Jan 15, 2024, 10:16 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Related topic: Change Fees "Gone For Good"(WW ex-USA,non-BE), credit for lower fare!, BE waiver
United;s web page: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ng-policy.html
Uniteds 24-hour flexible booking policy
and Ticket refund policies - Booking service fees
April 2020
Previous wording - Dec 2019
Note: United refers to this as "Uniteds 24-hour flexible booking policy", not just cancellations. UA includes routing changes, pricing changes, fare class changes, ..... as well as simple cancellations. But the timeframe is based on the original purchases and not reset by a change. Only a cancellation and then separate rebooking would achieve that.
Reservation booking service fees and close-in booking fees for award tickets are refundable only if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of purchase. These sometimes may take an extra request.
Starting 2016Q4 ticket receipts state
The website link does now mention the 7 day restriction (new 2017Q2) and the CoCs has contained the 7 day restriction for awhile. This is allowed by the DoT rules. However, no reports yet of UA enforcing the 7 day restriction.
DOT 24 refund rule, announcement
76 Fed. Reg. 23110, 23166, Apr. 25, 2011
Further DOT Guidance on 24 hour rule
Note the present UA implementation in practice is more generous -- no 7 day limitation enforcement as of yet.
UA's 24 hour rule was in place long before the DOT requirement .
Note -- a changed ticket does not get a new 24-hour free cancel period -- that benefit only applies to the original purchase.
Does the 24 hour rule apply to award tickets?
Yes
Does the 24 hour rule apply to close in bookings?
Yes but cancellation must be done before scheduled departure.
While the policy revision in 2018 add the DOT allowed 7-day exemption, UA has generally allowed this and not enforced the 7-day exemption. There has been just one FT reported situation where the 7-day was enforced and it had other factors.
In the case of credit card purchases, on a cancellation, the credit charge may be left pending and never finalized. So in the end it is as if it never happen.
Basic Economy tickets -- are they projected by the 24 hour rule?
Yes, UA is allowing cancellation of BE tickets in the first 24 hour (consistent with DOT requirements. But as UA allows changes also of other fares in the first 24 hours, it will not allow that of BE . The distinction is minor but
Book a reservation with ETC but cancelled with 24 hours, will the ETC be refunded?
Yes it should but UA can be rather slow on this and occasionally will drop the ball. You may need to followup. Note the refunded ETC will have the same expiration as the original ETC. (So, not a way to extend the ETC
) -- Note in late 2020, UA's practice does seem to have changed to issuing NEW ETCs
Archive thread: Uniteds 24-hour cancellation / flexible booking policy ... {Archive}
United;s web page: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ng-policy.html
Uniteds 24-hour flexible booking policy
and Ticket refund policies - Booking service fees
April 2020
We know that life happens, and you may need to change your travel plans unexpectedly. United's 24-hour flexible booking policy gives you the freedom to make changes to select reservations within 24 hours of booking and ticketing, without being charged change fees if you made your purchase one week or more before the flight was scheduled to depart. This includes canceling your reservation and requesting a full refund of the ticket price. Although Basic Economy reservations arent eligible for changes within 24 hours, theyre still eligible for a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours and you made your purchase one week or more before the flight was scheduled to depart. Please view the terms and conditions below for more details.Terms and conditions
- Applies to tickets booked at united.com, United City Ticket Offices, airport ticket counters or with the United Customer Contact Center.
- The 24-hour timeframe begins at the time you book and ticket your reservation.
- Requests for refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment, except for purchases made with a United Gift Certificate, which will be credited back in the form of electronic travel certificates.
- Group tickets are subject to the terms of the group contract.
- Tickets purchased using e-certificates are excluded. (New April 2020)
- Reservations that are being held but have not yet been purchased are excluded.
- Any FareLock fees paid to hold a reservation will not be refunded.
United's 24-hour flexible booking policy allows the flexibility to make changes to select reservations within 24 hours of purchasing your ticket, without incurring change fees if you made your purchase one week or more prior to the original scheduled departure flight. This includes canceling your reservation and requesting a 100% refund of the ticket price. Although Basic Economy reservations are not eligible for changes within 24 hours, they are still eligible for a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours and you made your purchase one week or more prior to the original scheduled departure flight. Please view the terms and conditions below.
Terms and conditions
1. Applies to tickets booked at united.com or with the United Customer Contact Center.
2. The 24-hour timeframe begins at the time your ticket is purchased.
3. Requests for refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment, with the exception of purchases made with a United Gift Certificate, which will be credited back in the form of electronic travel certificates.
4. Group tickets and tickets purchased using Western Union, cash or e-certificates are excluded.
5. Reservations that are being held but have not yet been purchased are excluded.
6. Any FareLockSM fees paid to hold a reservation will not be refunded.
Terms and conditions
1. Applies to tickets booked at united.com or with the United Customer Contact Center.
2. The 24-hour timeframe begins at the time your ticket is purchased.
3. Requests for refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment, with the exception of purchases made with a United Gift Certificate, which will be credited back in the form of electronic travel certificates.
4. Group tickets and tickets purchased using Western Union, cash or e-certificates are excluded.
5. Reservations that are being held but have not yet been purchased are excluded.
6. Any FareLockSM fees paid to hold a reservation will not be refunded.
Note: United refers to this as "Uniteds 24-hour flexible booking policy", not just cancellations. UA includes routing changes, pricing changes, fare class changes, ..... as well as simple cancellations. But the timeframe is based on the original purchases and not reset by a change. Only a cancellation and then separate rebooking would achieve that.
Reservation booking service fees and close-in booking fees for award tickets are refundable only if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of purchase. These sometimes may take an extra request.
Starting 2016Q4 ticket receipts state
Refunds Within 24 Hours
When you book and ticket a reservation through united.com, the United mobile app, the United Customer Contact Center, at our ticket counters or city ticket offices, or if you use MileagePlus miles to book an award ticket, we will allow you to cancel the ticketed reservation without penalty and receive a 100 percent refund of the ticket price to the original form of payment if you cancel the reservation within 24 hours of purchase and if the reservation is made one week or more prior to scheduled flight departure.
When you book and ticket a reservation through united.com, the United mobile app, the United Customer Contact Center, at our ticket counters or city ticket offices, or if you use MileagePlus miles to book an award ticket, we will allow you to cancel the ticketed reservation without penalty and receive a 100 percent refund of the ticket price to the original form of payment if you cancel the reservation within 24 hours of purchase and if the reservation is made one week or more prior to scheduled flight departure.
DOT 24 refund rule, announcement
DOT requires airlines to either hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment or refund a paid ticket even a non-refundable one if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and you purchased your ticket more than 7 days before your flight.
Airlines are free to choose between holding a reservation without payment in these circumstances or refunding after payment; they dont have to offer both options. ...
Airlines are free to choose between holding a reservation without payment in these circumstances or refunding after payment; they dont have to offer both options. ...
Further DOT Guidance on 24 hour rule
Note the present UA implementation in practice is more generous -- no 7 day limitation enforcement as of yet.
UA's 24 hour rule was in place long before the DOT requirement .
Note -- a changed ticket does not get a new 24-hour free cancel period -- that benefit only applies to the original purchase.
Does the 24 hour rule apply to award tickets?
Yes
Does the 24 hour rule apply to close in bookings?
Yes but cancellation must be done before scheduled departure.
While the policy revision in 2018 add the DOT allowed 7-day exemption, UA has generally allowed this and not enforced the 7-day exemption. There has been just one FT reported situation where the 7-day was enforced and it had other factors.
In the case of credit card purchases, on a cancellation, the credit charge may be left pending and never finalized. So in the end it is as if it never happen.
Basic Economy tickets -- are they projected by the 24 hour rule?
Yes, UA is allowing cancellation of BE tickets in the first 24 hour (consistent with DOT requirements. But as UA allows changes also of other fares in the first 24 hours, it will not allow that of BE . The distinction is minor but
Book a reservation with ETC but cancelled with 24 hours, will the ETC be refunded?
Yes it should but UA can be rather slow on this and occasionally will drop the ball. You may need to followup. Note the refunded ETC will have the same expiration as the original ETC. (So, not a way to extend the ETC
) -- Note in late 2020, UA's practice does seem to have changed to issuing NEW ETCsArchive thread: Uniteds 24-hour cancellation / flexible booking policy ... {Archive}
Uniteds 24-hour cancellation / flexible booking policy ... {Archive}
Nov 1, 2012, 10:45 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: TK G,UA *S
Posts: 1,137
Good point. I forgot that PQM does not show up that soon after purchase.
Would I have any problems to get them in case I cancel this ticket?
Thanks
Would I have any problems to get them in case I cancel this ticket?
Thanks
Nov 1, 2012, 12:19 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
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Posts: 12,521
Jan 27, 2013, 10:39 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: TGU
Programs: Lm silver / MileagePlus / Aadvantage / Amex platinum / stargold points silver
Posts: 266
If I book a TA flight on united.com can I refund the ticket within 24 hours
I'm gonna purchase some TACA flights on united.com I am more a Copa flyer so sorry if you already have explain this in other post
I would like to know if I can refund without penalties if I book TACA flights on united web pages.
Which policies do apply if I wanna make some changes later on?
Who gets the money for this flights TACA or united? I'm so loyal to UA and CM bu they don't operate the route I wanna flight and ticket is costing the same at TACA.com and united.com
I would like to know if I can refund without penalties if I book TACA flights on united web pages.
Which policies do apply if I wanna make some changes later on?
Who gets the money for this flights TACA or united? I'm so loyal to UA and CM bu they don't operate the route I wanna flight and ticket is costing the same at TACA.com and united.com
Feb 12, 2013, 7:18 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,973
24hr Refund policy?
I thought United has a 24 hour policy where you refund a purchased ticket or change if within the first 24 hours of ticketing without penalties? Am I crazy or is this true?
Of course I just clicked purchase on the wrong date using their full month calendar view.
Of course I just clicked purchase on the wrong date using their full month calendar view.
Feb 12, 2013, 7:21 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,668
or you can call United Reservations and someone there will take care of it for you.
i prefer the online tool to have the paper trail (they send you a cancellation email) and also to avoid speaking with reservations agents.
do not try to change the booking, just cancel it and rebook it for the desired date. changing it might result in a fee.
Feb 12, 2013, 7:26 pm
#37
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
United's 24-hour flexible booking policy allows the flexibility to make changes to your reservations within 24 hours of purchasing your ticket, without incurring change fees. This includes canceling your reservation and requesting a 100% refund of the ticket price.
Terms and conditions
Applies to tickets booked at united.com or with United Reservations.
The 24-hour timeframe begins at the time your ticket is purchased.
Requests for refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment.
Group tickets and tickets purchased using Western Union, cash or e-certificates are excluded.
Reservations that are being held but have not yet been purchased are excluded.
Any FareLockSM fees paid to hold a reservation will not be refunded.
Terms and conditions
Applies to tickets booked at united.com or with United Reservations.
The 24-hour timeframe begins at the time your ticket is purchased.
Requests for refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment.
Group tickets and tickets purchased using Western Union, cash or e-certificates are excluded.
Reservations that are being held but have not yet been purchased are excluded.
Any FareLockSM fees paid to hold a reservation will not be refunded.
Feb 12, 2013, 7:37 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,973
Great thanks ^
Feb 20, 2013, 5:21 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 631
Fully refund ticket after SDC at < 24 hours after purchase?
Is it possible to cancel a ticket purchased less than 24 hours ago even if I have done a SDC or two on the itinerary? By cancel I of course mean without any fees, as would typically be the case for a purchase on .bomb.
Background: some of the EWR-HNL direct flights are much cheaper than those with an overnight layover in LAX, which I want. I would SDC to pick the last flight to LAX and take the first one to HNL. Then I would do a second SDC to move the late flight to LAX back to a more reasonable late-afternoon departure.
Background: some of the EWR-HNL direct flights are much cheaper than those with an overnight layover in LAX, which I want. I would SDC to pick the last flight to LAX and take the first one to HNL. Then I would do a second SDC to move the late flight to LAX back to a more reasonable late-afternoon departure.
Feb 20, 2013, 7:18 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
Yes, if you are still within the 24-hour window.
Feb 20, 2013, 8:16 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Background: some of the EWR-HNL direct flights are much cheaper than those with an overnight layover in LAX, which I want. I would SDC to pick the last flight to LAX and take the first one to HNL. Then I would do a second SDC to move the late flight to LAX back to a more reasonable late-afternoon departure.
Of course, that very well may be why you're asking about the refund potential.
Feb 21, 2013, 4:10 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 631
United 24 hour cancellation policy...
Yes. What's the easiest way to tell whether the fare rules permit a change to a layover?
Feb 21, 2013, 6:13 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
To reiterate, you may be able to do the SDC even if the rules technically don't permit it.
Mar 1, 2013, 12:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Does anything prevent online cancellation w/in 24 hours?
Within the magical 24-hour cancellation window, United.com seems to pretty consistently let you cancel for a full refund, as it should. I'm wondering whether there's anything that, once done, prevents that easy cancellation, such as checking in, SDC (without checking in), getting on a standby list, flight changes, etc. Any experiences would be much appreciated.
Obviously (I hope) cancellation should still be available by calling an agent even once this has happened.
It seems likely that there is a thread about this, but my quick search didn't find one with info from post-3/3.
Obviously (I hope) cancellation should still be available by calling an agent even once this has happened.
It seems likely that there is a thread about this, but my quick search didn't find one with info from post-3/3.
Mar 5, 2013, 11:51 am
#45
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,134
I booked a ticket on Friday, canceled over the phone w/ an agent on Saturday within the 24 hour timeframe, and booked a new ticket on Sat. The pending for both tickets went through yesterday. The agent said it could take 1-2 billing cycles for the credit to credit. Is that the norm, or is a week to 10 days more accurate? I could use the extra $1K from the ticket that was canceled. Also wondering if canceling via agent vs. online helped or hurt in terms of timing of refund process.
Cheers.
Cheers.