United Airlines Flight Delays & Cancellations: Refunds, and Rebooking

If your United Airlines flight has been delayed or canceled, the experience can quickly become overwhelming—especially when disruptions ripple through major hubs like Newark, Chicago, or Denver. United operates a massive global network, which can offer more rebooking options than smaller airlines, but it also means delays can cascade quickly when weather or congestion hits.

This guide explains how United Airlines flight delays and cancellations are typically handled, what your refund rights are under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, and what steps are most effective when plans change unexpectedly. Whether you’re dealing with a disruption right now or reviewing a past trip, this page walks through what to expect and what to do next.

For a broader overview of U.S. airline rules, start with this US flight delays and cancellations guide.

How United Airlines Handles Flight Delays and Cancellations

United’s approach to disruptions centers on rebooking passengers within its own network, with more flexibility than ultra-low-cost carriers and somewhat more interline capability than American.

During delays or cancellations, United may offer:

• Rebooking on the next available United flight
• Same-day or next-day rebooking during irregular operations
• Rerouting through alternate United hubs
• Meal vouchers for long delays
• Hotel accommodations for overnight disruptions caused by United

United operates major hubs at Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Rebooking speed and options often depend heavily on which hub is affected.

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Your Refund Rights Under U.S. DOT Rules

Under U.S. DOT rules, United Airlines is required to issue refunds in specific situations—even on non-refundable tickets.

You are generally entitled to a refund if:

• United cancels your flight, or
• United makes a significant schedule change, and
• You choose not to travel

Refunds must be issued to your original form of payment, not as a travel credit, unless you voluntarily accept credit.

These rules apply to all fare types, including Basic Economy tickets.

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What Counts as a “Significant Delay” on United Airlines?

U.S. regulations do not define a fixed number of hours for a “significant delay,” and United does not publish a clear cutoff.

In practice, delays are usually considered significant when they:

• Last several hours
• Cause a missed connection
• Result in overnight travel
• Materially change your departure or arrival time

If United delays your flight significantly and you no longer want to travel, you can usually request a refund instead of rebooking.

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Rebooking Options After a United Airlines Delay

United generally provides more rebooking flexibility than most U.S. airlines due to the size of its network and hub coverage.

Typical rebooking options include:

• Rebooking on the next available United flight
• Rerouting through different United hubs
• Same-day flight changes during irregular operations

United does not routinely rebook passengers on other airlines, but its extensive route map often allows for multiple same-day routing options.

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How to Rebook in the United Airlines App (Step by Step)

The United app is often the fastest way to manage a disrupted flight.

1. Open the United Airlines app or go to united.com.
2. Sign in or retrieve your booking using your confirmation code.
3. Select the affected trip under Trips.
4. Look for a notice such as “Flight Disrupted,” “Flight Canceled,” or “Change Trip.”
5. Review the alternative flights United offers at no additional charge (when eligible).
6. Pay close attention to:
   • Connection times
   • Hub routing (EWR, ORD, DEN, IAH, etc.)
7. Select your preferred replacement flight.
8. Confirm the change and save your updated itinerary.
9. Screenshot the confirmation for reference.

If the app doesn’t show workable options, speaking with a United agent—especially early during major disruptions—can sometimes open additional routing possibilities.

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Hotels, Meals, and Assistance During Delays

When a delay or cancellation is within United’s control, the airline may provide:

• Meal vouchers for extended delays
• Hotel accommodations for overnight disruptions
• Transportation to and from the hotel in some cases

If the disruption is caused by weather or air traffic control issues, United may still rebook you but is not required to provide hotels or meals.

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Does United Airlines Offer Compensation for Delays?

Like other U.S. airlines, United Airlines is not legally required to provide cash compensation for flight delays.

In some situations, United may offer:

• Travel credits
• Mileage deposits
• Vouchers as a goodwill gesture

These offers are discretionary and vary based on the circumstances of the disruption.

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Missed Connections on United Airlines Flights

If a delay causes you to miss a connecting United flight, United will typically rebook you on the next available option at no additional cost.

Missed connections may be more challenging when:

• Disruptions occur at major hubs like Newark or Chicago
• Flights are heavily booked
• The next available flight is the following day

Hotel or meal assistance depends on the cause of the delay and availability.

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What to Do After a United Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation

If your United flight is disrupted, take these steps:

• Save your boarding pass and booking confirmation
• Screenshot delay or cancellation notifications
• Note your actual arrival time
• Ask about rerouting through alternate hubs
• Request hotel or meal vouchers if stranded overnight
• Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses

Clear documentation helps protect your options later.

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Tarmac Delays: Your Rights If You’re Stuck on the Plane

If your delay occurs while you’re already on the aircraft, U.S. DOT rules limit how long airlines can keep passengers on the tarmac.

In general:

• Domestic flights: up to 3 hours
• International flights: up to 4 hours

Airlines must also provide access to restrooms and reasonable food and water during extended tarmac delays, when feasible.

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When Compensation May Still Apply on United Airlines Flights

Most United domestic flights are not eligible for cash compensation. However, compensation may still apply if:

• Your United flight departed from the European Union or United Kingdom, or
• The flight was subject to EU261 or UK261 passenger protection rules

In those limited situations, compensation rules are very different from U.S. regulations.

If you want to understand how international compensation claims work, this AirHelp article tells you how eligibility and claims are handled.

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Summary

United Airlines flight delays and cancellations are handled under U.S. rules that focus on refunds and rebooking, not guaranteed compensation. Because United operates one of the largest hub-and-spoke networks in the world, disruptions can either create many rerouting options—or significant congestion—depending on where the problem occurs.

If United cancels your flight or significantly changes the schedule, you may be entitled to a refund instead of rebooking. Understanding your rights and knowing how to rebook efficiently can make disruptions far easier to manage.