee if you go for an earlier flight on the same day.
  • The members of MileagePlus can reserve a seat on an earlier flight for free.
  • If the travel credit has been given on the flight booked through a travel agency, you must use the credit through the agency.
  • The flight change charges can apply to group flights booked with the airline’s group desk.
  • If you have written the incorrect alphabet in your ticket name, you can change your name on the United Airlines ticket. 

United Airlines 24 hours Flight Change Policy

Under the 24 hours flight change policy, a passenger can change the time, origin, destination, and travel day in the reservation. Here are the following points that you must consider before modifying the reservation:

  • The flight ticket you want to change must be operated by United Airlines.
  • There will be no United change fee if you have requested flight modifications within 24 hours of purchase. However, the fare difference may apply.
  • These conditions will not apply to basic economy tickets.

United Airlines Flight Change Policy for Different Fares

United Airlines has a global route network, making it one of the largest airlines in the world. Thus, the air transport industry has several ravishing services for frequent and new passengers. There are three fares offered by United Airlines; the Basic Economy Fare, the Non-refundable Fare, and the Refundable Fare.

The United Airlines flight change policy differs for all fares and MileagePlus Award Tickets. To understand how flight modification policies work for different United fares, please refer to the following guidelines.

United Flight Change Policy For Basic Economy Tickets

Passengers with basic economy tickets cannot alter their flight, even within 24 hours after booking. The best way out here is to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking (free) and then purchase a new ticket.

Alternatively, you can opt for e-credits under the United Airlines change fee of USD 49.50 per one-way domestic flight. For International flights, it would be USD 99.50.

United Airlines Change Flight For Non-Refundable Tickets

Latest United change flight policy allows non-refundable ticket holders to change their tickets without bearing any charges. However, paying the fare difference is inescapable under United change flight policy for existing flights.

For same-day flight change scenarios, there is a United change fee –

  • USD 75 for the general and silver-tier members.
  • Free of cost for Gold, Platinum, or 1K member.

United Airlines Change Policy for Refundable Tickets

There is no United change fee for rescheduling flights with refundable tickets. However, if you are shifting to a costlier ticket, paying the fare difference is lawful and unavoidable. Moreover, if your new flight is cheaper than before, the airline will either be refunded the fare difference to your original mode of payment or may convert it into e-credits for forthcoming uses. Although the refund and e credits plausibility completely depends on the ticket’s eligibility.

United Flight Change Policy & Fee for MileagePlus Award Tickets

For award tickets, you might be subject to charges depending on the time you revoke and your elite status. The United Change fee has now been eliminated for travels originating in the US within 30 days of flight departure. 

However, the United Airlines change fee for international award tickets (not originating in the US) is mentioned below –

  • $ 125 for General members.
  • $ 100 for Premier Silver members.
  • $ 75 for Premier Gold members.
  • $ 50 for Premier Platinum members.
  • $ 0 for Premier 1K members.

How to Change a United Airlines Flight?

According to the United Airlines change policy, a passenger has numerous methods to modify a flight ticket. The passenger can either opt for online or offline mode. Generally, the customer makes alterations to the air ticket when there are any changes in the plan. Let’s see how you can change the ticket at the last moment:

Method 1 – United Airlines Change Flight via Website

The online method is the most reliable way of making changes to flight reservations. Through this method, you can modify your flight ticket anywhere and anytime. You just need a reliable internet connection to open the official website of United Airlines. Here are the few steps you need to go along with:

  • First, go to United Airlines official site.
  • Second, put your six-digit reservation number and the customer’s last name. Click on the “Confirm” button to obtain the booking.
  • Third, choose the flight you want to change. Press on the “Change your Flight” section.
  • Fourth, press the “Continue” button.
  • Make sure that you finish the flight change process one hour before the scheduled departure time.
  • Lastly, you can make payments with a debit or credit card when the pay difference is huge.

Method 2 – United Airlines Flight Change via Contact Number

Under this method, a customer can directly contact the airline through a valid customer service number. You need to follow the below-mentioned steps to request for flight change:

  • First, connect with the flight change department of United Airlines at 800-864-8331.
  • Second, when you get connected with the airline representative, ask to change the flight.
  • Third, choose a new flight displayed on your screen by the agent. You can select one of the alternatives. Also, you must compare the United change fee and fare difference.
  • You can use debit and credit cards for making payments.
  • The United change flight process will end once the payment is successful. Later, you will receive an email about the change confirmation.

Method 3 – United Airlines Flight Change at Airport

If the above two methods have failed you, here is one more mode that you can use at your comfort. For this, you need to visit your departing airport. If you request a United same day flight change, you must finish the process one hour before the scheduled departure for domestic travel. In foreign travel, the process must be completed at least three hours before the scheduled departure. 

Here are the steps that you can follow to make a United Airlines ticket change by visiting the airport:

  • First, reach the airport and go to the registration desk of United Airlines.
  • Second, provide the airline representative with your six-digit number code or 13-digit e-ticket number. 
  • Third, ask for a change reservation and keep a close eye on the flight change policy linked to your ticket.
  • Fourth, the agent will ask you to choose a second flight from the available alternatives.
  • Sixth, if the fare difference is more significant, you can use a debit or credit card for payment. At the airport terminal, you can also have the option to pay in cash.
  • Lastly, the process will get completed after the successful payment. 

Note: If you find these methods complicated to process, you can connect with Flying Rules at +1-800-865- 1848. We will help you get through these methods more efficiently.

United Airlines Schedule Change Policy

United Airlines shares its flight schedule for up to 11 months before time with passengers. They make the necessary alterations after they release the schedule. Such modifications can be as follows:

  • Arrival or departure flight time
  • Changes in flight frequency
  • Addition and removal of routes
  • Modifications in aircraft type

When you are notified about the scheduling change two weeks before the last departure time, you can opt for the following United change flight options :

  • You can change your flight without paying any charges seven days before or after your scheduled departure date.
  • If the United Airlines rescheduling adjustments are not suitable for the traveler, he can request a complete refund from the airline.

If you want to look at the other flight possibilities, you must ascertain the following things:

  • The final and initial destination points must be the same as before.
  • If you have a connecting flight, you can pick a different stopover location.
  • The new flight route must be of United or its partner airlines.

Note: If the flight itinerary has been substantially modified, you can request a full refund. According to the United flight change policy, you can receive a reimbursement on the remaining ticket portion if the airline can’t place you in the cabin you paid for.

United Same Day Flight Change Policy

If you want to make changes to your flight on the same day you purchased the ticket, then you must check out the below points:

  • If you are a member of Premier Gold, Premier 1K, or Premier Platinum, there would not be any United change fee for the flight change.
  • The members of Premium Silver and MileagePlus will pay $75 for United same day flight change.
  • A passenger can make adjustments up to 24 hours from their scheduled departure. However, the ticket difference between the previous air ticket and the revised United airfare will be charged to you.
  • United same day flight change policy allows same-day adjustments for the previous departure point and destination. However, if you make route modifications, you will pay an amount.

United Airlines Flight Change Policy for COVID

Traveling has always come with intricacies. Unquestionably, this has made it even more challenging. To ease travel experiences, the airline has set some policies that flyers must follow before boarding.

Here are some points from the United flight ticket change policy for COVID-19 to better understand its terms and conditions.

  • Flyers must submit a Covid-19 test report that has been tested 48 hours before flight departure.
  • If the passenger has tested Covid positive or has any related symptoms, they are requested not to board for at least five days.
  • Passengers have to use sanitizer every hour and wear masks all the time.
  • Passengers are requested to maintain social distancing and avoid getting physically contacted with other passengers.
  • If your flight is delayed or canceled, flyers can get a full refund and postpone their flight without paying any charges.

Types of Flight Change at United Airlines

United Airlines flight change policy allows a passenger to alter a ticket. You can modify the flight ticket irrespective of the cabin booked and the fare type. There is not just one type of alteration that a customer makes. Look at the following changes you can make to the flight ticket:

United Airlines Flight Change in Reservation Date

If you want to change your reservation date on the United ticket, you can easily do it by following the flight change policy. A passenger requests a date change if something has come up at the last moment. Owing to United’s flight modification policy, you can make as many modifications as you need. Under this, you can alter your flight date up to 11 months before the previously booked date. 

United Airlines Flight Seat Change

If you are a United Airlines passenger, you can make seat changes also. Under the United Airlines ticket change, you can upgrade your seats in many ways. However, you cannot upgrade seats on a basic economy ticket. You can purchase a ticket for a different class by paying some extra amount. 

United Airlines Flight Change to a New Location

If the traveler has chosen the wrong destination by mistake, he can change the flight ticket to a new location. According to United Airlines change policy, you can modify the origin or destination without paying any amount. It enables customers to make a new trip to a different destination one hour before the departure period. 

Note: United provides a 5% reduction on the cost of changing travel time, dates, or location due to death or severe illness. 

United Airlines Standby Policy for Flight Change

Comprehending United Airlines standby policy for flight change is pretty straightforward. Passengers who missed their scheduled flight are allowed to board the next available flight. To leverage this policy, flyers are requested to arrive at least two hours prior to departure. Also, you might wait for several hours until you get a seat on an earlier or later flight.

United Airlines Flight Change Fee

A passenger cannot alter the ticket without paying an amount. There is a fixed amount that a customer should pay, subject to a few conditions. Here is a breakdown of United Airlines change fees for all types of tickets and classes of service:

Flight Fare Type

Flight Change Fee

Basic Economy Fare

Subject to conditions: $49.50 per one-way domestic flight and $99.50 per one-way international flight

Non-refundable fare

Not Applicable

Refundable fare

$100 each way

Award fare

$60 each flight segment

How to Speak with a Live Agent for United Airlines Change Flight? 

United Airlines has top-notch customer services where its live representatives can assist you with various parts of your reservation. Thus, to make your voyage even more leisurely and more delightful, you should take advantage of the support team of the airline associated with your reservation.

To speak to the live agent, you have to dial the official United Airlines phone number 1 (800) 864-8331. Any queries related to flight changes, refunds, new reservations, and cancelations can easily be straightened out.

Please note that if the above number is unavailable due to insufficient connectivity, you may contact supplementary United Airlines change flight phone number +1-(888)-217-8521.

Frequently Asked Questions

The airline offers numerous methods to alter the flight ticket. You can use the official website, call on customer service numbers, and visit the airport.

Yes. You can adjust your travel time free of cost if you pay the ticket difference.

If you are a Premier Silver, Platinum 1K, Premier Gold, and Global services elite member, you don’t need to pay the additional cost. However, non-elite passengers must pay a $75 fee.

In accordance with the United Change Flight rules, a passenger can modify the flight arrival or departure time, add or remove routes, and change the aircraft type.

Yes. United flight change policy allows you to visit the United Airlines website and follow the onscreen instructions to make necessary changes to your ticket.

A passenger may pay $49.50 for one-way domestic flights and $99.50 for one-way international tickets in case of basic economy fare. If you have refundable and award tickets, it would be $100 and $60 each way.

The United Airlines 24 hours flight change policy allows a customer to change the travel time, date, origin, and destination within 24 hours.

You have two choices to speak with a United Airlines agent about changing your flight: call or chat with them. You can find both numbers by visiting United Airlines’ official website. Additionally, if the staff are unable to reach you for any cause, call a further number at +1-(888)-217-8521 for a quick resolution.

United change flight policy doesn’t allow basic economy tickets for any modifications. However, the same-day standby option is available for travelers. To know about this, call the experts at +1-(888)-217-8521.

For a free United Airlines change flight, passengers can request to change the flight within 24 hours of booking.

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