Refund request for nonrefundable tickets — unplanned event

United will refund change fees and tickets in certain cases. All requests must be received prior to the ticket’s expiration date and must be accompanied by proper documentation (see “Documentation requirements and processing” below). We will refund tickets only when the unplanned event prevents the use of that ticket within one year of the ticket’s date of issue. In all other instances, the fare can be credited toward future travel, though the customer may receive a refund for flight change fees (see “Change fee refunds” below).

If your refund request is approved, a refund, minus a $50 USD processing fee*, will be provided to the original form of payment.

This policy applies in the following cases:

Death of the traveler, traveling companion or immediate family member
Travelers in the reservation actively on jury duty during the dates of planned travel
Certain illness situations

Documentation requirements and processing

In cases of death: Refunds require a copy of the death certificate. If your change is due to the death of an immediate family member, the request must contain the family member’s name and relationship to you.

Illness situations: Change fee refunds require a letter (on letterhead) from a licensed physician confirming that travel was not recommended due to the customer's illness. Ticket refunds require a letter (on letterhead) from a licensed physician confirming that travel was not recommended within the validity of the ticket (one year of ticket’s issued date) due to illness. If the request is due to the illness of an immediate family member, the request must contain the family member’s name and relationship to you.

Jury duty refund requests: Refunds require a copy of the jury summons.

Send all refund requests to United Customer Refund Services for consideration. Requests directed through other departments (contact centers, airport staff, etc.) will be referred to Customer Refund Services.