No more change fees

Enjoy more flexibility when you fly with us. We’ve permanently gotten rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. You also won’t pay change fees for international travel originating in the U.S.

Roam freely

When you book a flight with us, there won't be any change fees if:

You’re traveling within these places:

  • Continental U.S.
  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Caribbean
  • Mexico

You have these types of tickets:

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

*including premium transcontinental service

Start planning your trip today knowing you have more flexibility.

 

What else is changing?

In addition to removing change fees, we made other changes to create more flexibility.

Customers sitting in the waiting area maintaining social distancing

Same-day standby

If you want to take an earlier United flight on the same day, you’ll be able to join the standby list for free, departing from anywhere in our network. If a seat is available, we’ll assign you one before departure. Learn more

Customer using the united mobile app's touch-less Kiosk feature with their smart phone

Same-day confirmation

If you’re a MileagePlus® Premier® member, you have even more flexibility and may be able to confirm a seat on an earlier flight for no cost at all. Learn more

Why are we doing this now?

These days, change is inevitable. But it’s how you deal with that change that matters most, and with that in mind, we’re taking this moment to better support our customers. When it comes to your future travels, you’ll be able to make the most of any change that comes your way, with more flexibility than ever before.



Why are we doing this now?

 

These days, change is inevitable. But it’s how you deal with that change that matters most, and with that in mind, we’re taking this moment to better support our customers. When it comes to your future travels, you’ll be able to make the most of any change that comes your way, with more flexibility than ever before.

FAQs

  • We’re permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. Travel within the U.S. includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    Going forward, you also won’t have change fees for other international travel that originates in the U.S.

  • Change fees will apply for other international flights, and Basic Economy tickets can't be changed.

    For all other international standard Economy and premium cabin tickets issued by January 31, 2022, or Basic Economy tickets issued by April 30, 2021, you can change your flight without a change fee.

  • If you booked a flight on or after March 3, 2020, there won’t be any change fees due to travel waivers already in place.

    If you booked a flight before March 3, 2020, and your travel dates were between March 3, 2020 and January 31, 2021, there also won’t be any change fees due to travel waivers already in place.

  • There’s no limit to how many times you can change your flight, but you’ll have to pay for any fare difference each time.

  • No. If you cancel your flight and don’t choose a new one right away, you’ll get a flight credit that you can use up to one year from your original ticket issue date.

  • If your new flight costs less, you may receive a future flight credit for the fare difference if the fare rules allow.

  • Yes, there aren’t change fees for award travel.

  • No, all fees have been waived for canceling or changing award travel.

  • Yes, we’ll still have refundable domestic fares that appear under the “Flexible” column when you book a flight.

  • Yes. Beginning January 1, 2021, any customer can stand by for an earlier flight for free. If a seat is available for that flight, we’ll assign you one before departure.

    If your trip has a connection, you’ll have to stand by for each flight individually. If you check a bag for your original flight, we’ll work to load your bag onto your new flight, but it may not make the standby flight.

  • Beginning January 1, 2021, if you’re a MileagePlus Premier member, you have even more flexibility and may be able to confirm a seat on a different flight for no cost at all. The new flight will need to have the same origin and destination and be within 24 hours of the originally scheduled flight. If the same fare class is not available, you’ll have to pay the fare difference.

    For all other customers that would like to make a same-day change and confirm a seat, a fare differential may apply. Basic Economy tickets are not eligible to confirm changes on different flights, but you can stand by for other flights within 24 hours of your original departure time.

  • Group fares purchased through United Reservation’s Group Desk are still subject to change fees.