Flight changes are common when travel plans shift due to personal, work, or other unexpected circumstances. United Airlines provides eligible passengers with different options to modify their reservations, depending on the fare type, itinerary, and available flights.
Before changing a United Airlines flight, it is important to understand the applicable change rules, potential fare differences, same-day options, and restrictions that may apply to certain tickets. This guide explains how to change a United flight, what fees or additional costs you may encounter, and what options are available when United changes your original itinerary.
Quick Overview: United Airlines Flight Change
- Ways to change: You can manage an eligible booking through My Trips, the United app, phone support, or an airport representative.
- Extra charges: A separate change fee may not apply to many eligible fares, but you could pay more if the replacement flight has a higher fare.
- 24-hour rule: Some bookings can be changed during the applicable 24-hour period, depending on the ticket and booking conditions.
- Same-day option: Certain passengers may be able to move to another flight departing on the same day.
- Basic Economy: These tickets can have more limitations, so check the fare conditions before requesting a change.
- Standby: If your ticket qualifies, you may be able to ask for a same-day standby option.
- United-initiated changes: When United modifies your itinerary, check your reservation for the alternatives offered to you.
- Before confirming: Compare the new flight details, total price, seat, baggage information, and final itinerary.
Can You Change Your Flight with United Airlines?
Yes, eligible United Airlines passengers can change their flights when their travel plans change. United also offers same-day flight-change options to eligible passengers, subject to applicable rules and availability.
How Can I Change a United Airlines Flight Booking?
If you need to change your United Airlines flight, you can use one of the following options.
On the Official Website or Mobile App
- Go to My Trips on the United Airlines website or open the United mobile app.
- Open your booking and select “Change flight.”
- Follow the prompts and choose your new flight.
- Check the updated itinerary and any fare difference.
- Confirm the changes.
Via Phone Call
You can also contact United Airlines customer service if you need assistance changing your flight.
- Dial 1-800-864-8331.
- Follow the IVR prompts.
- Connect with a United Airlines representative.
- Request a flight change.
- Provide your confirmation number and required travel details.
- Review the available replacement flights and any applicable costs.
Through Kiosk
If you prefer to make the change at the airport, visit a United kiosk and check the options available for your reservation. You can also speak with a United representative if you need help with the change.
What Is the United Airlines Flight Change Policy?
Before changing your reservation, review the United Airlines flight change policy and the conditions that apply to your ticket.
Flight change charges vary based on the type of ticket you purchased, your route, and the replacement flight you choose.
For many Economy and premium-cabin fares, United no longer applies a standard change fee. This generally covers eligible flights within the U.S., trips between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean, and international journeys that begin in the U.S. Even when no change fee is charged, you may still have to pay a higher fare if the new flight is more expensive, and certain ticket rules can affect the change.
Basic Economy tickets generally have more restrictions, so change and refund options depend on the specific fare and itinerary.
If the replacement flight costs more than your original flight, you may need to pay the fare difference. If it costs less, the treatment of the remaining value depends on the applicable ticket conditions.
Does United Airlines Have a 24-Hour Flight Change Policy?
United Airlines offers a 24-hour window for eligible bookings, subject to applicable conditions. If you have recently booked your flight and need to make changes, check your reservation to see which options are available.
The applicable rules can depend on the type of ticket, itinerary, and booking conditions. Therefore, review your reservation before making a change.
Can I Make Same-Day Changes on United Airlines Flights?
United Airlines offers same-day flight-change options to eligible passengers, subject to the applicable fare, itinerary, availability, and membership conditions.
Same-day flight changes are different from regular flight changes because they generally involve requesting another flight around the original travel date.
Premier Membership
Eligible Premier members may have access to additional same-day change benefits, subject to United’s applicable rules and availability.
If your preferred flight or travel class is not available, the options shown for your reservation may differ.
Other Travelers
Other eligible travellers may also have same-day flight-change options, depending on their reservation, itinerary, and available flights.
Before confirming a same-day change, review the replacement flight and any amount shown for the new itinerary.
Can You Fly Standby on United Airlines?
United Airlines also provides standby options for eligible travellers who want to take an earlier flight on the same day.
Standby is different from a confirmed flight change. With standby, you request an available seat on another flight instead of receiving a guaranteed confirmed seat immediately.
Standby availability and priority can depend on factors such as your ticket, MileagePlus status, and other applicable conditions.
If you want to fly standby, check the available options through the United website, mobile app, kiosk, or an airport representative.
Does United Charge Fees for Flight Change?
United generally does not charge a standard change fee on many eligible fares. Most eligible Economy and premium-cabin tickets have no change fee for covered routes, including flights within the U.S., between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean, and international flights originating in the U.S.
However, a flight change may still involve an additional cost if your new flight has a higher fare. If the replacement flight is cheaper, what happens to the leftover fare depends on your ticket type, route, and the rules attached to your booking.
Flights Within the U.S.
Most eligible Economy and premium-cabin tickets for flights within the U.S. do not have a standard change fee.
Flights Between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
Most eligible Economy and premium-cabin tickets between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean do not have a standard change fee.
International Flights Originating in the U.S.
Most eligible Economy and premium-cabin tickets for international flights originating in the U.S. are also covered by United’s no-change-fee policy.
United Airlines Flight Change Fees by Ticket Type
| Ticket Type | Change Fee |
| Most Economy | $0 |
| Premium Cabin | $0 |
| Basic Economy | Restrictions apply |
| Award Ticket | Depends on eligibility |
| Same-Day Change | Depends on eligibility |
Note: A fare difference may still apply when the new flight costs more. Ticket-specific restrictions can also affect your available change options.
Can You Change a United Airlines Basic Economy Ticket?
United Airlines Basic Economy tickets have more restrictions than many other fare types. Whether you can change a Basic Economy reservation depends on the specific fare, itinerary, and applicable ticket conditions.
Before making a change, open your reservation through My Trips and check whether the Change Flight option is available. If the option is available, United will show the applicable flights and any amount that may be due before you confirm the change.
If your Basic Economy ticket does not qualify for a flight change, you may need to review the cancellation or other options available for that specific reservation. Therefore, it is important to check the fare rules associated with your ticket rather than assuming that every Basic Economy booking has the same change conditions.
Can You Change a United Award Ticket?
Eligible United award reservations can have different change conditions from regular cash fares.
If you booked your flight using MileagePlus miles, review the options displayed for your reservation before confirming a change. Depending on the booking, you may need to review applicable mileage, tax, or other ticket conditions.
Can United Airlines Change My Flight?
Yes, United Airlines may change a flight’s schedule for operational or other reasons.
If a schedule change significantly affects your itinerary, review the available rebooking and refund options for your reservation.
Schedule Change Notifications
United generally provides notifications about changes to reservations, including schedule updates.
Go to My Trips to track changes made to your booking.
Rebook Your Flight
If your itinerary is affected by a significant schedule change, check the rebooking options available through your United reservation.
You can also contact United Airlines through its available customer-service or chat options for additional information.
Refund Options After a United Flight Change
Depending on the circumstances of the schedule change, you may be eligible to request a refund if the updated itinerary significantly affects your travel plans or United cannot provide the service covered by the applicable ticket conditions.
United Flight Change vs. Same-Day Flight Change
A regular flight change and a same-day flight change are not the same.
Regular flight change: You modify your reservation for another eligible flight, which may be on a different date or time.
Same-day flight change: You request an eligible flight around the same travel date as your original flight, subject to United’s same-day rules and availability.
Knowing how the two options differ can make it easier to decide what works best when your travel plans change.
You May Visit: United Airlines Multi-city Flights
Tips Before Changing Your United Airlines Flight
Before confirming a United flight change:
- Check your confirmation number and passenger details.
- Compare the departure and arrival times of the new flight.
- Check whether the new flight changes the total fare.
- Make sure your seat is still assigned after the change.
- Confirm that your baggage allowance is unchanged.
- Keep a copy of the new booking confirmation.
- If United changed your original flight, review the rebooking, credit, or refund options available.
- For same-day changes or standby, check your eligibility and flight availability before going to the airport.
Final Thoughts
Changing a United flight can be straightforward, but the options depend on your ticket and travel details. Before you submit the change, check the new flight, price difference, and any restrictions on your booking.
For same-day changes or standby, make sure your ticket qualifies and that a suitable flight is available.
