How to cancel United award ticket and get miles back?

Canceling a United Airlines award ticket and getting your miles returned can be straightforward when you know how the process works. MileagePlus award bookings operate under a different set of rules than paid tickets, and understanding those rules helps you avoid unnecessary delays, lost miles, or confusion.

This guide explains the exact process, eligibility rules, timelines, and expert strategies to ensure you recover your miles efficiently. Whether your plans changed unexpectedly or you found a better redemption, this article walks you through everything with clarity and precision.

United Airlines Award Ticket Cancellation Rules Explained

United Airlines allows most award tickets to be canceled with miles redeposited, but the outcome depends on timing, ticket type, and how the reservation was booked.

What Is a United Award Ticket?

An award ticket is a flight booked using MileagePlus miles instead of cash. Taxes and fees are still paid separately, but the fare itself is covered by miles.

Award tickets may include:

• One-way or round-trip bookings

• Partner airline flights booked through United

• Mixed-cabin or multi-segment itineraries

Eligibility for Miles Redeposit

Most United award tickets are eligible for cancellation with full mileage redeposit when canceled before departure.

You can usually get miles back if:

• The ticket was booked using MileagePlus miles

• The flight has not departed

• The ticket was not used partially

Miles redeposit policies are far more flexible today than in the past, especially for general MileagePlus members.

When You Might Not Get Miles Back

There are limited situations where miles may not be returned:

• The flight has already departed

• The ticket was partially flown

• The booking was made through a third party using restricted rules

Based on publicly available information, there is no confirmed data on miles being returned after departure for unused segments.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cancel a United Award Ticket Online

Canceling online is the fastest and safest method for most travelers.

Step 1: Access Your MileagePlus Account

Sign in to your MileagePlus account using the same credentials used at booking. Award reservations are always tied to the account that redeemed the miles.

Step 2: Locate Your Reservation

Navigate to “My Trips” and enter:

• Confirmation number

• Last name of the traveler

Ensure all flight segments appear correctly before proceeding.

Step 3: Review Cancellation Terms Carefully

Before finalizing cancellation, United displays:

• Miles to be redeposited

• Taxes and fees refund eligibility

• Any applicable restrictions

This screen is your confirmation checkpoint.

Step 4: Confirm Cancellation

Once confirmed:

• Miles are automatically sent back to your MileagePlus account

• Taxes and fees are refunded to the original payment method

You will receive a confirmation message immediately.

How Long Does Miles Redeposit Take?

• Miles: Usually instant or within a few hours

• Taxes and fees: Typically processed within several business days

Important Details That Affect Your Miles Refund

Understanding these details prevents costly mistakes.

Same-Day Cancellations and Award Tickets

Award tickets canceled on the same day of booking generally follow the same redeposit rules as standard cancellations, provided departure has not occurred.

Canceling Partner Airline Award Flights

Partner bookings follow similar rules, but processing time may be longer. Some partner segments require manual verification before miles are redeposited.

Mixed Cash and Miles Bookings

If you used miles plus cash:

• Miles return to MileagePlus

• Cash portion returns to the original payment method

• Promotional cash components may be nonrefundable

Changes vs Cancellation

In some cases, changing an award ticket may be more efficient than canceling, especially if availability is limited. United often allows free changes on award tickets, preserving your miles while adjusting dates.

Expert Strategies to Protect Your Mileage Balance

Experienced travelers use specific tactics to maximize flexibility and avoid losses.

Cancel Before the Last 24 Hours

While United does not charge redeposit fees in most cases, canceling earlier ensures:

• Faster mileage return

• Fewer system delays

• Better availability for rebooking

Avoid Partial Use of Award Tickets

Once any segment is flown, remaining miles may not be fully recoverable. If plans change mid-trip, contact customer support immediately.

Monitor Mileage Expiration

Redeemed miles returned to your account retain their original expiration timeline. Keep activity on your account to prevent expiration issues.

Screenshot Confirmation Screens

Always keep:

• Cancellation confirmation

• Miles redeposit confirmation

• Refund confirmation numbers

This documentation protects you if miles do not post correctly.

Award Ticket Cancellation Compared to Paid Tickets

FeatureAward TicketPaid Ticket

Refund TypeMiles redepositCash or travel credit

Cancellation FeesUsually noneDepends on fare

Refund SpeedFast for milesSlower for cash

FlexibilityHighVaries by fare class

Expiration RiskMileage expiration appliesCredit expiration applies

Award tickets generally offer superior flexibility when compared to basic economy paid fares.

Common Mistakes That Delay Miles Redeposit

Canceling After Departure Time

Even being a few minutes late can block automatic redeposit.

Using Guest Checkout

Award tickets must be managed through the original MileagePlus account.

Assuming Partner Rules Are Identical

Partner airlines may require additional processing time.

Forgetting to Cancel Return Segments

Unused return segments do not auto-cancel when outbound flights are skipped.

Practical Real-World Example

A traveler books a round-trip award flight using 45,000 miles. Plans change one week before departure. They cancel online through MileagePlus, and within minutes, all miles return to their account. Taxes are refunded to the credit card within five business days.

Another traveler waits until after the scheduled departure time. The system blocks automatic redeposit, requiring manual review with no guarantee of recovery.

Timing and method make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Can I cancel a United award ticket for free?

Yes, most award tickets can be canceled without a fee if done before departure.

How long does it take to get miles back after cancellation?

Miles usually return instantly or within a few hours.

Do award miles expire after redeposit?

They follow the same expiration rules as before redemption.

Can I cancel an award ticket booked for someone else?

Yes, as long as it was booked using your MileagePlus account.

What happens to taxes and fees?

They are refunded to the original payment method.

Can I cancel a partially used award ticket?

Recovery may be limited or unavailable after partial travel.

Are partner airline award tickets refundable?

Most are, but processing times may be longer.

Can I change an award ticket instead of canceling?

Yes, changes are often free and preserve your miles.

What if my miles don’t return automatically?

Contact customer support with your cancellation confirmation.

Is it better to cancel or change an award ticket?

Changing is often better if you plan to rebook soon and availability exists.