United Airlines

United Airlines Review: Smart Rebooking and Free Starlink, Shaky Android Builds

Starlink Wi-Fi: Free With MileagePlus, $8 to $10 on Older Systems

On Starlink-equipped planes, Wi-Fi costs nothing for MileagePlus members, and only members can connect; joining the program is free. The airline counted more than 400 Starlink aircraft in June 2026, expects close to 1,000 by year-end and plans to finish its widebody fleet by summer 2027. On planes with older providers, US domestic and short-haul sessions cost $8 or 800 miles for members and $10 for everyone else. Without paying, messaging stays free and the app still opens the entertainment section on your own device; across seatback screens and the app, the library lists 450+ movies and 1,000+ TV episodes. Rivals match the free part: Delta gives SkyMiles members Delta Sync Wi-Fi on more than 1,200 aircraft, and American has offered AAdvantage members free Wi-Fi since January 2026. Prices may change.

Disruption Tools: Standby on Three Earlier Flights, AirTag Bag Sharing

Since September 1, 2026, a traveler rebooked onto a later flight can join standby on up to three earlier departures to the same destination while keeping the confirmed reservation; the airline watches availability and texts when a seat opens. Self-service tools also offer rebooking and, when eligible, meal and hotel vouchers. The bag tracker covers any active or recent trip with checked bags, and older trips by bag tag number. If a suitcase carries an AirTag or another Find My accessory, Apple's Share Item Location passes its position to customer service. When a flight is canceled or moved by 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally, the refund page cites DOT rules: decline the new itinerary and you get a full refund; accept it and you don't.

Check-In and Changes: No Fee on Most Fares, Strict Rules in Basic Economy

Check-in opens 24 hours before departure; international travelers can scan a passport in the app and confirm visa needs in the Travel-Ready Center. Online check-in needs a United-operated first flight, four segments or fewer and fewer than nine travelers. Most fares, award tickets included, change without a fee in My Trips, and the app lets you join standby for an earlier flight on the same day at no charge. In Basic Economy, the only change is cancel and rebook, with a full refund inside 24 hours of purchase and partial travel credit after that. Checking in on that fare means entering a payment card in case bag fees apply; for tickets bought from April 3, 2026, its checked bag fees start at $45 prepaid, $50 at the counter and $75 at the gate. Fees vary by route and may change.

Location Near Airports and Ad Data: What the September 2026 Policy Allows

The privacy policy, updated September 16, 2026, says that with your consent the app can track your exact location continuously at or near certain US airports to serve location-based offers; precise location and motion data also feed airport wayfinding, baggage handling and connection saving. Under broad state-law definitions, the airline may sell or share most collected data for cross-context behavioral advertising, excluding health, biometric, payment, passport, government ID and precise location data. The App Store label lists data linked to you for third-party advertising, and the age rating notes advertising. Google Play's Data safety section says name, email, address and user IDs may be shared with other companies. Global Privacy Control signals are honored in browsers, Do Not Track is not, and Play lists a deletion request option.