While there is no current active settlement specifically titled “United Airlines Ticket Change Fee Settlement,” this article clarifies what actually exists: United Airlines eliminated change fees for most domestic flights as of 2025, and there is a historical 2018 settlement related to booking credit fees. For passengers who were charged change fees before this policy took effect, or who have disputes about their current flight changes, understanding your rights under United’s current policy and any past settlements is essential. This guide explains what the current no-fee change policy means, the historical settlement background, and what customers can realistically claim today.
The bottom line is that United no longer charges fees to change most domestic flights—you only pay fare differences if you switch to a more expensive flight. However, basic economy tickets and international flights have specific restrictions, and knowing these limits helps you avoid unexpected costs. We’ll walk you through United’s change policy details, examine what compensation may have been available in past settlements, and explain how to handle disputes if United charges you unexpectedly.
Table of Contents
- Does United Airlines Charge Change Fees in 2025?
- The 24-Hour Cancellation Window and Full Refunds
- The 2018 United Airlines Booking Credit Settlement
- What Can You Actually Claim Today?
- Important Limitations and Restrictions
- How to File a Complaint if You’re Charged Unexpectedly
- The Future of Airline Change Policies
Does United Airlines Charge Change Fees in 2025?
United airlines has waived change fees for most domestic flights, meaning you can change your flight without paying an additional fee beyond any fare difference. This applies to standard economy and premium cabin tickets booked on United directly. If you switch to a cheaper flight, you receive the difference as a credit; if you switch to a more expensive flight, you pay the difference. Basic Economy tickets, however, have restrictions—they may not be changeable at all depending on when you booked, and any changes must be made at least 24 hours before departure.
For international flights, United’s change policy differs. While some international flights allow free changes, others may have restrictions or require you to contact United directly. The key limitation is that no change fee doesn’t mean your change is free overall; it just means you’re not charged an extra administrative fee on top of fare differences. For example, if you booked a $300 domestic flight and want to change to a $400 flight, you pay $100—not $300 plus $100.
The 24-Hour Cancellation Window and Full Refunds
United offers a 24-hour cancellation guarantee that applies to all tickets: if you purchase any flight and cancel within 24 hours with departure at least 7 days away, you receive a full refund. This is separate from the change fee policy and provides a safety net for quick decision-making. However, this window is strict—cancellation must happen within the first 24 hours of purchase, and if your departure is fewer than 7 days away, this guarantee doesn’t apply.
Be aware that this 24-hour refund window does not require you to accept a credit; you get actual cash back. This differs from the change fee policy, where changes result in fare credits rather than refunds. If you want a refund instead of a change, you must act within that 24-hour window or request a refund through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent mandatory refund rules for flight cancellations or significant delays.
The 2018 United Airlines Booking Credit Settlement
In 2018, United settled claims that it charged fees when passengers attempted to use credits from previously cancelled tickets to book new flights. Under that settlement, affected customers who paid extra fees to apply their cancellation credits could claim compensation.
While this settlement is now closed, it illustrates a pattern where United has faced legal pressure to make its policies more transparent and customer-friendly. If you were charged fees for booking with a credit between 2015 and the settlement’s closure, you may have been part of the settlement claims period, though submitting a claim at this point is no longer possible. This historical case shows that United’s practices have been scrutinized by regulators and courts, leading to the more permissive policies in place today.
What Can You Actually Claim Today?
Today’s claims opportunities with United are limited under the old-fee structure because change fees no longer exist for most flights. Your practical remedies are: (1) contacting United directly if you were charged a change fee incorrectly, (2) filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation if United refuses to provide a refund for a cancelled flight, or (3) disputing the charge through your credit card company if you believe the fee was unauthorized.
If you paid a change fee before 2025 when United’s policy changed, you may have grounds to request a refund by citing the policy change, though United is not legally required to reimburse historical fees under a specific settlement. The comparison here is important: settlements provide a structured claims process with predetermined payouts, whereas policy changes offer no formal compensation mechanism. Your strongest use is written documentation of what you paid and when.
Important Limitations and Restrictions
Basic Economy tickets come with significant restrictions you must understand before purchasing. These ultra-low-fare tickets often cannot be changed or are subject to change fees even under United’s waived-fee policy; always check your ticket type before assuming a free change applies. Additionally, United reserves the right to charge change fees if you change to a flight in a higher service class (for example, changing economy to premium economy or business class).
Another critical limitation: waived change fees apply only to changes within the same airline (United). If you want to change to a different airline, you must request a refund instead, which falls under the 24-hour window or the Department of Transportation’s cancellation rules. Mistakes about ticket type or airlines frequently trap passengers into unexpected fees, so reading your confirmation email carefully is essential before attempting a change.
How to File a Complaint if You’re Charged Unexpectedly
If United charges you a change fee that you believe violates their current policy, your first step is contacting United customer service with your booking reference and ticket details. Request written confirmation that the fee was applied in error, and ask for a refund. Many disputes are resolved quickly if United made a mistake in their system.
If United refuses or doesn’t respond within a reasonable timeframe, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. The DOT takes change-fee disputes seriously, especially when they contradict published policies. Include screenshots of United’s change-fee policy page and your transaction confirmation showing the disputed charge.
The Future of Airline Change Policies
United’s move to eliminate change fees reflects a broader industry shift and regulatory pressure. The DOT has been increasingly vocal about requiring transparent refund policies and fair treatment of passengers, particularly after the pandemic exposed how airlines handled massive flight cancellations. While current policy favors consumers by waiving change fees, this could shift if regulations change or if competition decreases.
Looking ahead, monitor any announcements from United about policy reversals, especially if they attempt to reintroduce change fees for specific fare types. Consumer advocacy groups and the DOT have made clear that arbitrary or hidden fees face regulatory scrutiny. For now, the no-change-fee policy is a genuine win for customers—use it wisely by understanding the exceptions for basic economy and international flights.