United Airlines Last-Minute Flight Change: Cost and Options

Quick Answer Box

• You can't change United Airlines Basic Economy tickets at the last minute.
• You can change Basic Economy only by canceling within 24 hours of booking, and only if the flight is at least a week away.
• You can change Standard Economy, Premium Plus, Business, and First Class tickets at any time before departure by paying a change fee.
• Changing a flight requires you to pay the fare difference if the new flight costs more than the original one.

United Airlines passengers can make last-minute flight changes up until check-in closes before departure. The change rule also allows standard ticket holders to modify their itineraries without penalty fees. However, the exact options, costs, and guidelines depend on the ticket type and how close the departure is.

Usually, Basic Economy tickets are the only exception to the no-change-fee policy. Passengers must follow specific rules when changing or modifying a Basic Economy flight.

What is United Airlines Last-Minute Flight Change? 

UA Last-minute flight change lets you change an existing airline reservation before departure, including regular itinerary changes and same-day flight changes on the scheduled travel date. However, your options depend on your ticket and the type of change you need.

Domestic flights generally close check-in 30-40 minutes before departure, and international flights 60 minutes before. Therefore ,you must finalize your change before these cutoffs. Failing to do so, your ticket will be forfeited as a no-show if you don't fly on the original flight that you booked. Below are the basic rules you should know before changing a flight shortly before departure:

• If your new flight costs more than the original flight, you will have to pay the last-minute fare difference.
• If the last-minute flight change gets you a cheaper flight, we'll return the leftover amount as Future Flight Credit (valid for 12 months).
• For same-day confirmed changes, you must book the new flight with the same origin and destination airports. You cannot change the cities at the last minute without re-pricing the entire ticket at current last-minute rates.
• You can make last-minute changes to a flight only on United Airlines- or United Express-operated flights. If the flight is a codeshare operated by a partner airline, you must contact customer service.
• Passengers who have already checked in their bags for the original flight can transfer them to a new flight only if the new flight departs at least 60 minutes (domestic) or 90 minutes (international) later. 

Do I have to pay a Change Fee for Last-Minute Flight Changes?

United charges $0 in change fees for standard Economy, Premium Economy, and First Class tickets on domestic U.S. and most international flights. However, based on your ticket types and how you change your flight, you may have to pay a fare difference or a same-day change fee. Flight change fee rules you must know about:

• If you hold United MileagePlus Premier status, you can choose a Same-Day Confirmed Change for free.
• To qualify for the flat $75 same-day confirmed change option, the origin and destination airports must remain the same.
• Basic Economy tickets cannot be changed or swapped at the last minute. The only option for a Basic Economy ticket is the Same-Day Standby for $0.
• Standard Economy, Economy Plus, United Premium Plus, United Business, United First, United Polaris Business Class, and Award Tickets are eligible for a $0 Change fee.
• International flights originating outside the U.S. may still carry a change fee depending on local country regulations and fare rules.

What is United Airlines Same-Day Flight Change?

The Same-Day flight change is a flexible program that lets passengers switch to a different flight on the day of travel, with a rolling 24-hour window before the original flight departs. Same-day flight changes apply only if the new flight's origin and destination airports match the original flight.

Partner airlines or any codeshare flights are ineligible for automated same-day changes.

Same-Day Standby is free. However, seats aren't guaranteed, and passengers are assigned a seat at the gate right before boarding only if a ticketed passenger fails to show up or the flight has empty seats. You can join the standby list 24 hours before the original flight departure.

When applying for standby, the origin and destination airports must remain the same.

For more detailed information on the Same-Day Standby policy, check this Same-Day Standby Policy Guide.

Last-Minute Flight Change Cost by Fare Type

The table below is a detailed insight of how change cost varies across the fare type.
 

Basic Economy Last-minute Change Fee and Rules?

Basic Economy is the most restrictive cabin class, and United Airlines does not allow direct last-minute changes. You can cancel Basic Economy flights within the initial 24-hour booking window to get a full refund and rebook. Make sure you book a flight at least a week before departure.
 

Basic Economy tickets are only eligible for Same-Day standby. You can add your name to the waitlist for an earlier flight departing on the same calendar day for free.

To get more benefits, upgrade your Basic Economy ticket to Standard Economy. The upgrade service fee typically starts at $75 per direction for domestic and $149 per direction for international flights.
 

For detailed rules on Basic Economy last-minute flight change fees and rules, check the United Basic Economy Change and Cancellation Rules guide. 

Is There Any Fee For MileagePlus Award Ticket Last-Minute Changes?

United Airlines charges a $0 change fee for MileagePlus award tickets, even for last-minute changes. Passengers can modify their itinerary or completely cancel their trips and get back the miles without penalty. The critical timing, mileage, and no-show rules are given below:

• You must make last-minute flight changes to an award ticket before the original flight departure time. If the flight departs and you make no changes to the booking, the miles used for booking will be locked, and you will be charged a $125 service fee to redeposit them.
• Even if the last-minute change fee is $0, passengers with an award ticket must pay any mileage difference required for the new flight. If the new flight costs fewer miles, United will return the extra miles to the MileagePlus account.
• Any cash paid for government taxes and security fees will be adjusted based on the new routing or refunded to the source account.
• Passengers can modify an award flight online or via the official United mobile app for free. If the modification requires telephone assistance, passengers must pay a $25 service fee (waived for Platinum and 1K elite members).
• Award flight ticket passengers can join the standby list for an earlier flight on the same day for $0.
• General MileagePlus members must pay a $75 fee to lock in a confirmed seat on a different flight on the same day. Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K members don't have to pay any fee.

How to Change a United Flight at the Last Minute- Step-by-Step Process?

Passengers can make last-minute flight changes within 24 hours of departure through the official digital platforms or several in-person and phone-based alternatives.

Step 1: Log in to the United Airlines Mobile App or visit the website and go to My Trips.

Step 2: Handle your check-in status. If you've already checked in, click Uncheck In to remove the itinerary restrictions.

Step 3: Next, click Change Flight or tap View Flight Options directly on your digital boarding pass.

Step 4: Select an alternate flight departing within the same-day 24-hour window.

Step 5: Now select the change tier, choose Same-Day Confirmed to lock in a guaranteed seat or Same-Day Standby to join the waitlist for free.

Step 6: Review the changes to confirm the last-minute fare difference or same-day fees. Pay the fare difference and confirm the change.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my United Airlines flight at the last minute?

Yes. Eligible reservations can be changed through United Airlines trip-management tools, subject to ticket eligibility and available replacement flights.

How much does it cost to change a United Airlines flight at the last minute?

United has eliminated change fees for most Economy and premium-cabin tickets on eligible itineraries, but you may still have to pay a fare difference.

Do I have to pay the fare difference when changing a United Airlines flight?

Yes, if the replacement flight costs more. A waived change fee does not necessarily mean the new flight costs the same.

Can I change my United Airlines flight on the same day?

Yes, eligible travelers may have same-day options, including a confirmed same-day change (with a confirmed seat) or standby (waiting), depending on the reservation and available flights.

Can I change to an earlier or later United Airlines flight on the same day?

Yes. You may be able to move to an earlier or later flight through same-day confirmed change or standby options, subject to eligibility and seat availability.

Can I get a confirmed seat when changing my United Airlines flight on the same day?

Yes, if your reservation qualifies for a same-day confirmed change and an eligible seat is available. Otherwise, same-day standby may be an alternative.

Can I change a United Airlines Basic Economy ticket at the last minute?

Basic Economy tickets have more restrictive change rules than standard Economy and premium-cabin tickets. Check the specific reservation in My Trips or the United Airlines flight-change tool to see what change options are available.

Cheapflightsfares is an independent agency and is not affiliated with American Airlines. The given policies are subject to change. It is always advisable to verify current policies published by American Airlines on their official website.