☰
Blog Banner
Divider

Is United Airlines Change Flight Option Easy to Use?

Is United Airlines Change Flight Option Easy To Use?

united airlines change flight

While making a reservation, no one ever does it with the thought of changing it later on, but plan changes come silently. The United Airlines flight change policy is designed to empower customers to change their itinerary if situations arise that were not planned. If the date change happened by mistake, the most suitable flight was found, or the desire was just to have more options, knowing your online flight change can make the entire procedure less nerve-wracking.

24-hour cancellation rule, same-day changes, and standby options are some of the ways that airlines provide to change your plans. Getting familiar with these policies in advance can be a great help for you in terms of saving both time and money.

What are the United Airlines Flight Change Regulations? 

The regulation of United's change flight depends on the fare option passengers have booked and the time of flight change. United airlines flight change policy gives us some simple regulations: 

  • Charges will apply for changing non-refundable tickets.
  • Same-day and standby flight change options come with charges 
  • The changes can be made through different modes. 
  • The fare difference must be paid in every case. 
  • Airlines will credit the extra ticket value in the miles account. 
  • The regulations are different for various fare options 

24-Hour Cancellation Policy

  • In case you're having second thoughts immediately after making the reservation, there's an opportunity to cancel or alter your booking without incurring any charges within 24 hours.
  • This is true only if the flight ticket was booked not less than 7 days prior to departure.
  • A complete refund via the original payment method will be made to you.
  • This option is available for every fare option. 
  • The booking must be made through a website or an app. 

How to change a flight? 

Several ways can be used for United Airlines flight change, one of which could be to choose the method that is variable method. Read the flight change process:

Online:

  1. Go to United.com
  2. Click My Trips
  3. Enter your Confirmation number and Last name
  4. Select your trip, then click Change flight
  5. Choose what you want to change
  6. Browse the new flight options shown
  7. Review the price
  8. Select your new flight and click Continue
  9. Confirm passenger details and payment (if required)
  10. Click Confirm change
  11. Save your new confirmation details and check for the updated email receipt

Mobile App: 

  1. Open the United app
  2. Log in to my trip 
  3. Select your booking
  4. Tap Change flight
  5. Pick your new flight option
  6. Review the cost or credit
  7. Tap Confirm
  8. Screenshot or save your updated itinerary

Same-Day Flight Change:

  1. Open the United app or go to My Trips
  2. Select your flight on the day of travel
  3. Look for Same-day change or Standby
  4. Choose an available flight (same route)
  5. Confirm and pay if needed
  6. Check your boarding pass again (it may update)

Phone 

  1. Call United Airlines Reservations
  2. Provide:
    • Confirmation number
    • Passenger name
    • Flight date/route
  3. Tell the agent what you want to change
  4. Ask them to check:
    • Fare difference
    • Any change restrictions on your ticket
  5. Pay the difference (if any)
  6. Ask for the updated itinerary email

What are the Regulations of same-day and stand-by? 

Flight change same-day

  • Passengers can change a flight on the day of departure with United Airlines. 
  • The flight arrival and departure points must be the same
  • The flight must be departing on the same day, earlier, or later than the same flight.
  • Only if a seat is available on the new flight.
  • There are types of tickets that may affect your fare difference and lead you to pay it.
  • Elite members and first-class passengers usually have no same-day changes for free or at a discounted rate.
  • In general, the changes have to be made within 24 hours of the scheduled time of departure of the original flight.
  • You can change to a flight that is departing soon. 
  • This option is usually preferable for cities with multiple flight services. 

Standby Option

  • The standby option allows you to try for an earlier flight on the same day without having a confirmed seat.
  • Only if there is a vacant seat available before the flight departure, then will you be allowed to board. 
  • The criteria for boarding order are ticket type, loyalty status, and check-in time, among others. 
  • Often, standby travel comes at no cost or only a minimal cost. 
  • Because you won't have an assured seat, waiting at the gate until the boarding process starts might be necessary for you.

What are the fare-based regulations? 

Scenario

Within 24 Hours of Booking

After 24 Hours of Booking

Any ticket type (including Basic Economy)

No change fee applies

Rules depend on fare type

Refundable tickets

Full refund to original payment method

No change fee applies

Non-refundable tickets

Full refund allowed

Fare difference may apply

Basic Economy tickets

Changes allowed

Changes not allowed (upgrade required)

New flight costs more

Pay fare difference only

Pay fare difference (and fee if applicable)

New flight costs less

Full refund to original payment method

Travel credit issued (fare-type dependent)

Severe illness or court order

Change fees waived

Change fees waived

Travel to Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands

No change fee

No change fee

Same-day flight change

Not applicable

$50–$75 plus fare difference

Airline reschedules flight (30+ minutes)

Free change to another United flight

Free change to another United flight

What if airlines change the flight? 

  • In the case where United Airlines changes your flight , the airline typically provides the passengers with an array of flexible options free of charge. 
  • If the change in flight schedule is 30 minutes or above, you would have the option to get another United or United Express flight from the same airport that usually leaves within 24 hours of the original time. 
  • The airline will not collect any change fees or fare differences when the changes are initiated from their end. 
  • If the new schedule is inconvenient and no other option is suitable, they may ask for a complete refund, including the non-refundable or Basic Economy tickets. 
  • United informs customers via email, SMS, or mobile application notifications, and it is very convenient to handle the changes through the My Trips section.

Conclusion

United Airlines' change flight policy is very straightforward. Read the fare rules and start making changes, regulations that are also affected by the time of cancellation. The fees for change depend on many factors. Modifications can be made on the day of booking and are free of charge. Changes made on the day of departure come with charges and regulations. Read the policy properly before you start the change process. 

 

Related Post: 

How to change jetblue flight after check in?

Can you change your spirit flight without extra charge?

Frequently Asked Questions