Feb 8, 2024, 11:40 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Consolidated "Refunds/Cancellations Due to Illness/Death" Thread [Merged]
The refund process
1) You cancel the trip prior to day of departure. You will receive a notice of cancellation and nothing else.
2) You have 1 year from the original purchase date to reschedule travel (the new trip has to start within that one year period). The new travel must be in the same name as the original ticket. Keep the record locator (PNR) and e-ticket number to reference when rescheduling. (This will be a FFC)
3)At the time of rescheduling you will need to paid in full with new money the change fee. You will be able to apply the full purchase price of the original trip toward the new trip. The rescheduling /credit is handled by modifying the canceled record (not by start a brand new reservation and applying a credit).
4) If the new trip is less expensive, you will receive an e-voucher good for future travel. The e-voucher is good for 1 year from when it was issued and can be used by anyone.
5)After paying the full change fee, If requesting a refund, you need to applied to UA for a medical waiver (E-Ticket refund). When applying for the refund you will need to provide documentation (there is a method for uploading documents)In the case of relative or traveling companion's death: Please provide a death certificate.
If you are sick: Please provide a doctors note advising you not to fly.
If you have an immediate family who is sick: Please provide the name, address and telephone number of the hospital where they are admitted and the name of their doctor.
If you have jury duty: Please provide a copy of your jury duty notice.
If approved, our change fee will be refunded minus a $50 processing charge.
Note: If the medical certification forbids travel in the one year period, a full refund to original method of payment (versus e-voucher) is possible.There will see be a $50 processing fee.
United Airlines drops $50 fee for hardship refunds Nov 2015
From UA's Contract of Carriage {13 Dec 2013}
The refund process
1) You cancel the trip prior to day of departure. You will receive a notice of cancellation and nothing else.
2) You have 1 year from the original purchase date to reschedule travel (the new trip has to start within that one year period). The new travel must be in the same name as the original ticket. Keep the record locator (PNR) and e-ticket number to reference when rescheduling. (This will be a FFC)
3)
4) If the new trip is less expensive, you will receive an e-voucher good for future travel. The e-voucher is good for 1 year from when it was issued and can be used by anyone.
5)
If you are sick: Please provide a doctors note advising you not to fly.
If you have an immediate family who is sick: Please provide the name, address and telephone number of the hospital where they are admitted and the name of their doctor.
If you have jury duty: Please provide a copy of your jury duty notice.
Note: If the medical certification forbids travel in the one year period, a full refund to original method of payment (versus e-voucher) is possible.
United Airlines drops $50 fee for hardship refunds Nov 2015
From UA's Contract of Carriage {13 Dec 2013}
If a Passenger is unable to commence or continue travel because of the death or serious illness of the Passenger, the Passengers immediate family member(s), or the Passengers traveling companion(s), UA may waive or refund any applicable change fees (less a processing fee) associated with changing the ticket(s).
Immediate Family Member means spouse, children, step-children, foster children, legally adopted wards, son/daughter-in-law, grandchildren, parents, step-parents, legal guardians, mother/father-in-law, grandparents, brother/sister, step-brother/sister, half-brother/sister, brother/sister-in-law, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews.
Consolidated "Refunds/Cancellations Due to Illness/Death" Thread {Archive}
Apr 28, 2018, 11:46 pm
#481
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier
Posts: 784
First point, if you are sick and you have to cancel a non-refundable trip and you provide United with documentation from your medical professionals they will refund all but $50 of the change fees involved. I know, 4 years ago I had to cancel EWR to AMS at the last minute because I was busy not having a fatal heart attack. I called UA from the hospital the night before my cardiac cath--after failing my stress test pretty badly--and they told me then to just provide proper documentation when I re-booked the reservation and they would refund all but $50. I did and they did.
Second point, it is not just airlines. That EWR to AMS trip was to pick up a cruise ship. Obviously I had to cancel the cruise last minute as well and the cruise line did nothing. They kept over $5000 refunding only my taxes and port charges. They also refused to give me loyalty points for the trip because "sorry, you actually have to take the cruise.." That was a whole lot more unsettling than UA's response. Fortunately I had trip insurance and they did pay out on 90% of my loss and I was able to make the trip the following year. The other good news is I am now coming up on the 4th anniversary of that event and I am still doing well
. Thank you modern medicene and thank you wife for insisting I go to the ER that night.....
Second point, it is not just airlines. That EWR to AMS trip was to pick up a cruise ship. Obviously I had to cancel the cruise last minute as well and the cruise line did nothing. They kept over $5000 refunding only my taxes and port charges. They also refused to give me loyalty points for the trip because "sorry, you actually have to take the cruise.." That was a whole lot more unsettling than UA's response. Fortunately I had trip insurance and they did pay out on 90% of my loss and I was able to make the trip the following year. The other good news is I am now coming up on the 4th anniversary of that event and I am still doing well
. Thank you modern medicene and thank you wife for insisting I go to the ER that night.....
Apr 29, 2018, 12:02 am
#482
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
United no longer charges the $50 administrative fee on change fee refunds. If you have to change a ticket due to illness, you'll get the full amount of the change fee back.
Apr 29, 2018, 7:43 am
#483
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
Programs: UA Gold, CO Plat, CO Million Miler
Posts: 2,621
First point, if you are sick and you have to cancel a non-refundable trip and you provide United with documentation from your medical professionals they will refund all but $50 of the change fees involved. I know, 4 years ago I had to cancel EWR to AMS at the last minute because I was busy not having a fatal heart attack. I called UA from the hospital the night before my cardiac cath--after failing my stress test pretty badly--and they told me then to just provide proper documentation when I re-booked the reservation and they would refund all but $50. I did and they did.
Apr 29, 2018, 8:26 am
#484
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,281
Is there a time limit? We cancelled a nonrefundable EWR-LHR trip last April 28...almost a year ago, because my wife was recovering from a gall bladder operation. Tickets were of course purchased some time before that. When I cancelled, they said to get a doctor's note when we wanted to rebook. Are those tickets still valid? or did we miss the boat (plane)?
Apr 29, 2018, 3:26 pm
#485
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier
Posts: 784
Is there a time limit? We cancelled a nonrefundable EWR-LHR trip last April 28...almost a year ago, because my wife was recovering from a gall bladder operation. Tickets were of course purchased some time before that. When I cancelled, they said to get a doctor's note when we wanted to rebook. Are those tickets still valid? or did we miss the boat (plane)?
Nice to know. My issue was almost 4 years ago and they did charge the fee. Thankfully I have not had any issues since then.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2018 at 4:12 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Aug 2, 2018, 1:29 pm
#486
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 35
Medical Emergency Can't Fly
What is United's refund policy when it comes to a medical emergency that requires my significant other and I to miss a flight? A weekend lung collapse has canceled my travel plans for the next few days. United rep says "You have the value of the ticket with a $200 change fee, but after you re-use the ticket you can submit letter from doctor to get $200 change fee refund" - She wasn't as clear regarding a refund for the paid upgrade on one segment.
Anyone had any experience with United on this and what actually happens?
Anyone had any experience with United on this and what actually happens?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 2, 2018 at 5:44 pm Reason: Merged into master thread, see wiki
Aug 2, 2018, 1:37 pm
#487
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
In the past I would just cancel my ticket. Make sure to do it before departure. Then submit a letter from gour physician startin that you weren't able to fly. That will waive any change fee. You will have one year to use the value of your ticket.
Aug 2, 2018, 2:08 pm
#488
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,532
As others have said, you need to cancel before departure, rebook your flight, pay the change fee, and request refund of the change fee. If you can't medically fly within a whole year, you can get a refund of the ticket.
Policy states that the upgrade isn't refundable unless you fly coach. But always worth a shot with medical documentation.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ds/refund.aspx
Fill out the form or click "Refund Policy" tab to read more.
You'll probably have to fill out two refund requests: one for the ticket and one for the ticket (or change fee) and one for the cabin upgrade.
Policy states that the upgrade isn't refundable unless you fly coach. But always worth a shot with medical documentation.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ds/refund.aspx
Fill out the form or click "Refund Policy" tab to read more.
You'll probably have to fill out two refund requests: one for the ticket and one for the ticket (or change fee) and one for the cabin upgrade.
Dec 1, 2023, 11:09 pm
#489
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,161
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Consolidated "Refunds/Cancellations Due to Illness/Death" Thread [Merged]
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 8, 2024 at 11:38 pm