How to Change or Cancel United Flights Affected by Coronavirus

This page will be frequently updated as new information becomes available.

Updated March 31, 2020

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Please note: If you purchased your flight tickets through a travel agent or online travel agency such as Orbitz, you will need to contact them to cancel or change your flights, in addition to being familiar with the airline policies outlined below.

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The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on flights around the world. United Airlines has announced that, in response, it will waive change fees for some tickets depending on date of purchase, departure date, and origin / destination.

To rebook United Airlines flights affected by the coronavirus, view your reservation, then select Change Flights to see alternate options.

To request a refund for a United Airlines flight cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, submit a refund request form.

Flights Departing March 3 – May 31, 2020

• United is waiving change fees for all tickets issued on or before March 2, 2020 for travel scheduled between March 3 and May 31, 2020.
  • The new tickets must be issued on or before December 31, 2020, or 12 months from the original purchase date, whichever is earlier.
  • Rebooked travel must begin within 12 months of the original ticket issue date.

China flights (PEK, CTU, PVG)

UPDATE: United Airlines has suspended flights between the US and Beijing (PKG), Chengdu (CTU), Hong Kong (HKG) and Shanghai (PVG) through April 30. Check back for further updates.

United Airlines is offering change fee and fare difference waivers, as well as refunds, for flights to and from Beijing (PKG), Chengdu (CTU), and Shanghai (PVG) that meet the following criteria:

• United Airlines will waive change fees for flights to and from Beijing (PKG), Chengdu (CTU), and Shanghai (PVG) originally scheduled to depart January 24 – April 30, 2020, provided the original ticket was issued by February 12.
• Change fees and difference in fare will be waived if new travel is scheduled to depart before July 1, 2020. Travel must be between the same cities and in the same cabin class (any fare class) as originally ticketed.
• Change fees only will be waived for rebooked flights departing after June 30, or for rebooked flights to a different city than originally ticketed. The passenger is responsible for any difference in fare.
• Rebooked travel must begin within 12 months of the original ticket issue date.
• United is offering refunds for unflown fights to and from China, even for nonrefundable tickets. Affected passengers should submit a refund request form.

China flights (WUH)

• United Airlines announced it will offer refunds for unflown fights, even for nonrefundable tickets, for flights to and from Wuhan International Airport (WUH), for flights originally scheduled to depart January 22 – March 29, 2020, provided the original ticket was issued by January 21, 2020.
• Affected passengers should submit a refund request form to claim.

Hong Kong flights

UPDATE: United Airlines has suspended flights between the US and Beijing (PKG), Chengdu (CTU), Hong Kong (HKG) and Shanghai (PVG) through April 30. Check back for further updates.

United is offering change fee and fare difference waivers, as well as refunds, for flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) that meet the following criteria:

• United Airlines will waive change fees for Hong Kong (HKG), for flights originally scheduled to depart January 28 – April 30, 2020, provided the original ticket was issued by February 12.
• Change fees and difference in fare will be waived if new travel is scheduled March 18 – June 30, 2020. Travel must be between the same cities and in the same cabin class (any fare class) as originally ticketed.
• Change fees only will be waived for rebooked flights departing after June 30, or for rebooked flights to a different city than originally ticketed. The passenger is responsible for any difference in fare.
• Rebooked travel must begin within 12 months of the original ticket issue date.
• United is offering refunds for unflown fights to and from Hong Kong, even for nonrefundable tickets. Affected passengers should submit a refund request form.

Northern Italy Flights

• United said it will waive change fees for northern Italy airports affected by the coronavirus, for flights originally scheduled to depart February 27 – April 30, 2020, provided the original ticket was issued by February 26, 2020.
• Change fees and difference in fare will be waived if new travel is scheduled March 18 – June 30, 2020. Travel must be between the same cities and in the same cabin class (any fare class) as originally ticketed.
• Change fees only will be waived for rebooked flights departing after June 30, or for rebooked flights to a different city than originally ticketed. The passenger is responsible for any difference in fare.
• Rebooked travel must begin within 12 months of the original ticket issue date.
• Airports included:
  • Bologna, IT (BLQ)
  • Genoa, IT (GOA)
  • Milan, IT (BGY)
  • Milan, IT (LIN)
  • Milan, IT (MXP)
  • Rome, IT (FCO)
  • Trieste, IT (TRS)
  • Turin, IT (TRN)
  • Venice, IT (VCE)
  • Verona, IT (VRN)

South Korea Flights

• United Airlines announced it will waive change fees for flights to and from Korea Seoul-Inchon Airport (ICN), for flights originally scheduled to depart February 24 – April 30, 2020, provided the original ticket was issued by February 23, 2020.
• Change fees and difference in fare will be waived if new travel is scheduled March 18 – June 30, 2020. Travel must be between the same cities and in the same cabin class (any fare class) as originally ticketed.
• Change fees only will be waived for rebooked flights departing after June 30, or for rebooked flights to a different city than originally ticketed. The passenger is responsible for any difference in fare.
• Rebooked travel must begin within 12 months of the original ticket issue date.