Originally Posted by jsloan

United Cares is separate from UK.261 / EC.261 compensation. To receive UK.261, contact UA directly, not through the United Cares site. See guidance here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...st-united.html

You should also be eligible for the United Cares compensation, as a customer service gesture above and beyond what the law requires. However, most people suggest (and I concur) that it's best to wait until after taking care of the UK.261 filing to accept United Cares, lest UA try to claim that you accepted that in lieu of the larger amount, despite the fact that no-one in their right mind would do so.