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United Airlines Award Cancellation Fees
Currency: MileagePlus
United Airlines recently eliminated award cancellation fees. All members can cancel awards free of charge. Only no-shows incur a $125 fee.
Cancellation Fee Structure
| Cabin | Timing | Fee | Elite Benefits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anytime before departure | Anytime before departure | FREE | All members: Free cancellation | Miles fully redeposited, taxes refunded |
| No-show | No-show | $125 | All members: $125 fee | Miles redeposited minus fee |
Star Alliance Partner Awards
United's fees apply to partner bookings:
Lufthansa:
FREE (same as UA)
ANA:
FREE (same as UA)
Singapore Airlines:
FREE (same as UA)
Air Canada:
FREE (same as UA)
Important Notes
- United eliminated all cancellation fees recently
- No redeposit fees for any members
- Only no-shows incur a $125 fee
- No close-in booking fees for any members
- Excursionist Perk segments have special rules
- 24-hour free cancellation on all award bookings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is United's cancellation policy the same as American's?
Yes, both United and American have eliminated award cancellation fees. All members can cancel free, with only a $125 fee for no-shows.
Do Excursionist Perk segments affect cancellation?
Excursionist Perk segments must be cancelled with the entire itinerary. You cannot cancel just the free segment independently.
What if my waitlisted segment doesn't clear?
Waitlisted segments that don't clear by departure are automatically cancelled and refunded without any fee.
Ready to Search United Airlines Award Flights?
Now that you understand the cancellation policies, search for available award seats with confidence.