Fake United Airlines Refund, Compensation, and MileagePlus Scam
Fraudsters impersonate United Airlines to offer fake refunds, delayed-flight compensation, or MileagePlus bonus miles, harvesting personal data and charging fictitious processing fees.
Part of: Fake Airline Refund and Compensation Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
United Airlines passengers who have experienced disruptions — delays, cancellations, or lost baggage — are particularly vulnerable to targeted fraud. Scammers monitor news reports of major United disruptions and send mass communications to passengers claiming eligibility for compensation or refunds that require immediate action.
The United MileagePlus loyalty programme, with its accumulated mile balances, is also a recurring target. Fake MileagePlus notifications claim bonus miles are available, an account security review is needed, or that points are about to expire — all designed to capture MileagePlus credentials.
United's genuine refund and compensation processes are fully self-service through united.com and the United app. United does not charge fees to process refunds, and does not contact passengers through unsolicited texts or social media messages to offer compensation.
How this scam works on the United Airlines brand
Fake United refund emails copy United's blue-and-white branding and reference real or fabricated flight numbers. They offer a compensation credit or refund that must be claimed through a link within a tight deadline. The link leads to a fake United sign-in page or a form collecting personal and banking information.
MileagePlus account phishing messages claim unusual activity has been detected or that a bonus promotion is available. The member is asked to sign in through the provided link to 'verify' the account. Once credentials are captured, miles are redeemed for gift cards or tickets transferable by the attacker.
A phone-based variant targets United travellers at airports — sometimes even by approaching travellers in queues and offering to 'expedite rebooking' through a mobile app or website that harvests payment details.
Common red flags
- Compensation or refund email from a sender that is not @united.com
- A deadline creating urgency: 'Claim your compensation in the next 12 hours'
- A fee required to release the refund or compensation
- MileagePlus notification asking you to sign in through an external link rather than united.com
- Social media account offering United compensation for sharing a post or following
- A MileagePlus message does not include your name and MileagePlus number
How to protect yourself
- Submit refund and compensation requests at united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage/delayed-damaged-baggage.html or through the United app
- Check your MileagePlus balance and account security at united.com/ual/en/us/mileageplus.html — do not rely on links in unsolicited messages
- Enable two-factor authentication on your MileagePlus account
- United's real customer service number in the US is 1-800-864-8331 — find all contact options at united.com/contactus
How to report it
- Report phishing emails to United at [email protected]
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If MileagePlus miles were stolen, contact United MileagePlus Customer Service immediately at united.com
- Report fake social media accounts to the respective platform
Frequently asked questions
How do I request a real United Airlines refund?
Submit refund requests at united.com or through the United app under 'My Trips'. The process is free and no processing fee is charged.
Are my MileagePlus miles at risk of being stolen?
Yes — loyalty programme credentials are valuable targets. Use a strong unique password and enable two-factor authentication on your MileagePlus account. Check your activity history regularly for unauthorised redemptions.