"Future flight credits" instead of "Refund To original form of payment"
 

I have a upcoming flight (Economy W fare). I found out there would be $200 refund if I take a 4hr later flight on my return.

Based on https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/credit.html Future flight credits are issued if you cancel your trip or change your flight to a less expensive one. However, when I check out, United.com says refund to original form of payment.

I cancelled my credit card and it is going to be complicated. I would rather take future flight credits as mentioned in the UA website. Is there a way to get "Future flight credits" instead of "Refund To original form of payment"?

Thanks

Future flight credits

Future flight credits are issued if you cancel your trip or change your flight to a less expensive one.

These credits can be used to book travel on United, United Express, and partner-operated flights purchased on our website or app. You can also apply future flight credits toward some non-ticket items, like Economy Plus® seating. If you choose to apply your credits towards non-ticket items, you’ll need to do that when booking your ticket as you can’t apply future flight credits after your initial ticket purchase.

Definitely not through the website. An agent may be able to do that for you manually. There’s no specific rule that would allow for it, though. The text you’re quoting applies to nonrefundable itineraries.

Thank you.

I played a little with my ticket. My itinerary is multi city. A-B B-C C-A. I wanted to change C-A and only option was a refund to original form of payment.

When I cancel the original ticket, United.com gives me options to choose "Rebook later with future flight credit" or "Refund to original form of payment"

Very interesting. I am not mentally prepared to cancel the whole trip and rebook.
I will double check and make sure if I can book A-B B-C C-A with less expensive money.

Assuming this was not a refundable ticket, had there been a schedule change earlier (making the ticket refundable)?

It's possible this is somehow related to new DOT regs that went into effect last October and require when travel vouchers or credits are issued as compensation, they must be valid for at least 5 years. However, airlines may offer cash refunds as an alternative if acceptable to the passenger. My guess is they don't really want to keep track of the vouchers (and account for them on their books) for 5 years and are shifting to the alternative cash refund offers as compensation instead. I believe there have been some similar reports in DL forum of DL issuing refunds in certain cases where they would have issued vouchers in the past. The same new DOT regs defined "significant delays" for schedule changes and IRROPs (3 hours for domestic, 6 hours for international), where passengers are entitled to either request a refund on non-refundable fares or airlines can offer compensation if acceptable (although they didn't mandate a particular amount of compensation).

Not fully refundable ticket. Economy W class
There was no schedule change.

My trip is international Asia - US - US- Asia.
I tried with other US domestic booking. UA gives Future Flight Credits.

Also, Future Flight Credits from my international booking work differently with other credits from my US domestic bookings.
"Go to My trips and enter the confirmation number from this email and last name on the reservation - or book with credit now (internet link)." and if i book less expensive flights, UA gives refunds....

I guess either add more flights to go over the previous booking value or add higher cabin to go over if I do not want to get refunds.