United Airlines Denied Boarding: What You Are Owed

United Airlines denied boarding compensation follows 14 CFR 250.5. The DOT formula applies equally to United as to any US airline:

• ›

  1-2 hour late arrival (domestic): 200 percent of one-way fare, capped at $1,075.

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  2+ hour late arrival (domestic): 400 percent, capped at $2,150.

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  1-4 hour late international: 200 percent, $1,075 cap.

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  4+ hour late international: 400 percent, $2,150 cap.

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  Within 1 hour of scheduled: no compensation owed.

Per United's Contract of Carriage:

1. 1

   Volunteers first: solicited with MileagePlus miles or cash offer.

2. 2

   Lowest fare paid: Basic Economy bumped before regular economy.

3. 3

   Latest check-in time.

4. 4

   Non-elite tier: bumped before elite.

5. 5

   Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, 1K, Global Services: protected in ascending priority.

6. 6

   Unaccompanied minors: protected.

7. 7

   Passengers with disabilities: protected per ACAA.

8. 8

   Basic Economy bundled: typically bumped first.

United often offers MileagePlus miles or travel credit instead of DOT cash. Calculate:

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  50,000 MileagePlus miles vs $1,075 cash: miles at 1.2 cents/mile = $600 effective. Cash wins.

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  100,000 miles vs $2,150 cash: miles = $1,200 effective. Cash wins.

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  $1,500 travel credit vs $1,075 cash: credit at 70 percent = $1,050 effective. Cash wins narrowly.

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  $2,500 travel credit vs $2,150 cash: credit = $1,750 effective. Cash wins.

Cash wins in almost every realistic scenario. United's voluntary-bump offers are structured to make miles or credit look comparable, but rational-passenger math favors cash. Always request cash on involuntary bumps.

DOT formula applies only to involuntary bumps. Voluntary bumps are whatever United offered. Decision tree:

1. 1

   Offered voluntary bump with $300 credit: decline if you would be involuntarily bumped anyway (check arrival-time math).

2. 2

   Offered voluntary bump with $500 credit: still decline usually; involuntary formula produces more cash.

3. 3

   Offered voluntary bump with $1,500 credit: compare to involuntary DOT amount for your flight. Usually decline.

4. 4

   Voluntary bump with stopover option: may be worth it if destination flexibility works for you.

1. 1

   At gate: verify bump is involuntary (volunteers sought first).

2. 2

   Demand DOT formula cash: 14 CFR 250.5.

3. 3

   Get written confirmation of bump and rebook arrangement.

4. 4

   Save receipts: meals, hotel during wait.

5. 5

   Within 24 hours: file claim on united.com/feedback.

6. 6

   Follow up at 7 business days.

7. 7

   File DOT complaint at 14 days if unresolved.

For primary regulatory texts and official guidance cited in this guide, see DOT Aviation Consumer Protection, 14 CFR Part 259 (eCFR), DOT Complaint Portal.

For companion guides see Denied boarding rights winter 2026 edition, Delta denied boarding what you are owed, and Alaska Airlines denied boarding what you are owed. For the pillar see Denied Boarding Compensation Guide.

TravelStacks handles United denied boarding claims at $19 flat. Start a claim in 30 seconds.

For the pillar see US DOT Passenger Rights.