Does United Airlines Compensate For Cancelled Flights?

Yes, United Airlines compensates passengers on cancelled flights in certain cases, providing a variety of remedies such as compensation and financial compensation, rebooking and refunds, depending on the circumstances in a given instance.

Compensation Eligibility

Passengers who suffer due to a cancellation by United Airlines can have a claim to compensation provided that the cancellation was less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date and provided the disruption was not caused by unusual events like intense weather, strike or other factors which are beyond control of the airline. Travellers leaving, or arriving at, EU airports on United flights are entitled to financial compensation of between €250 and €600 according to the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay in reaching their ultimate destination, under EU Regulation. This however applies especially to the flights in or outside Europe.

Types of Compensation offered by the Airline

United airlines passengers are usually entitled to three rights due to flight cancellation:

• Alternate Travel: As per the United Airlines Compensation Policy, the airline has to provide a replacement flight or an alternate flight path to ensure passengers arrive at their destination as near to the scheduled time as possible.
• Full Refund: Travellers who do not want to accept an alternate flight will be entitled to a full refund of their ticket, regardless of the nature of the fare such as non-refundable tickets, in the event of an involuntary cancellation.
• Care and Assistance: United should provide meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transport between the hotel and airport where needed in case of disruptions that might force to wait long or stay overnight.

Financial Compensation

The cash refund of canceled flights, when applicable, is merged by international and EU law to the rules of the United. The amounts widely quoted are between €250, €400 or even €600 per passenger. This only applies as long as the cancellation was during the 14-day timeframe and excluding the extraordinary events. No compensation is given when the substitution flight allows the passengers to reach their destination within a two hour delay. 

Process for Claiming Compensation

In order to file United Airlines Delay Compensation claim passengers must follow the simple steps mentioned below:

• Access the official site of the United Airlines.
• Go to the Customer Service or contact us section and follow the instructions with regard to flight cancellations.
• Search in the compensation claim form. Complete it with the correct information about your flight, including flight number, travel date and purpose of claim.
• After filling in the form and placing any supporting documents as may be required, submit your claim.
• Once you have submitted your claim, you will possibly be sent an acknowledgment email. Keep track of your claim with your account at United or by calling customer support..

On approval of your claim you may be compensated as a refund, travel voucher or other money-order, depending upon the cause of your claim.

Limitations and Exceptions

It is also necessary to mention that in the event of cancellation caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g. severe storms, external strikes, political unrest) United has no obligation to pay financial compensation, though rebooking option are still mandatory.

Some Tips for Passengers

• The compensation of United is not based on the price of the ticket, but on the end result (time of delay/distance).
• On non-refundable tickets, United frequently gives future travel credits, in case a refund cannot be provided; but involuntary cancellations give passengers a full refund.
• Claims can be made within six years of the incident in case of flights that are under EU jurisdiction.

Conclusion

To recap it all, United Airlines reimburses the cancelled flights through rebooking, refunds, care, and in some cases, financial compensation as per the legal provisions of the route which the passenger is flying and the cause of the cancellation.