United Airlines Flight Change Policy: A Complete Guide for Passengers

Nobody books a flight to change it. However, flight changes sometimes become necessary due to unforeseen situations beyond our control: some life events or sudden changes in schedule force our travel plans to change. However, flight changes are not without consequences. They take time, involve hassles, and set you back monetarily. Therefore, you need to know the change policy of the airline you’re flying with to reduce its impact.

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In this blog, we’ll explore the United Airlines Flight Change Policy so that you know the fees, terms, and conditions in detail. This will help you plan for contingencies and stay prepared for a change. So, read this guide to get a fair idea about managing a flight change on United Airlines.

Basic Understanding of United Airlines Flight Change Policy

Like most full-service carriers, United Airlines has a flexible flight change policy. The policy is well thought-out, and its rules are made to keep passengers’ needs for flight changes in mind. Here are the key points of the United Airlines Flight Change Policy for your quick reference.

United Airlines Flight Change Policy allows passengers to change flights until a few minutes before departure.
Passengers can change flights both online and offline. Changes via phone calls and at the airport kiosks are allowed.
Per the policy rules, the departure and arrival airports must be the same for a flight change.
United Airlines Flight Change policy requires that either United or United Express must handle the operation of the modified flight.
Most fares except Basic Economy can change their flights for free on domestic routes and international travel originating in the US. For travel originating outside the US, the change fees passengers have to pay will depend on their routes and fares.
However, passengers must pay the price difference if the new tickets are priced higher according to the policy rules. Passengers get travel credits issued in their names if their new flights cost less.
United Airlines Flight Change Policy rules allow passengers to make same-day flight changes for no additional cost.
United Premier members are given priority for same-day standby. They are exempt from paying a fare difference if their new tickets belong to the same class as the original.
The policy allows free changes for award flights.

United Airlines Flight Change Fees: What to Expect and How to Avoid Them

United Airlines has reduced flight change fees for domestic and international travel originating in the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Economy, Economy Plus, or Premium Cabin passengers can change flights without paying fees within these areas. Free flight changes are also available for flights to and from Mexico and the Caribbean. However, United Airlines Flight Change fees can be up to $1000 per passenger for international travel outside the US. Same-day standby fees are also removed, but passengers must pay the difference in fare if their new flights cost more. To avoid fees, passengers should change flights within 24 hours of booking.

How to Change Your United Airlines Flight Online?

You can change your United Airlines flight online in a few easy steps. Here’s how.

Open the home page of the United Airlines website.
Click on “My Trips”. Enter your booking credentials and log in.
Select the flight you want to change once your trip details are retrieved.
Choose your new flight from the availability list.
Pay the Fare difference, if applicable.
Wait for confirmation email and reissued ticket.

Can I Reschedule For A Different Date For My Flight?

As per the United Airlines Flight Change Policy rules, you can reschedule your United flight to a different date. You can do this online through the official website or the mobile app or offline via phone calls or messages. Also, in most cases, you won’t have to pay any change fee to reschedule your flight date according to the rules. However, the following conditions must be met:

Your departure and destination airports must remain the same
Your new flight must be operated by United or United Express

How Can You Change Your United Airlines Flight At The Airport?

To change your United Airlines flight at the airport, you have to either use a kiosk or speak to a ground crew member or an agent. There is a condition, though. Your new flight must depart within 24 hours after or before your original flight.

Conclusion

United Airlines understands that you might require a flight change due to unpredictable events. And its United Flight Change Policy is a reflection of this understanding. The policy is well-defined, and its rules and guidelines are lucidly explained. The policy allows you to change flights both online and offline. It also permits you to join the same-day standby list online for free. But the best part is, of course, the free flight change this policy permits on all domestic and international travel originating in the US.

In most cases, you are only required to pay the applicable fare difference if your new ticket costs more. There’s more. Unbelievably, as per the policy rules, you’re also exempt from paying the fare difference if you are a Premier member and your new ticket is in the same class as the original. We suppose that’s enough reason to book your flight with United.

FAQs

Ques: Can I change my United Airlines flight 24 hours before?

Ans: You can change your United Airlines flight anytime before departure. Depending on your fares and routes, you may be able to change it free of charge.

Ques: What Happens If United Airlines Changes My Flight Schedule?

Ans: You have three options if United Airlines changes your flight schedule. First, you accept the changed schedule. Second, you can choose to rebook using the available options provided. Three: you decide to cancel your flight and ask for a refund. So, choose any of these three options if something like this happens.

Ques: Can I change my United Airlines flight over the phone?

Ans: Yes, you can. The United Airlines Flight Change Policy rules allow you to change your flight over the phone by dialing the toll-free phone number +1-800-864-8331. However, you may have to pay a service charge of $25 on top of the flight change fee.

Ques: Can I change my basic economy ticket on United Airlines?

Ans: According to the United Airlines Flight Change Policy rules, Basic Economy tickets are non-changeable. However, you have two options if you need to change your flight at any cost. First, you can upgrade to Economy or Premium Cabin and then make the change. Second, you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and rebook.

Ques: What should you do with checked bags during a United Airlines flight change?

Ans: United Airlines advises passengers to speak to a ground agent an hour before their new flights’ departure to confirm that their checked bags are safely put on the new planes. So, follow this advice and always cross-check before you board your new flight to avoid an unnecessary baggage mixup.