Get Started

Learn more about Credit Cards, Travel Programs, Deals, and more.

United Schedule Change Policy, Refunds Only After One Year

This post may contain affiliate links - Advertiser Disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

New United Schedule Change Policy

New United Schedule Change Policy

United has been hard hit by the decline in travel demand due to coronavirus. The airline has cut back flights and has updates its schedule change policy. The problem is that it has made it worse for travelers and has updated it several times within a few days.

At first it was changed from two hours to 25 hours. That was obviously insane, so after backlash, United lowered the time frame to 6 hours. But it is still worse than it sounds. Reservation agents have been told that if a passenger cannot be rebooked on a different flight, they will receive travel credit valid for one year from date of booking. Only after the year is up, they can receive cash refunds.

Our goal remains to automatically re-book as many customers as possible within 6 hours of their originally scheduled flight. For any customer whose international travel is disrupted by more than 6 hours because of schedule changes resulting from government restrictions, they will retain a travel credit equal to the value of their ticket. That credit can be used towards any flight, to any destination, for 12 months from the time of purchase.

If the customer chooses not to use the credit, they will receive a cash refund at the end of that 12 month period.

Importantly, this new way of helping customers manage through changing flight schedules also applies to residents from other countries who effectively can no longer travel to the U.S. because they would face a 14-day quarantine upon arrival as well as customers impacted more broadly by government-mandated travel restrictions or quarantines.

In addition, this change also maintains our ability to manage our business through this evolving and difficult set of circumstances.

Conclusion

Yes, this latest change is better than 25 hours, but not being able to get a refund right away for a flight you are not able to take through no fault of your own, is crazy. Yes airlines are hurting right now, but just holding on to people’s money is not the right move.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Lower Spend - Chase Ink Business Preferred® 100K!

Chase Ink Business Preferred® is a powerful card that earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points in a broad range of business categories on the first $150K in spend per year. Right now earn 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points after $15K $8K spend in the first 3 months with a $95 annual fee.

Learn more about this card and its features!


Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
DDG
DDGhttp://dannydealguru.com
Based in NYC. Points/miles enthusiast for years and actively writing about it for the last 6+ years at Danny the Deal Guru. I'm always looking out for deals. Making a few bucks is always nice, but the traveling is by far the best part of this business.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related

7,703FansLike
9,903FollowersFollow
16,444FollowersFollow