24/7 Customer Support: Call Us at +1 (866) 463-5899 (OTA). United Airlines understands that emergencies can disrupt travel plans, and the airline has specific policies in place to accommodate passengers facing unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s a medical emergency, a death in the family, or other critical situations, United offers flexibility to help passengers manage their cancellations. Here’s a comprehensive guide to how United Airlines handles cancellations due to emergencies:

1. Types of Emergencies Recognized by United Airlines
United Airlines generally recognizes the following emergencies as valid reasons for special cancellation consideration:

Medical Emergencies:
Situations where the passenger or an immediate family member is hospitalized or critically ill.
Bereavement:
The death of an immediate family member.
Government or Military Orders:
Mandatory travel restrictions or last-minute military deployments.
Natural Disasters or Severe Weather:
If travel is impacted by major weather events such as hurricanes or blizzards.
2. Cancellation Policies for Emergencies
Refundable Tickets
Passengers holding refundable tickets can cancel at any time for a full refund, regardless of the reason.
Emergency documentation is typically not required for refundable fares.
Non-Refundable Tickets
United Airlines provides some leniency for non-refundable tickets in emergency situations:
Passengers may be eligible for a full or partial refund, depending on the nature of the emergency.
Alternatively, United may waive cancellation fees and issue a travel credit for future use.
Documentation, such as a doctor’s note, hospitalization records, or a death certificate, is often required to process these requests.
Basic Economy Tickets

Basic Economy fares are highly restrictive and typically do not allow changes or cancellations.
In emergencies, United may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Supporting documents are crucial in these cases.

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Award Tickets
For tickets booked using MileagePlus miles, United may waive cancellation or redeposit fees during emergencies.

Passengers must provide proper documentation, and miles are usually redeposited to the account.
3. Requesting a Cancellation Due to Emergencies
Steps to Take:

Contact United Airlines Customer Service:
Call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) to explain your situation and begin the cancellation process.
Provide Documentation:

Submit any required documentation, such as:
A doctor’s note or hospital discharge summary for medical emergencies.
A death certificate for bereavement cases.
Proof of deployment orders for military-related changes.

Follow Up Online:
If additional steps are needed, United may direct you to their Refund Request page to upload documents and complete the process.
4. Fee Waivers and Travel Credits
United Airlines often waives fees for cancellations due to emergencies, particularly when documentation is provided.

If a refund is not granted, the airline typically issues a travel credit that must be used within one year of the ticket purchase date.
5. Exceptions During Major Crises
During significant global or regional crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or widespread natural disasters, United Airlines may implement broader cancellation policies, including:

Waiving fees for all ticket types.
Offering extended travel credits or full refunds without requiring documentation.

6. Final Thoughts
United Airlines aims to accommodate passengers facing emergencies with compassion and flexibility. While refundable tickets offer the easiest solutions, passengers with non-refundable or Basic Economy fares can still request special consideration by providing appropriate documentation. Contacting United’s customer service team promptly and following their guidelines is essential for a smooth resolution during these challenging situations.