United Airlines cancelled your flight.
Here's what they owe you.
You are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method — even for non-refundable tickets. The airline must also rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost.
Free · No signup · Works at the gate
You're owed a full cash refund
- •Full refund to your card — not vouchers, not credits
- •All fees refunded (bags, seats, extras)
- •Meals and hotel if you're stranded overnight
- •Must be processed within 7 business days
What to do right now
1. Screenshot everything
Take screenshots of the departure board, your boarding pass, and any notifications from the airline app. This is your evidence.
2. Don't wait in line — rebook on your phone
Open the airline's app and rebook yourself immediately. The phone agents and app update faster than the gate agent's queue. Call the airline simultaneously while using the app.
3. Check ALL airlines for alternatives
Search Google Flights for the same route today. If another carrier has a seat, ask the gate agent to endorse your ticket to that airline. They sometimes do this for cancellations.
4. Ask for meal and hotel vouchers
If the cancellation is the airline's fault (not weather), they owe you meals for long waits and a hotel if you're stranded overnight. Ask the gate agent directly.
5. Request a full cash refund
You are legally entitled to a full refund to your original payment method — not vouchers, not credits. This is federal law (14 CFR Part 260). Don't accept anything less.
6. File your complaint email
Use the complaint email generator below to create a formal, legally-grounded complaint. Send it to the airline's customer relations department.
7. File a DOT complaint if ignored
If the airline doesn't respond within 14 days or denies your refund, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Airlines take DOT complaints seriously — it affects their record.
8. Save all receipts
Keep receipts for any meals, transportation, hotel, or essentials you had to purchase. These are reimbursable expenses the airline owes you.
Your rights under federal law
If your flight is cancelled by the airline for any reason, you are entitled to a full refund — even for non-refundable tickets. This is federal law, not airline policy.
- •Full refund to original payment method (not just vouchers)
- •Refund of all fees (baggage, seat selection, extras)
- •Rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost
- •If you choose not to fly, full cash refund within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 days (other payment)
Refund must be processed within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 calendar days (cash/check)
14 CFR Part 260 — Airline Ticket Refunds
Contact United Airlines
United Airlines pledges for controllable delays
Voluntary, not law. Subject to Oct 2026 carve-out.
What to know about United Airlines
United automatically pushes meal and hotel vouchers to the United app during eligible disruptions — check your app before waiting in line. They also allow same-day standby on earlier flights through the app, which can save you during rolling delays.
People who pushed back got results
"Cited 14 CFR 260 and got my full refund in 5 days. They tried the voucher dance first."
"Filed DOT complaint after airline ghosted me for 3 weeks. Got refund + $200 voucher within 48 hours."
Get your United Airlines disruption kit
Complaint email, action checklist, and proof — ready in 30 seconds.
Common questions
What do I do if United Airlines cancels my flight?
If your flight is cancelled by the airline for any reason, you are entitled to a full refund — even for non-refundable tickets. This is federal law, not airline policy.
Does United Airlines provide meals and hotels for flight cancelled?
For controllable flight cancelled situations, United Airlines pledges meal vouchers and hotel accommodations for overnight delays. These are voluntary commitments subject to the October 2026 DOT rule carve-outs.
How do I file a complaint with United Airlines?
Email customercare@united.com, call 1-800-864-8331, or DM @united on Twitter/X. If United Airlines doesn't respond within 14 days, file a formal DOT complaint at airconsumer.dot.gov.
How long does a United Airlines refund take?
Federal law requires United Airlines to process refunds within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for cash or check payments. Use their refund portal at https://www.united.com/en/us/refund to start the process.