How Do I Change United Airlines Flight?
If you want to change a United Airlines flight, you can usually do it online through My Trips. United has eliminated change fees for most standard Economy and premium-cabin tickets, although the fare difference may still apply when the new flight costs more.
Step by Step Process To Change Flight
- Go to United Airlines.
- Select “My Trips.”
- Enter your confirmation number and last name, or sign in to your MileagePlus account.
- Select the reservation you want to change.
- Choose “Change flight” or the applicable change option.
- Select your new travel date, flight, or itinerary.
- Review the price difference and any applicable restrictions.
- Confirm the change.
- United will issue an updated itinerary/e-ticket.
Will United charge a change fee?
For many United tickets, there is no change fee, particularly for standard Economy and premium-cabin tickets. However, if your new flight is more expensive, you generally need to pay the difference in fare.
Basic Economy is different: restrictions can apply depending on the route, fare and ticket conditions, so check the specific reservation before making the change.
If United changed or cancelled your flight
If United itself cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, your options can be different from a voluntary change. You may be able to select an alternative flight or qualify for a refund depending on the circumstances.
Same-day flight changes
United also offers same-day flight-change/standby options for eligible passengers. The exact eligibility and whether a confirmed same-day change is available depend on the ticket, route and MileagePlus status.
United Airlines Change Fee, Fare Difference
Yes. Here is the practical breakdown of United Airlines flight-change fees, fare differences, and the best way to change a ticket based on United's current policies.
1. Change fee
For most eligible United tickets, there is no standard change fee. United states that customers can change eligible flights without a change fee, although other fare rules can apply.
So, for a normal eligible Economy or premium-cabin ticket:
Change fee = $0
However, this does not mean the change is always free.
2. Fare difference
If your replacement flight costs more than your original flight, you generally have to pay the fare difference.
For example:
|
Original ticket |
New ticket |
Additional payment |
|
$500 |
$500 |
$0 |
|
$500 |
$650 |
$150 |
|
$500 |
$800 |
$300 |
|
$500 |
$450 |
Depends on fare rules |
United specifically states that when the new flight is priced higher, you can change without a change fee but must pay the fare difference.
If the new flight is cheaper, the treatment depends on the ticket/fare rules, so don't assume you'll automatically receive $50 back as cash.
3. Basic Economy
Basic Economy requires extra attention. United has separate restrictions for Basic Economy fares. Some Basic Economy tickets can be changed after purchasing additional United Economy benefits, while the exact conditions depend on the ticket and itinerary.
Therefore, before changing a Basic Economy ticket, check the change options shown in My Trips.
4. Best way to change your United flight
The easiest option is normally to do it online:
- Go to United Airlines.
- Open My Trips.
- Enter your confirmation number and last name.
- Select your reservation.
- Select Change flight.
- Choose the new date/flight.
- United will show you the applicable price difference before you confirm.
- Pay any additional amount required.
- Download/save the new itinerary.
This is usually preferable to calling because you can compare several available flights and see the price before confirming.
5. When calling United may be better
Contact United if:
- Your ticket was booked through a travel agency.
- You have a complicated international itinerary.
- You need to change multiple passengers.
- Your itinerary contains partner-airline flights.
- United cancelled or significantly changed your original flight.
- The website doesn't provide a change option.
United's official flight-change page is available here: United Flight Changes.
Example
Suppose you purchased:
Delhi → Newark
Original fare: $700
You want to move the flight to another date.
- United change fee: $0 if your ticket is eligible.
- New flight price: $850
- Fare difference: $150
- Total additional payment: $150
If the new flight costs $700, the additional payment would generally be $0.
Best Approach: Check My Trips → Change flight first. United will calculate the actual amount for your specific reservation before you confirm the change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does United Airlines charge to change a flight? 
United Airlines charges a $0 change fee for most standard Economy, Economy Plus, and premium cabin tickets on domestic flights and international flights originating in the U.S.. While you won't pay a penalty fee to make a change, you are still responsible for paying any fare difference if your new flight is more expensive. If the new flight is cheaper, United will issue you a future travel credit for the difference.
United Airlines Change Fees by Ticket & Route
|
Ticket Type |
Route / Condition |
Change Fee |
|
All Tickets |
Changed within 24 hours of booking |
$0 |
|
Standard Economy & Premium |
Flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, & U.S. Virgin Islands |
$0 |
|
Standard Economy & Premium |
Flights between the U.S. and Mexico/Caribbean |
$0 |
|
Standard Economy & Premium |
International flights originating in the U.S. |
$0 |
|
Standard Economy & Premium |
International flights originating outside the U.S. |
Varies by route (typically $150–$200+) |
|
Award Tickets |
Booked with MileagePlus miles (originating in the U.S.) |
$0 |
|
Basic Economy |
Any route |
Not allowed (Must upgrade to standard economy first) |
Same-Day Travel Changes
If you need to change your flight at the last minute on the day of departure, you have two options:
- Same-Day Standby: You can wait for an earlier flight on the same day for free.
- Same-Day Confirmed Change: You can secure a guaranteed seat on a new flight leaving within 24 hours of your original departure.
This costs up to $75 depending on your MileagePlus status (free for Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K members).
Other Potential Fees to Keep in Mind
- Agent Booking Fee: Making your flight change online or via the United app is free. However, if you have a phone agent process the change, a $25 fee may apply. Doing it in person at the airport can cost $50.
- Basic Economy Upgrades: If you hold a Basic Economy ticket, you cannot change it. To bypass this, United allows you to pay a fee (usually around $150 for international routes) to switch the ticket to a Standard Economy fare, after which you can change the flight by paying any fare differences.
To review or modify your current booking, you can log in directly to the United Airlines My Trips portal.
How do I contact United Airlines to change my flight?
You can change your flight online through the United My Trips portal or by calling United customer service at 1-800-864-8331.
How to Change Your Flight Online?
- Go to United My Trips.
- Sign in or enter your confirmation number and last name.
- Select the flight you want to modify and click Change flight.
- Choose Edit to pick your new travel dates or times.
United Airlines Contact and Support Options
- Phone: Call 1-800-864-8331 to speak with a customer service agent.
- Live Chat: Use the chat feature on the United Help Center.
- At the Airport: Visit a self-service kiosk or speak directly with an agent at the ticket counter or gate.
Is it better to cancel or change a flight with United Airlines?
Whether it is better to change or cancel your United Airlines flight depends on if you already know your new travel plans and your ticket type.
When to change your flight
- You know your new dates: If you already know when you want to fly, changing your flight is usually better.
- No change fees: United Airlines does not charge change fees for standard Economy, Premium Plus, Business, First Class, or domestic award tickets.
- Pay only the difference: You only pay the fare difference if your new flight costs more. If the new flight is cheaper, you get a future flight credit for the difference.
When to cancel your flight
- You do not know your new plans: If you are unsure when you can re-book, cancel the flight to receive a electronic travel credit or a full refund (if eligible).
- 24-hour window: You can cancel any ticket for a full refund within 24 hours of booking, as long as you booked at least a week before departure.
- Basic Economy restrictions: Basic Economy tickets cannot be changed after the 24-hour booking window, meaning cancellation (if within 24 hours) is your only flexibility. Otherwise, standard Basic Economy cannot be changed or refunded.
Why can't I change my flight on the United app?
You cannot change your flight on the United Airlines app because of ticket restrictions, login errors, or app glitches.
Common Reasons for App Flight Change Failures
- Basic Economy Tickets: Basic Economy fares usually cannot be changed unless you upgrade to a standard economy or premium cabin first.
- Session or Login Glitches: The app may fail to process changes if your MileagePlus account session has expired or timed out. Try tapping your profile picture or re-logging in with Face ID/credentials.
- Complex Itineraries: Multi-city bookings, partner airline segments, or group reservations often cannot be modified through the mobile interface.
- Too Close to Departure or Special Circumstances: If your flight is leaving in less than a few hours, or if there are active weather waivers/schedule irregularities, the system might lock mobile changes.
- App Bugs: Temporary server outages or interface bugs can block the multi-step change menu.
How to Fix It?
- Use the Website: Log in through a web browser on United.com and navigate to My Trips to complete the change.
- Refresh Your Login: Log out of the app completely, sign back into your MileagePlus account, and reload your reservation.
- Contact Support: Use the chat feature in the app or call United customer service directly to process the change through their backend system.
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