You can cancel your United Airlines flight and potentially get a refund depending on the type of ticket you purchased, the timing of your cancellation, and the specific circumstances surrounding your booking. United Airlines offers a 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy, which means if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and your flight is scheduled to depart at least seven days later, you are eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment. This policy applies regardless of the fare type and is available for tickets purchased directly through United’s website or customer service. Outside this 24-hour window, whether you receive a refund or travel credit depends on whether your ticket is refundable or non-refundable. Refundable tickets provide the most flexibility. If you hold a refundable ticket and decide to cancel your flight before departure, you will receive a full refund without any penalty. The refund will be issued to your original method of payment. However, if you choose to change your flight instead of canceling it, and the new flight is more expensive, you will be required to pay the fare difference. If the new flight is cheaper, United may refund the difference or issue a travel credit depending on the fare rules. Non-refundable tickets, which are the most common type, do not qualify for a cash refund if canceled after the 24-hour grace period. Instead, if you cancel a non-refundable ticket, United typically issues a travel credit equal to the ticket’s value minus any applicable cancellation fees. For domestic flights, cancellation fees on non-refundable tickets usually range around $200, while for international flights, fees can be up to $400, depending on the fare class and route. The travel credit is generally valid for one year from the date it is issued and can be applied toward the purchase of a future flight with United Airlines. United Airlines also sells Basic Economy tickets, which are the most restrictive fare class. These tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable, meaning if you cancel a Basic Economy ticket, you will not receive a cash refund. Instead, you may be eligible for a travel credit after deduction of cancellation fees. For Basic Economy domestic flights, cancellation fees are typically $49.50 for one-way tickets and $99 for round-trip tickets. For international Basic Economy tickets, the cancellation fees are higher, usually $99.50 for one-way tickets and $199 for round-trip tickets. If United makes a significant schedule change to your flight, such as a departure time change beyond a certain number of hours or a cancellation initiated by the airline, you may be entitled to a refund. This refund can be requested if you choose not to accept the new itinerary offered by United. Usually, refunds in such cases are first issued as travel credits, but if you do not use the credit within one year, you can request a refund to your original payment method. To cancel your flight and request a refund or travel credit, you should visit United Airlines’ official website and go to the “My Trips” section. You will need to log in using your booking details or MileagePlus account, select the trip you want to cancel, and follow the prompts to complete the cancellation. After cancellation, if your ticket is eligible for a refund, United will process the refund to your original form of payment. Refunds to credit cards typically take about seven business days to appear, but in some cases, they may take up to 20 business days depending on your bank or credit card issuer. Refunds to other payment methods, such as PayPal or gift cards, may take longer. In certain special circumstances, such as the death of a passenger, serious illness, or military deployment, United may grant a refund on a non-refundable ticket. To receive this exception, you must provide documentation such as a death certificate, military orders, or medical records to support your refund request. United Airlines may also issue travel waivers during special events, including severe weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies that disrupt travel plans. These waivers allow passengers to change or cancel their flights without paying change fees or cancellation penalties. If you are affected by such an event, it is important to check United’s website or contact customer service for information on current waivers and eligibility criteria. When you cancel your flight, keep in mind that airlines usually deduct any taxes and fees that are non-refundable before issuing a refund or travel credit. This means the amount refunded might be slightly less than the original ticket price in some cases. United Airlines’ cancellation policies are designed to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, but rules may vary if your flight involves other countries or international carriers. For flights purchased through travel agencies or third-party websites, cancellation and refund policies might differ, and you may need to contact the original booking source to process cancellations and refunds. It is always advisable to read the fare rules carefully before purchasing your ticket and to consider purchasing refundable tickets if you anticipate needing flexibility. Additionally, travel insurance can help cover cancellation costs under certain circumstances. In summary, you can cancel your United Airlines flight and get a refund if you meet certain criteria. Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund regardless of fare type, or cancel a refundable ticket anytime for a full refund. Non-refundable tickets generally offer travel credit minus cancellation fees. Basic Economy tickets are the most restrictive, usually only eligible for travel credits with fees. Significant schedule changes by United may also entitle you to refunds. Use the “My Trips” section on United’s website to cancel and request refunds. Special circumstances and travel waivers may allow refunds or fee waivers. Refund processing times vary by payment method. Always check United’s policies and fare rules before booking or canceling your flight to understand your rights and options clearly.