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United Airlines

2.0
228 complaints

Address

77 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601

United Airlines faces significant operational and customer service challenges, with flight delays/cancellations, rude staff interactions, excessive baggage fees, and pricing discrepancies being the dominant complaint categories. Customers consistently report poor accessibility support, long wait times, and a lack of proactive communication during disruptions.

Common Issues

28% (64)
delayedcancelledpostponed
22% (50)
rude employeeunprofessionalunhelpful
18% (41)
carry-on chargechecked baggage feelost luggage
14% (32)
price increaseunauthorized chargehidden fees
12% (27)
long hold timesno assistanceunable to reach

Complaints

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A sonig

Jul 2, 2021

a rude employee at the gate C101 , Newark airport .

Time of rude behavior 4.

05 pm .

Name is emoliyee: RYAN T

My flight UA4401 was delayed by over 2 hrs .

I politely moved to the gate officer Ryan T .

And stated - HI !

Is the aircraft here .

He replied good afternoon .

I said , great .

He again replied good afternoon , sarcastically for 3 times amd chose not to answer my question .

I was completely take a back .

This is the first time , I am complaining against an United airline employee .

I am a premier member , never felt the need .

This was horrible .

My tone and demeanor was very pleasant through out .

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Erica

May 13, 2021

Per the travel center Ghana where I was traveling required a 3-day PCR test 3 days before departure.

We took the test on Monday at 11:00 because I was concerned about the turn around for the results.

Today on Wednesday we called th testing lab to inquire about the results because we need to be at the airport tomorrow at 11:00.

They sent them, I uploaded them to find out that we took the test 3 hours to early because the 72 hour clock Starts from the time we take the test to the time the plane leaves.

Why didn’t the travel portal say that?.....

Now we can’t fly out and have to oh a $500 difference to change our flight .

My husband is a retired veteran we don’t have extra money to just throw around.

Update the content on your site for clarity .

Also update the FAQ ‘s for customer…

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Amy Inglesino

Mar 18, 2021

I would like to file a complaint.

I had a flight scheduled for Sunday 3/24/21.

I booked my flight with my in cabin pet (paid $250 rt which wasn’t easy).

I tried to check in the night before via United app.

Couldn’t do so, was informed had to check in inside at desk.

Such a nightmare to accomplish that.

I was treated horribly, I’ve never experienced total chaos, lack of assistance and total abuse by the United staff.

I was never informed that rabies vaccination certificate was needed!

I’ve flown with my pet numerous times on United, however not in recent years.

However, United allowed me to book and pay for my pet yet didn’t advise there were new regulations.

I experienced severe anxiety at the airport, waited hours for assistance, was scolded, shamed and treated abusively by…

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Gerardo cruz

Feb 3, 2020

I have several complaints.

1st- when making reservations I was told the price and flight info.

After 24 hours and not receiving any email I had to call several times to get my flight confirmed.

At that time I was told price was a lot higher then the original price I had booked.

2nd- I was told I could have a carry on and when I arrived I was charged $30 for luggage including return flight another $30 3rd- On the return trip back from San Juan PR to Newark airport I was sitting next to an annoying gentleman.

He did not care how much room he took by extending his legs out and not leaving much room for others. he also kept getting up out of his seat to use the restroom causing the others including myself to constently have to get up and down to let him go.

He also had extra baggage with…

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kathleen mcreynolds

Oct 4, 2019

the 9/9/2019 676 ua142 first flight from japan to Denver was delayed 4hours also the attendants were not attentive at all . the flight back to Bangkok was delayed 3 hours we sat on the plane because they had no water I missed my flight in Japan they told me to go to gate 59 b which was going to Singapore after running thru the airport which was a 10 min walk away to be told that was not my flight I could not find the right flight I finally went to a gate and demanded help they finally took me to the right gate which was already boarding I missed my ride in Bangkok to my hotel and did not get to my other hotel until 1 am my next flight left at 6 15 am which gave me only time to take a shower ua 43 to Tokyo flight tg677 to Bangkok also last year when I flew to usa I filed a clain and never…

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Russell Lee Sandridge

Sep 17, 2019

It took an agent any phone 48 minutes to reschedule my flight from Lafayette, La to Midland, Texas I gave her my TSA number but yet she DudNot put it on my Ticket I was told that First Class was full from Houston to Midland and that I was going to be put in Upgraded Economy right behind First class instead I was put in 22B after I call an ask the morning of my flight to get a better seat before that I was in seat 24D WOW what an upgrade I was also Charged $200.

00 for the rescheduling this flight So my TSA Wasn’t put in after I gave it to her My right behind 1ST class seat that I was told I was getting was a Damn Lie Overall This Flight and the monies I paid did NOT reflect the service that I should have received Nothing I was told was correct Overall this airline Putting it Very lightly…

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Lisa Renee Hatch

Jul 11, 2019

On July 8th, 2019 at 4:10pm at the (RNO) Reno airport on flight 1571 I proceeded to board the plane and the United agent was very rude and yelled at me that I could not board the plane with a small bag and my purse..

I was charged $65 to check my bag in.. $25 for handling fee..

My friend whom had two bags was not charged to check bag or was anyone else on the plane that boarded with two bags..

On July 3rd I flew out of XNA with these same two bags and never charged..

I was unaware of this issue or I would of checked my bag in for $40 and avoided a $25 fee..

I felt singled out and no explanation of why I was the only one being charged and no one else..

I believe this was unfair and I felt discriminated against..

This was an awful eperience for me and I wanted to be compensated for…

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Dominique Yarbrough

Jun 30, 2019

I'm a disabled vet and called United about appropriate accommodations for my flight.

I contacted customer service for questions regarding my upcoming flight and first waited over 1 hour and 30 mins to speak to an agent then once I spoke to an agent I was placed in hold for an additional 30 mins only for her to hang up on me without answering a single question.

Very unprofessional for an airline I've utilized many years.

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Kathy Counts

Jun 29, 2019

My daughter (Zoe Elzey15) and I (Kathy Counts) had our flight 934 on 6/22 from Newark Airport to Heathrow Airport delayed 12 hours.

We live 3.

5 hours away from the airport and we only has 5 days in London available to us on this trip.

I am a senior citizen and we were forced to sleep in the airport after standing in a line for over an hour only to be told there were no more hotel rooms available for the night.

We understand that this was a safety issue and are grateful you make safety a priority.

However, the United Airline staff were very unsympathetic in their comments and attitudes and could have been much more helpful.

They could at least given us a toothbrush and wash cloth or a better place to sit.

There was a nice lounge available to the United Airline Staff, but not to us.…

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Kala Thompson

Jun 29, 2019

Planned 30th wedding anniversary with a Viking River cruise and business class airfare.

The Viking cruises are so popular they must be booked over a year out, plenty of time for price checking airfare.

Based in Houston, decided to fly United to Amsterdam.

Belted in and they announced entertainment system down.

Crap.

Bad enough for our first class four hour Las Vegas to IAH return at Thanksgiving but now 10 hours overseas.

Thought we would settle in and hopefully lay dow and sleep in for overnight flight but NO, my expensive, highly touted Polaris flat bed seat would NOT work.

Oscar, the first cabin attendant tried mightily to crank the seat hut could only get the leg rest up.

No other seats available on the plane and I was forced to sit upright...with no movies or…

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Gina Bhalla

Jun 16, 2019

I am premier silver member.

I had an inquiry about my mileage plus account.

Agent by the name of Ms Polk took my call and was very unhelpful and unfriendly.

I was extremely disappointed with her courtesy levels.

I would highly recommend giving her some basic training on friendliness and good customer service so no other customer feels as disappointed as I just did.

Thank you in advance to looking into this matter and taking the appropriate steps.

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Lise Lysight

Jun 15, 2019

Poor assistance for a person with a disability.

I was on a return flight from Hawaii and I had requested a wheelchair with assistance.

When I got off the plane in Toronto the wheelchair was there but no one was there to bring me to pick up my suitcases and make my next flight.

I was travelling with my daughter but she too has medical problems and should not have been pushing me but had to.

We went to speak to a United Airlines representative and when we started speaking - there was no one around him or speaking to him but us, he put his hand up in my face and refused to speak to us.

He kept shaking his head in a no way and didn't speak just kept placing his hand up to show he would not speak to us.

I have travelled all over the world and have encountered some rude people but never…

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Joji Jacob

Jun 11, 2019

Dear United Customer Service Representative:

My family endured a very stressful and humiliating experience today with United Airlines.

My flight was UA flight 59- SFO to Frankfurt on 6/10/19.

The flight time was 1:50p We arrived in line for check in by 11:30 and met with the ticketing agent by 12:00p I provided the agent the above confirmation Codes- PRT96M- this was for my children, Jonah Jacob, and Jeslyn Jacob.

I also provided Confirmation code- N8L292- for myself, Joji Jacob, Bobby Jacob (wife), Yasmin Jacob, and Sherin Jacob- 2 dtrs.

The agent stated "there is a problem you only have 4 tickets ticketed and confirmed" I tried to ask what was the issue but she became very short and kurt with me, saying " I am working on it.

I need you to relax." Then a supervisor said that my kids…

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James Taylor

Jun 7, 2019

I was charged $300 to change a flight reservation.

Barrhead travel have confirmed that I should not have been charged as the flight time was changing anyway due to a schedule change.

Please refund my $300.

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Laura Marshall

Jun 4, 2019

My husband and I have been with Mileage Plus for over 20 years.

The actual flight from Seattle to Denver on June 3rd at 6:30 am went fairly well.

I thought the crew was exceptional.

The major thing that wasn't o.k. with my experience was the fact that I couldn't be prepared with my boarding pass the night before because I wasn't checking in luggage.

I was worried about returning a rental car and getting to an early flight on time, adding to that the need to have an United rep check me in was ridiculous.

Luckily there wasn't a huge line at the United SeaTac counter, but the night before I was worried about that too!

We fly a fair amount and want a comfortable, easy experience.

This pre- flight experience was very stressful.

Please don't punish people for traveling light, post the…

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william A cooper

May 24, 2019

Arrived 0530 on 20 May for my 0700 Flt from Charlotte NC, connecting in Houston, Tx for San Jose, Ca.

Bag Ck had seven lines but only two (2) ladies asst in Bag's, and boarding pass ect. they ran fr one station to another ( We had our boarding pass and pre paid bags).

At 0610 (40 min wait) We were told our flt was "CLOSED" No more bags, no flts for today avail.

We had 50 min tell flt time (??) Lady gave me 1-800 number to call.

40 min on hold and was told we could get a 0625 Flt. on 21st.

Stayed in Marriott overnight. arrived at 03:30 for a sure processing time.

We paid for an up grade of seats for the 20th flt but had to take what was available (21st) Charlotte to Denver connect for San Jose, Ca.

Seat were was good except for San Jose flt. we had Middle seats far separated.

I…

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christopher taugner

May 22, 2019

I was on flight UA 669 from DEN to MSP on Monday May 20th which was supposed to depart at 19:50 but was delayed until a 20:45 departure time.

Boarding ended at 20:30 and we were kept on the concourse until we took flight at 00:00 which is 3 and 1/2 hours of waiting on the tarmac which is illegal.

I am 6' 2" and have back problems.

This caused severe cramping and took me about 2 days to recover from it.

When I look up the flight it shows it landing at 00:39.

That is a complete lie and cover up since it did not land until almost 03:00.

I expect someone to get back to me on this rather than forcing me to go to the Dept. of Transportation to file a complaint.

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Robert Crowe

May 21, 2019

My wife and I booked a trip on Feb-5th for a May 10th vacation, as we often do with United.

This trip was to the Bahamas ( Exuma ) to be specific.

The flight Friday morning was delayed 30 min due to bad weather.

Totally understandable, this had no impact on our final flight as we had a 1.

5 hour layover in Ft.

Lauderdale.

This is where the trouble began with SILVER AIRLINES FLIGHT TO EXUMA !!

The flight ( UA 3072S ) boarded 1 hour late as we watched the maintenance crew in the tail of the plan we wondered what was going on.

We then proceeded to leave the gate, then abruptly turned around and de-boarded.

We were told for 5 hours that Silver was bringing another plane to take us to Exuma.

After 6 hrs of waiting in the airport they cancelled the flight.

The next morning the flight…

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Terri Ann Martin

May 8, 2019

May 7, 2019

Terri Ann Martin 2814 Eliston Street Bowie MD 29716

To whom it may concern I am writing to seek your assistance about my recent extremely frustrating experience I had with your airline.

On April 26, 2019 I was scheduled to fly on united airline flight number UA4ON.

Ticket number 0162443205462.

Washington Dc to Newark, NJ then Newark NJ to Port Of Spain Trinidad.

After arriving at the airport , well in advance of my flight.

I was informed that my Flight was canceled.

In return I was given a ticket to take Amtrak.

Train was leaving @ 5:45pm took a taxi which I had to pay out of my pocket.

Which cost me 35.

00 because it was rush hour.

Got to the train have to get help with my bags which was 20.

00.

Got to Newark Airprt they mess up my ticket entering wrong name.

It…

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Rita A Seffrood

May 4, 2019

Had a flight to Lubbock Texas on April 24th which was very good, but the return flight on April 30th was the most frustrating flight I ever had.

I called 3 times to get information but nobody seem to knw what to tell me.

They were suppose to call me back and I never got a call It wasn't any better at the airport either.

Was suppose to have a window seat and got an aisle seat.

Your Houston staff is very unfriendly and not very helpful.

I fly to Lubbock frequently but not sure I will fly United again after all that frustration.

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Steven Sorcold

May 2, 2019

Locator T892ZM.

April25, Departed CAK to Houston.

Flt 6041.

Ran from plane to gate to catch Flt 6292 to Tucson and status showed early.

We weren't that late and they let the plane go.

Also an unannounced gate change after the sprint to a different gate area not nearby caused a missed connection.

Offered standby on next flight, food coupon and $75.

OK.

On return flight 4/30 Flt 1062 weather in Chicago prevented n on time departure but the connection was delayed the same amount so should be ok.

Before we took off the connecting Flt 3876 to CAK was cancelled.

It is the last flight to CAK. got put onto a Flt to Cleveland Flt 2204. wife had to get kids out of bed to come get me.

Can you do anything to compensate me for the issues?

The weather was good enough to land and take off on…

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June Robert s

Apr 30, 2019

i checked in at 6 am for a flight from Eugene Oregon to Ontario, CA; I chose luggage which had a sticker saying it was officially take aboard size.

United is well known for th;eir one bag policy so i had all my items in the one bag including my laptop.

The ticket agent said i would have to check the piece and charged me $30.

All my medication was in the bag/ I noted many people who had oversized luggage including duffle bags on the flight.

In San Francisco, my one stop, after missing a connection, having no medication and carrying my purse and laptop for 4 h ours I was sick I noted a flight to Eugene and the attendant was telling the travelers they would collect bags ala carte without a charge. i a disabled older woman requiring a wheelchair and i feel this wad a clear case of…

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Tatzyana Sue Wachter Holden

Apr 23, 2019

I would like to file a complaint first of all with your Disability Department.

Amanda Kreiss who is disabled and I travelled on Wednesday the 17th of April from Chicago to San Francisco and then on to Maui.

Our first flight was 499.

The disability desk took forever to get Amanda checked in and we had very little time to get to the gate.

When we arrived in San Francisco there was nobody to pick her up although she had been told by disability that they would help her all through her trip.

We went to Customer Service in San Francisco to confirm that there would be someone with an aisle chair to take her onto the plane.

When we got there there wasn't one and the disability person took her in a chair that can't fit on the plane.

She was not doing well and managed to get on and was placed…

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Guido Kraus

Apr 13, 2019

My family and me are heading for the spring breake to Europe.

Due the delay of the flight from ORF to IAD this afternoon, Apr 12th, we missed our flight to VIE for 5 minutes.

The next connection even with an additional lay over via FRA has dealyed us for about 12 hrs and we had to wait with our 7-year old daughter for about 5hrs in Dulles.

Hence, I had to feed our family for $80.- and we´re starting much too late in order to catch with the people, who are waiting for us.

Asking at the United desk at the C1 gate dealing with the flight to FRA depating at 22.

20, UA932, for an upgrade as compensation or a voucher, we were rejected.

It´s not the first time that United is perfoming like that.

My frustration is manifest and paramount.

I´d pay double the price, if there would be an…

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Peter Holt

Apr 1, 2019

I traveled Business Class from Heathrow to EWR yesterday (March 31) on UA 940 Seat 3L to find the seat not working.

The plane was full and my wish to sleep was prevented.

The crew member who tried to assist told me to complain to you.

It was a most uncomfortable flight.

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