At a Glance
- ✅ No change fee on most United tickets (Main Cabin and above)
- ✅ Pay only the fare difference if the new flight costs more
- ✅ Same-day confirmed changes available for $75 (free for Premier)
- ✅ Name corrections allowed for free (up to 3-character errors)
- ❌ Basic Economy: no changes allowed after 24-hour window
- 📞 Fastest method: call a live agent — changes processed in minutes
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your United Flight
Check your fare type
Look at your confirmation email or in My Trips on united.com. If you see 'Basic Economy,' changes are not permitted after 24 hours. All other fares (Main Cabin, Economy Plus, Business, First) can be changed free of charge.
Find your preferred new flight
Browse available flights on your new date at united.com. Note the new fare price — you'll need to pay any difference. If the new flight is cheaper, you receive a FutureFlightCredit for the difference (not cash).
Process the change
Call our agents at +1 (800) 903-1468 for the fastest processing, or go to united.com > My Trips > select your flight > Change Flight. Online changes work for simple date/time changes on the same route.
Pay any fare difference
If your new flight costs $50 more, you pay $50. There is no change fee on top of that. If the flight is the same price or less, you pay nothing (and receive a credit for the difference).
Get your new confirmation
A new e-ticket confirmation is sent to your email within minutes. Your PNR (booking reference) stays the same. Check your seat selection — it may need to be re-selected on the new flight.
United Airlines Same-Day Flight Changes
United offers two same-day change options for passengers who want to move to an earlier or later flight on the same calendar day:
Same-Day Confirmed
You are moved to a confirmed seat on a different flight. A $75 fee applies for most passengers. Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K members can make same-day confirmed changes for free. The new flight must be on the same date and same route (same origin and destination).
Same-Day Standby
You are added to the standby list for an earlier flight at no charge. You only board if a seat opens up. This option is free for all fare types except Basic Economy. You keep your original boarding pass as a backup.
Need a same-day change or standby?
Our agents can confirm same-day availability and process standby requests instantly — even at the last minute.
Name Corrections on United Airlines Tickets
United allows minor name corrections free of charge. This covers:
- Spelling errors (up to 3 characters changed)
- Legal name changes (marriage, divorce — documentation required)
- Nickname to legal name corrections
- Middle name additions or removals
Name corrections are not ticket transfers. You cannot change the passenger's identity entirely. If the wrong person was booked, a new ticket must be purchased. Call us at +1 (800) 903-1468 to process name corrections quickly.
What Happens If You Miss Your United Flight
If you miss your flight and did not call United in advance, you may be marked as a no-show. In most cases this causes:
- All remaining segments in your itinerary to be automatically cancelled
- Loss of your ticket value for non-refundable fares
- No FutureFlightCredit issued
If you know you will miss a flight, call before departure.Even if you can't make it, agents can often rebook you on the next flight or preserve your credit — but only if you act before the flight departs.