Are United First Class Tickets Refundable?

Is your United First Class ticket refundable? This question becomes the topic of interest when your plan to travel in United Airlines first class is canceled after buying its ticket without knowing whether it is refundable or not. Since United first class ticket comes for a hefty price, you really don’t want to lose its value. United Airlines First Class ticket can be refundable, but it depends on the type of United First Class fare purchased by you, the reason for canceling the ticket, and the time of cancellation. Therefore, it is important to understand the United First Class refund policy and the process for requesting a refund.

What are United Airlines First Class Fare Types?

United Airlines first class, which is known for its luxurious amenities and services, is available in two types of fares, refundable and non-refundable. Therefore, only purchasing a first class ticket on United Airlines does not guarantee a refund. Whether you will receive a refund for canceling a flight depends on the type of fare you purchased. So it becomes pertinent to outline the differences between refundable and nonrefundable United first class fares so that you can choose the right fare for you.

• Refundable United First Class Fare: United Airlines’ first class refundable fare is also referred to as a flexible fare, which can be canceled anytime before the flight leaves the departure airport to get a full refund in the same payment method that was used to purchase the ticket.
• Non-Refundable United First Class Fare: The non-refundable first class fare of United Airlines is also labeled as a non-flexible fare, and it gives only a travel credit with a validity of 12 months for canceling it. You don’t get a cash refund with this fare type of United first class.

Also check out: Is United Airlines First Class Worth It?

United First Class Refundable Fare vs Non-refundable Fare

What is United Airlines First Class Refund Policy?

Travel plans can change anytime and United Airlines understands it very well. Thus, United first class refund policy gives some flexibility to the passengers to receive full refund for specific cancellation reasons and canceling flights within a specific time period. Regardless of your United first class fare type, the refund policy offers a full cash refund if you cancel your United first class flight within 24 hours of the ticket purchase if it was booked a minimum of seven days before the departure date.

Since if you will receive a refund or lose the United first class ticket value for canceling flight depends on the situation, it is worth recognizing the cases when United first class tickets are refundable and when they are not.

When United First Class Tickets Are Refundable

• If you bought a refundable fare, you won’t lose the value of a United first class ticket, as you can cancel it anytime before departure and get a full refund in the same payment method used for ticket purchase.
• It does not matter whether you have a refundable or non-refundable United first class fare; if you cancel the flight within 24 hours of booking, you will be entitled to a full refund, given that the flight was booked at least seven days before departure.
• If United Airlines is responsible for the cancellation of a flight or a significant change in the schedule or itinerary, you can receive a full refund even with a non-refundable first class fare.
• If you cancel the United first class flight citing a serious medical emergency or a death in the family, you can obtain a full refund, but you will need to provide the necessary documents.

When United First Class Tickets Are Not Refundable

• If you purchased a United first class ticket at a discount or non-refundable fare, you will not get a refund.
• If you cancel your non-refundable flight within 24 hours of booking, you will not be eligible for a refund; however, a travel credit for 12 months will be offered.
• If you no-show for the flight or miss your flight and also do not cancel before departure, your cash refund will not be processed.
• If you purchased a United first-class fare from a third-party, the airline will not process the refund; however, the third-party agency can process the refund, subject to its own refund restrictions.

Discover more: How Much is First Class Ticket on United Airlines?

How to Request a Refund from United Airlines?

1. Visit the official website of United Airlines.
2. Log in to your My Trips account and choose your reservation.
3. Use the Cancel Flight option to request a refund.
4. Check whether you are eligible for a refund with your ticket’s fare rules.
5. Submit your request for a refund and wait for it, as refund payments are processed within seven working days.

Tips to Avoid Losing United First Class Ticket Money

• Book a refundable fare of United First Class, which allows you to change plans without incurring cancellation charges or losing ticket value.
• If you bought a non-refundable fare and your plan has changed, cancel it within 24 hours of the purchase.
• Do not ignore the fare-based rules while purchasing United First Class, and check if it is refundable, non-refundable, or flexible.
• Use the United Airlines first class helpline number to check if you are entitled to a refund even with a non-refundable fare, in case of flight cancellation or schedule change.

Final Thoughts

United Airlines first class tickets can be refundable as well as non-refundable in nature. It depends on you what type of fare you select during booking. However, a non-refundable United first class fare is also eligible for a full cash refund if the flight is canceled within 24 hours of the booking that was made at least seven days before departure.

If you are in doubt about your refund eligibility, check your ticket’s fare rules or contact United. However, AwareTravels’ experts are also available at +1 (800) 419-9920 to help you with refund issues.

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