FlyerTalk Forums - Flex vs Unrestricted / Fully Refundable fare. What is/is not refundable, translation?

During the COVID period, change fees are waived for many tickets
Sept 2020 - Change Fees Are Gone For Good

Quote:

There won’t be any change fees if:
You’re traveling:

Within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
To other international destinations from the U.S.

You have these types of tickets:

Economy
Economy Plus®
United First®
United Business®*
United Premium PlusSM*

You can change Basic Economy and all other international travel without change fees if the ticket is issued by March 31, 2021.

UA's definitions -- in red added editorial comments

Quote:

Basic Economy (most restricted) ---- Our most restricted fare:Seat assigned prior to boarding
No group or family seating
No carry-on bag, just a personal item
Earn award miles only, no Premier® qualifying credit
Upgrades and Economy Plus® are not available
No refunds or changes

Economy ---- Our standard Economy fare:Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
Non-refundable -- fee to change*, credit toward future flight

Economy (flexible) ---- Our flexible Economy fare:Refundable fare; cancellation and change* fees may apply
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel

Economy (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted Economy fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel

First (lowest) ---- Our lowest fare in First:Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience
Non-refundable -- a fee to change*, credit toward a future flight

First (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted First fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees.
Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience

*Most change fees have been eliminated

Refundability
o Some tickets are refundable but with a change / cancellation fee
o In the fare rules, words like "CHANGES PERMITTED" or "CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED" indicate refundability

Note: For a ticket with multiple segments and different fares classes / fare rules, the most restrictive applies to the entire ticket. So a single non-refundable segment makes the entire ticket non-refundable.

related thread -- How to book a refundable ticket on UA