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If your United Airlines flight is delayed, the airline will try to get passengers on the next available flight that has seats in the cabin booked at no additional cost. Rebooking options and updates are generally available through the United website, the United app, airport kiosks, or at airport help or ticket counters. For significant delays, you might qualify for compensation.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Airlines, including United, are now required to provide compensation for delays
The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines rules that airlines must follow. The DOT states that airlines are now required to compensate for delays for flights departing the U.S.
As of April 2024, airlines must refund passengers in certain situations including:
- A canceled or significantly changed flight when the passenger does not accept alternative arrangements or flight credits.
- Significantly delayed baggage return.
- A passenger pays for services that are not received, like wi-fi or seat selection.
The DOT considers a significant change or delay to be a change in departure or arrival time of more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, departures or arrivals from a different airport, an increase in the number of connections or a downgrade in class of service.
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2. United can offer multiple types of compensation
The types of compensation you can expect will vary based on the delay you're experiencing. If, for example, your delay means you'll be leaving the next day, you may be able to ask for vouchers for a hotel and meals or toiletries.
If a room at a partner hotel is not available and you have to find a room on your own, United might reimburse you for “reasonable hotel costs.”
You might also be able to get a voucher or reimbursement for transportation to and from that hotel if the hotel does not have a shuttle.
Cancellations or delays of more than three hours might be eligible for a meal voucher, either a printed or digital one. This type of compensation is usually for delays or cancellations within United’s control, like a mechanical issue.
If you bought Wi-Fi for a flight and it you missed it or it was delayed or canceled, you can request a refund. Other types of compensation that may be available include vouchers for future flights with United or a lump-sum deposit of bonus miles.
Just remember, if United offers you compensation and you turn them down, don’t expect to get paid back for expenses you find yourself.
» Learn more: The complete guide to United MileagePlus
3. Delayed flights to or from the European Union may entitle you to cash
Any flight within the European Union is protected by EU261, which guarantees compensation if your flight is delayed (if the delay is for a reason that's within the airline's control — such as mechanical issues). This is true whether you're flying on a European airline or a U.S. carrier, such as United. EU261 also protect passengers on flights departing from the EU, no matter the airline.
But for flights headed for the EU but departing from elsewhere, EU261 only protects passengers on EU airlines (in which case you're not entitled to compensation if you flew United, for example).
If your flight is covered, the amount you're entitled to will depend on how much you're delayed and how far your flight travels.
| Flight length | Amount of delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 kilometers or fewer | Two or more hours. | 250 Euros ($268). |
| Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers | Three or more hours. | 400 Euros ($429). |
| Flights longer than 3,500 kilometers | Four or more hours. | 600 Euros ($643). |
» Learn more: Can You Get a Refund on a Nonrefundable Airline Ticket?
4. Check your credit card for trip delay insurance
If United doesn't give you any compensation if a flight is delayed, you may still be entitled to reimburse expenses incurred. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary trip delay insurance. Here is a sampling of a few of these cards along with their travel insurance benefits.
Cards with travel insurance
Annual fee
$95.
$795.
$0 intro for the first year, then $150.
$95.
Travel protections (not a comprehensive list)
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.
• Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for three days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.
• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.
• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
Learn more
The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, for example, will provide you with up to $500 for reasonable expenses incurred by a delay of more than six hours or an overnight stay. You'll need to have paid for some or all of your trip to be eligible for coverage.
Reasonable expenses include:
- Food.
- Lodging
- Medications.
- Toiletries.
- Other personal use items you may need.
5. Self-service options can save time
We've all seen those nightmarishly long lines at customer service desks in the airport when irregular operations occur. While it may seem like a good idea to get in line, there may not be a need.
Airport customer service desks aren't the only ones that can help you with your flight. A self-service kiosk in the terminal or check-in areas can also provide assistance.
United’s website and app can help you rebook yourself or answer questions. The app has an Agent on Demand feature to help if your flight is within 24 hours.
You can also opt to call the airline and ask for help. This can be especially helpful if you have elite status with United. Premier 1Ks, for example, have access to a dedicated phone line that can be much faster than standing in a queue at the airport.
6. You may be able to switch airlines
This tip isn't explicitly related to flight delay compensation, but it may help you get to where you're going more quickly. Many airlines have agreements with other flight providers allowing them to book seats on their flights.
Let's say, for example, that you have a United flight booked from San Francisco to San Diego. However, the flight has been delayed several times, and all United's other flights for the day are booked solid.
When checking other flights out of San Francisco, you see an Alaska Airlines flight departing soon — and it still has seats for sale. You can head to United's customer service desk and ask them to put you on the Alaska flight. They can do so without you needing to leave security or pay additional costs, even if the last-minute seat is costly.
While this isn't a form of compensation, it will get you home sooner than flying with United.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
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