FlyerTalk Forums - United’s 24-hour cancellation (2024)

24 hours, not next day and don't push it to the last minute.

opposite issue! got an itchy finger to unlock the credit on my $56 trip to beautiful Victoria, TX for a code-share on Air Canada!

this. DL used to allow until midnight the next day for a long time, but I’m not even sure they do that anymore.

Not by the rules, but I think UAs system occasionally tripped up and had a little bit of an extra period where it sometimes still allowed a refund. I wouldn’t count on it, for sure, but at least these days, at least for those of us who won’t book BE, there is always the credit available if you somehow miss the window.

One of the benefits of using a TA or an OTA, especially on weekends. I believe that system is still in place and you have extended cancellation timelines

update
my UA reservation remained available for 24-hour free refund cancellation somewhere between 25 and 26 hours after ticketing.

yes, UA seems to be adding some grace period, but wouldn't count on it. There is also a difference between time of purchase and actual ticketing (and perhaps when pending request made on credit card).

For those wanting to get pass the refund period and getting a FFC instead of refund, 30 hours after purchasing an all UA ticket should be enough.

FFC worked like a charm. Was able to use both my UA/ChaseIHG $50 & my partner's UA/ChaseIHG $50 on two dummy Victoria, TX tickets for me, cancelled both at 26 hours, and immediately booked a fresh UA ticket for me on UA-coded, AC-operated flight applying both FFCs. Quite easy.

What kind of bull crap is this?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4ee3adfd5b.png
I may not see refund to a ticket purchased under 24 hours ago in as long as 30 days? :mad:

Delta gave me the run around for a similar transaction...now United.

Did you pay for part of the ticket with FFC/ETC/TravelBank cash?

All cash. Am I on UA's blacklist now? :sweat:

Have you been doing a lot of 24 hour cancels?

Generally 24 hour credit cancels are just letting the pending change expire, so no refund, just not charged.

DId the charge actually post on your card, waited too close to the 24 hour limit? that would mean a delay in processing.

Several of my recent 24h cancels have posted as a charge and a refund. Wasn't pushing it with the 24h limit, probably closer to 15-20h.

1st one <24 hr cancel with United in a while.

​​​​​Credit card charge is still pending, as the original booking was done yesterday evening.

I have been booking a lot of one-ways and award flights on UA, but I don't think that should have set off any alarms.

I will call UA if the charges get posted, and don't see refunds within a few days. Agreed usually the pending charge just dropoff, making the actual refund moot.

If the charge is posting, then there will be the longer refund period. I have only done a few 24 hour window cancels recently and they have all been done while pending. The charge and refund actually costs UA more due to credit card processing fees.

if paying with credit card and buying directly with airline, and you keep getting delayed refund

Either something wrong with what you're doing (your credit card is special or your actions are weird). Or raise a DOT complaint

https://www.transportation.gov/indiv...ection/refunds