Does United refund the difference if the price drops?
Usually, yes — as Future Flight Credit rather than cash. On most United tickets other than Basic Economy you can rebook the exact same flights at today’s lower fare, and United returns the difference as credit against a future trip. The catch is that the window is yours to spot: United does not monitor your fare or tell you when it falls.
How to claim it
Open My Trips on united.com, choose "Change flight", and rebook the same flights at the lower fare. The difference is issued as Future Flight Credit.
- You get back
- Future Flight Credit
- Does not apply to
- Basic Economy tickets
- Phone
- +1 800 864 8331
Farewatch is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by United Airlines.
Common questions
Is the difference paid back in cash?
No. United issues it as Future Flight Credit, which you put toward a later United booking. It does not go back to your card.
Does it work on Basic Economy?
No. Basic Economy is excluded. Those fares generally cannot be changed, and changing the booking is exactly how the difference is released.
Where does Future Flight Credit actually show up?
United issues it against the original ticket and confirms the amount and expiry by email when the change goes through. Keep that email: the amount and the expiry date are the two things you will need when you come to spend it.
Will a change fee cancel out the saving?
That depends on your ticket’s own fare rules, which vary by route and fare brand. United shows any fee during the change flow before you confirm, so you can see the net result first.
Does this apply to award tickets booked with miles?
No — this guide is about cash fares. Award bookings follow separate rules for redeposits and mileage differences, and the economics are not comparable.
How would I know the fare has dropped?
By checking your own flights over and over until departure. Farewatch does that automatically — re-pricing the exact itinerary you booked each day and telling you when the difference is worth claiming.