Understanding United Airlines Cancellation Policy After 24 Hours

When you book a flight, life can sometimes throw in surprises that require you to cancel or reschedule your travel plans. United Airlines offers a flexible cancellation policy, but what happens if you're beyond the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window? Don’t worry — here's a detailed look at the United Airlines cancellation policy after 24 hours, so you can make informed decisions without stress.

What Is the 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation?

United Airlines allows all passengers to cancel their booking within 24 hours of purchase without any penalty — regardless of the fare type — as long as the ticket was purchased at least 7 days before the departure date. But what happens after that?

Cancellation Policy After 24 Hours

Once the 24-hour window has passed, United Airlines applies different rules depending on your fare type:

• Non-Refundable Tickets

You can cancel your flight after 24 hours, but a cancellation fee will be charged.

The remaining value of your ticket will be issued as an eCredit, which can be used for future travel.

The travel credit is usually valid for 12 months from the original booking date.

• Refundable Tickets

If you bought a refundable ticket, you can cancel at any time and get a full refund to your original payment method.

These tickets are more flexible but tend to be more expensive.