Flight changes

Adjust your travel plans all the way up to the day of your trip.

Changing your flight

You can change your flight on united.com or the United app in four steps:

  1. Go to My Trips
  2. Select “Change flight”
  3. Select “Edit” to update your flight
  4. Choose a new flight

You can also change your flight over the phone, but you might be charged a fee. If you’re at the airport you can use a kiosk or speak to an agent.

Your new flight must:

  • Have the same departure and arrival airport
  • Leave within 24 hours before or after your original flight
  • Be operated by United or United Express®

If your flight is more than a day away, you may be able to change it with no fees. Or fly standby for free.

Same day changes

Premier members may be able to get another flight for free. If your original class isn’t available, you may have to pay a price difference.

All other travelers may be able to get another flight within 24 hours of the original flight. You may have to pay a price difference even if the same cabin is available.

Confirm that your bags are on the new plane by speaking with an agent an hour before your flight.

Canceling your flight

Cancel your flight on united.com or the United app in three steps:

  1. Go to My Trips
  2. Select “Cancel flight”
  3. Select “Confirm cancellation”

Once confirmed, we will give you the options for a travel credit or a refund. Learn how to use travel credit.

No change fees for most flights

That includes award travel.

Learn about change fees

Flying standby

Join the standby list and possibly get an earlier flight on the same day as your scheduled flight.

To join for free:

United app or united.com

Go to My Trips and select “View flight options.” Once you’re on the list, you can also track your standby status on the app.

Airport kiosk

At the kiosk, go to your itinerary and select “View flight options.”

United agent

When you get to the airport, go to the United check-in counter and ask an agent to put you on the list.

Once you’ve been added to the list, look for the first three letters of your last name and your first initial on the screens near your gate. For example:

“Mary Clark” will be shown as “CLA, M.”

“John Smith” will be shown as “SMI, J.”

“Deshawn Brown” will be shown as “BRO, D.”

If a seat is available, we’ll assign one to you automatically. Seats are assigned 30 minutes before a domestic flight and 60 minutes before an international flight.

Standby priority

The standby list will be updated frequently as customers are always being added. The order of the list is prioritized by Premier status.

  1. Premier status
  2. Cabin
  3. United Club Infinite CardSM and Presidential Plus Cardmembers
  4. United Corporate Preferred users
  5. United Chase Cardmembers with $25,000 in annual spending
  6. Date and time of request

Volunteering your seat

You can choose to give your seat to someone else only when there aren't enough seats. If you volunteer your seat, we will compensate you with a travel certificate.

Traveler pro tip

If you're assigned a seat an hour or more before your new flight, you can change it on the United app.

Traveler pro tip

If you're assigned a seat an hour or more before your new flight, you can change it on the United app.

Download the United app

Download the United app

Change your flight FAQ