United Airlines change flight Policy: What you should know

Unexpected changes in plans bring on nervousness and stress if one does not know what to do next. Well, passengers with United Airlines do not really have to worry about it. With the complete information on United Airlines' change flight regulations, passengers can make changes easily and be less stressed. 

In this blog, you will get all the details about the United Airlines policy of change flight, including the process of flight change, its fees, the 24-hour window, the same-day standby process, and other flexibilities.

What is United Airlines' flight change policy? 

United Airlines' flight change policy accommodated the passengers in changing flights without bothering them in the process. This could include anything from changing a flight right after booking to even during the check-in window. However, the regulations may vary based on the fare option you have booked and the timing. Here are some important points you must know about this policy:

• Passengers can only change flights within the same Airlines. 
• The fees will vary depending on the type of your ticket. 
• A 24-hour risk-free flight change window is also available. 
• Passengers can make flight changes on the same day of departure. 
• Passengers have to pay the fare difference. 
• Airlines waive the change fees in case of severe illness and jury duty.
• Economy, Economy Plus, and Premium class tickets are refundable, and you don’t need to pay change fees.

24-hour risk-free flight change 

Following the regulation provided by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), United Airlines change flight policies and also offers a 24-hour risk-free window. 

• This option allows the passengers to change their flight within 24 hours of booking.
• That too without incurring any fees or additional charges.

They may have to pay a charge if the price of a new ticket is more than the original one, or if they choose to upgrade. 

Same-day flight change 

On making flight changes, United Airlines allows passengers to do so on the same day as the change of flight times. 

• This can only be done if the departure point and the arrival point are the same. 
• If passengers ask to be put on an early flight and there are no more seats, the airlines will put them on the standby list.
•  If the passenger needs to fly later, they can get a confirmed ticket if there is a seat available.
• No standby option is available for later flights. 

Award Ticket 

United Airlines has removed change fees for MileagePlus award tickets. Still, they have to pay the fare difference, if there is any. 

Stand-by flight change: 

If you want to take an early flight and are flying United, then standby could be the option to consider. This option is free and gets your name on a list for an earlier flight, subject to seat availability. The process is similar to other procedures. 

You can add yourself to the standby list via the app, the website, the airport kiosk, or the check-in counter. Open the flight reservation details and select the View flight option. Follow the onsite instructions to be added. Track your status once you're on the list through the app or on the screen near your gate. 

If the seat gets empty, you’ll receive the seat 30 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes before departure for international flights. Passengers are priortise based on premium status, Cabin, United Club Infinite CardSM, Presidential Plus Cardmembers, United Corporate Preferred user, United Chase Cardmembers with $25,000 in annual spending, and date and time of changes. 

How to change flights with United Airlines? 

Changing a flight with United has always been a very simple and convenient process. Passengers can change their flight by online and offline methods. Here is the process of changing: 

Online Process:

• Open the official website of United Airlines.
• Log in with the details in the My Trip section. 
• Sign in if you have registered before. 
• Search for the trip you want to make a change in.
• Click on edit and make changes to the flight. 
• Follow the instructions provided. 
• Check the details and confirm. 
• Make the required payment. 
• Complete the process.

Through the app:

• Open the mobile application of United Airlines.
• Log in with your details and check your booking. 
• Select the trip you want to change. 
• Select the new flight. 
• Confirm after verifying the information. 
• Make the payment required in the app. 
• After the payment is completed, you will get a notification confirming the flight change.

Offline Process:

• Contact customer service.
• Change flight: United's phone number is 1-800-864-8331.
• Connect through the IVR menu and speak to the agent. 
• Verify yourself by providing your details.
• They will check the details and provide you with available options. 
• Choose one as per your need, and confirm the schedule. 
• Make the payment for confirmation. 
• Your flight change process is complete. 

At the Airport:

• Arrive at the desk of United Airlines. 
• Share your concern with the representative. 
• Provide him with your details and booking information. 
• Request him for a flight change.
• He’ll check the seats and timing of your required flight and inform you. 
• Check the options and confirm as per your requirement.
• Make a payment to confirm your seat. 
• That representative will give you your boarding pass right away.

What is United Airlines' change flight fee? 

United's change flight fee regulations provide that no fee is applicable on refundable tickets. Here are United Airlines' change flight fee details: 

• Airlines waive the fees in cases such as severe illness or any court order.
• Passengers with non-refundable tickets must pay change fees.
• Basic economy passengers have non-refundable tickets and don’t have the option to change their flight. 
• For a flight change, passengers have to upgrade their ticket. 
• In case the ticket price is less, airlines will provide a travel credit or return it to the original mode of payment, depending on your fare type.
• Passengers traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands also don’t have to pay flight change fees. 
• Passengers making a same-day flight change have to pay a change fee on United of $50 to $75 and the fare difference. 
• Suppose the flight is rescheduled by the airlines by more than 30 minutes. Passengers can change to another United flight departing from the same airport for free. 

What if your flight gets rescheduled? 

United Air Change Flight regulations provide that if airlines change the flight schedule by more than 30 minutes, then they will provide the passengers with two options. 

• The passengers can ask to rebook their reservation on another United or United Express flight. 
• However, the flight must leave the airport within 24 hours from the same airport. 
• If there is no suitable flight, then they can ask for a full refund.