How to get a refund from United Airlines (cancelled or delayed flight)
Official cancel and refund channels from company policies. Outcome stats appear once enough anonymized cases are shared.
Flight disrupted: credit or refund? →
Sources
Official contact channels
- Refund: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/refund-policy.html
- Refund: https://www.united.com/en/us/refunds/
- SMS: Text UNITED to 32050
- Notice: 20 days — DOT calendar-day window for non-credit-card refunds
- Refund timing: United's page says refunds not paid by credit card are processed within 20 business days. The DOT rule says 20 calendar days.
Policies: United refund policy · DOT refunds (Federal Register)
Policy quotes
“If your flight is disrupted and you choose not to travel, you can request a full refund to your original payment method.”
— source, verified 2026-10-15“But if you accept our rebooking options… you won't be entitled to a refund.”
— source, verified 2026-10-15“Prompt refunds means refunds made within 7 business days … for credit card purchases, and within 20 calendar days … for cash, check, debit card, or other forms of purchases.”
— source, verified 2026-10-15
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