United: what to check and what to do next.

Before you send a request

Record what happened in your own words. Keep the itinerary, payment receipts and the airline’s explanation. Separate a refund of a charge from reimbursement of an expense and from statutory compensation: qualifying for one does not settle the others.

Check the airline that actually operated the affected flight. A logo on your ticket does not by itself establish the operating company or governing law. Act promptly on baggage problems; initial reporting and a later written claim can have different time limits.

Delay

For a controllable three-hour wait, DOT lists United meal assistance; overnight care may also apply.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Next step: Ask United to arrange assistance; keep the cause notice.

• U.S.-covered travel; this is DOT’s summary, not the full United contract. Carrier exceptions and travel-date terms still need checking.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Cancellation

DOT lists United rebooking commitments and meals/hotel assistance for qualifying controllable cancellations.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Next step: Ask United to arrange assistance; keep the cause notice.

• U.S.-covered travel; this is DOT’s summary, not the full United contract. Carrier exceptions and travel-date terms still need checking.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Meals and accommodation

DOT lists United meals after a three-hour controllable wait and overnight hotel/transport commitments.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Next step: Ask United to arrange assistance; keep the cause notice.

• U.S.-covered travel; this is DOT’s summary, not the full United contract. Carrier exceptions and travel-date terms still need checking.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15

Missing paid extras

For U.S.-covered travel, request a refund for a paid optional service the airline did not provide.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Provision: Ancillary services

Next step: Keep the itinerary and receipts; ask the airline to review this provision.

• Identify the exact service, payment and failure; separate this from a ticket refund.
• Mandatory law can provide additional rights; this summary is not a payment guarantee.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · DOT public guidance checked 2026-10-15

Refund dispute

If United cancels or significantly changes a U.S.-covered flight and you decline alternatives, request unused-travel refunds.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Provision: Cancelled or significantly changed flights

Next step: Keep the itinerary and receipts; ask the airline to review this provision.

• Accepted transportation, credits and already-used travel change the request.
• Mandatory law can provide additional rights; this summary is not a payment guarantee.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · DOT public guidance checked 2026-10-15

Voucher dispute

You do not have to accept a voucher instead of a qualifying U.S. disruption refund. A credit already accepted requires separate review.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Provision: Travel credits and vouchers

Next step: Keep the itinerary and receipts; ask the airline to review this provision.

• This does not verify United credit expiry, transferability or redemption terms.
• Mandatory law can provide additional rights; this summary is not a payment guarantee.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · DOT public guidance checked 2026-10-15

Denied boarding

Involuntary bumping from an oversold U.S. departure may require compensation. Ask for the written rights notice.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Provision: Involuntary denied boarding

Next step: Keep the itinerary and receipts; ask the airline to review this provision.

• Confirmed reservation, on-time check-in/gate arrival, replacement arrival delay and aircraft exceptions matter; volunteering differs.
• Mandatory law can provide additional rights; this summary is not a payment guarantee.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · DOT public guidance checked 2026-10-15

Downgrade

For a U.S. oversales downgrade that you fly, request the difference in price between the purchased and flown class.

Scope: Travel involving the United States; the specific law’s conditions still apply.

Provision: Downgrading exception

Next step: Keep the itinerary and receipts; ask the airline to review this provision.

• This source addresses an oversales downgrade, not every seating change.
• Mandatory law can provide additional rights; this summary is not a payment guarantee.

Official government source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-15 · DOT public guidance checked 2026-10-15

Missed connection

For a United-caused misconnection on your ticket, United offers available replacement travel on its own flights. Other-carrier rebooking is discretionary.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Applies from 2026-09-30; earlier travel needs its historical policy.

Provision: Rule 24(B), (E); Rule 27

Next step: Show the full ticket and request confirmed onward travel; ask about unused-travel refund options.

• Rule 24 covers confirmed reservations and distinguishes airline-caused irregular operations, weather and local law. Separate onward tickets are not automatically protected.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official United source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Contract revised 2026-09-30; rendered browser verified 2026-10-17

Delayed baggage

United reviews supported expenses for delayed checked baggage. Keep your bag tag and itemized essential-purchase receipts.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Applies from 2026-09-30; earlier travel needs its historical policy.

Provision: Rule 28(E), (K); Rule 23

Next step: For wholly U.S. travel, notify United within 24 hours and return its written claim within 45 days of the flight.

• International delay complaints have a 21-day convention window. Report immediately; late check-in, evidence and applicable law matter.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official United source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Contract revised 2026-09-30; rendered browser verified 2026-10-17

Lost baggage

United assesses lost checked baggage using proof of actual value. Request a separate refund of any fee paid to transport the lost bag.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Applies from 2026-09-30; earlier travel needs its historical policy.

Provision: Rule 28(K); Rule 23(C)

Next step: For wholly U.S. travel, notify United within 24 hours; obtain and return its written claim within 45 days.

• A missing bag is not automatically declared lost. International treaty rules, exclusions, custody and value evidence differ; contact United promptly.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official United source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Contract revised 2026-09-30; rendered browser verified 2026-10-17

Damaged baggage

United assesses covered checked-bag damage with supporting evidence. Keep the bag and photographs; ordinary wear and improper packing differ.

Scope: Check the cited policy’s route, operator, booking and travel-date conditions.

Applies from 2026-09-30; earlier travel needs its historical policy.

Provision: Rule 28(E), (K)

Next step: For wholly U.S. travel, notify United within 24 hours and submit its written claim within 45 days.

• International damage complaints have a seven-day convention window. Mandatory law prevails over inconsistent contract terms; retain the bag for inspection.
• Checked baggage in carrier custody; evidence, exclusions and mandatory law apply. No payment is guaranteed.

Official United source ↗ · Checked 2026-10-17 · Contract revised 2026-09-30; rendered browser verified 2026-10-17

Keep your request clear

Ask for the specific remedy supported by your records, attach copies rather than irreplaceable originals, and keep your submission confirmation. If an airline declines, save its reason before choosing an escalation route. Do not send full credit-redemption codes or account passwords to CoinTravel.

General policy information, not legal advice or an eligibility decision. Published terms may have changed and may differ from those on your travel date. Applicable law may provide additional rights. No payment is guaranteed.