alt Hacker NewsIn California, you have 24 hours to cancel any booking. The fact that United makes it hard to do so is a choice they’ve made.
They should meet the customer where they are instead of being antagonistic to their customer by default
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I don't know if something has changed recently, but I canceled a United booking once within that 24 hour period. I don't remember it being particularly difficult. I did it on the website.
Disagree. An agent could theoretically continually book, then cancel a flight to hold a seat as a means of price watching.
However United can (and will) ban problematic customers. This policy just gives them something to point to as to why the customer was banned.
United’s pretty easy. I’ve canceled many flights and received many vouchers or refunds. Honestly, United is quite good. App is top class. I like flying United out of SFO since it’s a pretty good experience.
That’s a federal law.
I have never had a problem canceling a flight within 24 hours, and I do not live in California nor do I fly there often. No idea if this is a law or just what airlines do.
You have probably mixed up United with another airline, as many commenters (including myself) have experienced the exact opposite--United's cancellation process is one of the easiest (within the first 24 hours) and is still fairly simple after the 24 hour window.
Delta has had this forever, in every state. And it's very easy.
The customer yes, not the customer's crappy bot.
it's a single button with instant cancellation after typing in your name and pnr so what are you talking about
These companies have had so many fristrating policies for years — and this one is what you’re worried about?
HN has a policy of not posting AI generated slop on here. Why aren’t you lamenting how they should just let you be “you”? Why can’t LinkedIn just let “me” send 10,000 messages per day using my trusty bot?
It is not hard to cancel United bookings within 24 hours. Even after 24 hours their change and cancel policies are really reasonable. With the exception of basic economy you get a future flight credit and there are no change fees for modified flights.
People using AI agents to book travel are just lazy as hell.
In every state you can pay the full retail price for a refundable ticket.
> In California, you have 24 hours to cancel
Thats a DoT requirement all flights to, from or within the US. (7 or more days before departure)
Cancelling a United flight is one of the easiest cancellations I've dealt with, their app is one of the best but its just as simple from the website