Wrong birthdate on United ticket – how to correct it?

United Airlines passengers commonly face two situations—unexpected schedule changes and the need to update travel documents such as passport details. Whether your flight time has shifted or you forgot to add your passport information while booking an international itinerary, United provides multiple ways to manage your reservation. This detailed guide explains everything about United Airlines schedule changes, traveler rights, policies, and the complete process to add or update your passport number through the United website, mobile app, and customer service.

This comprehensive article is designed to help beginners, frequent flyers, and international travelers navigate the airline’s system with ease while ensuring compliance with government travel requirements.

Understanding United Airlines Schedule Change Policy

Airlines adjust schedules frequently due to operational requirements, airport availability, crew rest mandates, weather conditions, and global travel guidelines. United follows industry-standard rules for schedule changes, offering passengers several options to modify their plans without fees during qualifying disruptions.

A schedule change occurs when United modifies your originally booked itinerary after ticket purchase. Depending on the duration of the shift and the impact on your travel, you may be entitled to a free rebooking, refund, or alternative flight.

What Counts as a Schedule Change on United Airlines?

A schedule change refers to any alteration made by the airline that affects your itinerary. United’s classification includes:

• Flight departure time changes

• Arrival time modifications

• Flight cancellations

• Significant delays

• Aircraft swaps causing seat assignment changes

• Connection time adjustments

• Route changes, such as removing or adding layovers

Not all minor adjustments qualify for free modifications, but many do—depending on how severely your itinerary is impacted.

Types of Schedule Changes on United

United’s schedule changes typically fall into several categories:

• Minor time changes between 1–30 minutes

• Moderate time changes between 31–59 minutes

• Major schedule changes of 60 minutes or more

• Same-day cancellations

• Next-day rebookings

• Forced rerouting that modifies your connecting airport

Understanding which category your itinerary falls into helps determine what options United must provide.

What Are Your Rights After a United Schedule Change?

United Airlines allows passengers to select from flexible solutions whenever their planned itinerary is disrupted. In most cases, you can make changes for free, regardless of the original ticket rules.

Your options usually include:

• Rebooking to an earlier or later flight on the same day

• Choosing a different routing

• Switching to flights up to 7 days before or after your original travel date

• Obtaining a refund for significant changes

• Requesting a travel credit

• Changing the destination in some cases (depending on disruption severity)

The exact options shown to you depend on the change United made to your itinerary and your fare class.

How United Notifies Passengers About Schedule Changes

United contacts passengers through multiple channels:

• Registered email address

• Phone number associated with the booking

• United account notification

• United mobile app alert

• Travel agent notifications if booked through a third party

Travelers should periodically check their booking, especially if traveling internationally or during peak seasons, because scheduling adjustments may occur several times before departure.

How to Check Whether United Changed Your Schedule

You can verify your itinerary at any time using:

• United.com “My Trips”

• United mobile app

• Email notifications

• Reservation lookup using your confirmation number

• Alerts from travel agents

If your itinerary shows a red or yellow warning, United has modified your schedule.

United Schedule Change – Free Rebooking Options

Many changes allow free itinerary adjustments. Depending on the type, you may change to:

• Any available flight within 24 hours of your original departure

• Flights within a broader multi-day window for major disruptions

• A new routing through a different connecting airport

• Partner flights if United cannot provide suitable alternatives

The airline’s system automatically displays available options once you log into your reservation.

When You Can Request a Refund After a United Schedule Change

A refund may be available if:

• Your departure changes by 2 hours or more (varies slightly by route)

• United cancels your flight and cannot rebook you conveniently

• Your connection becomes impossible

• The new routing increases travel time dramatically

• You refuse the alternative flights offered

Refunds apply even to non-refundable tickets if the change is significant.

How to Contact United for Schedule Change Help

Passengers can get assistance via:

• United customer service phone support

• United’s chat support in the app

• Airport ticket counter

• Social media assistance channels

• Travel agent if the booking was made externally

Agents can often offer additional rebooking options not visible online.

Why Adding Passport Information to Your United Booking Is Important

International passengers must provide several travel document details—passport number, expiration date, nationality, and country of issuance—before check-in. Adding your passport number early helps avoid delays at the airport, issues with online check-in, or last-minute verification problems.

United collects these as part of Secure Flight and APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System), required by U.S. and international regulations.

Can You Add a Passport Number After Booking on United?

Yes. United allows you to add or update passport details anytime after booking and before check-in. Even if you forgot to enter your passport number while purchasing the ticket, you can easily add it later using several methods.

How to Add Passport Number to United Booking – Step-by-Step

Travelers can update passport details through multiple channels—website, mobile app, customer service, airport kiosk, or travel agents. The following sections detail each method thoroughly.

How to Add Passport Number on the United Website

The official website is the most commonly used and simplest method. Follow these steps:

1. Open United.com in your browser.

2. Go to “My Trips.”

3. Enter your confirmation number and last name or log into your MileagePlus account.

4. Select the reservation you want to update.

5. Navigate to the “Traveler Information” or “Edit Traveler Details” section.

6. Locate the “Passport Information” or “Travel Documents” field.

7. Enter your passport number, nationality, issuing country, and expiration date.

8. Save changes.

9. Verify that your updated passport information appears correctly.

Once saved, the details automatically sync with your reservation.

How to Add Passport Number Using the United Mobile App

The United mobile app offers a fast and user-friendly method for updating travel documents.

Steps:

1. Open the United app on your smartphone.

2. Sign in to your MileagePlus account.

3. Tap “Trips” to view your reservations.

4. Select the specific booking.

5. Choose the “Travel Documents” option.

6. Tap “Add Passport.”

7. Enter your passport number and related details.

8. Save the information.

The app may also allow you to scan your passport using your phone camera, reducing errors.

How to Add Passport Number for Someone Else on Your Booking

If you are the primary traveler or booking owner, you can update passport details for anyone traveling with you.

Steps:

• Go to your trip

• Select the co-traveler

• Edit travel document section

• Enter their passport details

• Save

Ensure accuracy, as errors may cause check-in delays.

How to Add Passport Number Through United Customer Service

If you cannot update the passport number online, United agents can help.

You may contact:

• United reservations phone line

• United live chat

• Social media support (may direct you to secure form links)

When contacting customer service, provide:

• Confirmation number

• Full name

• Passport number

• Passport expiration date

• Issuing country

Agents will update your information manually.

Adding Passport Information at the Airport

If time has run out, you can still add your passport details at:

• United check-in counter

• Self-service kiosk

• Bag drop counter

Airport staff may enter the passport details for you if the kiosk cannot read your passport.

Can You Change Your Passport Number After Adding It?

Yes. Travelers might need to modify passport details due to renewal, replacement, or corrections. United allows multiple updates as long as check-in is not yet completed.

You can simply re-enter the new passport information using the same steps previously mentioned.

Passport Requirements for International Travel on United Airlines

Every international traveler must ensure their passport meets all entry requirements for their destination.

Key rules include:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date (for most countries).

• Passport must match the name on your reservation.

• Machine-readable zone must be intact.

• Passport must not be significantly damaged.

Some countries allow less strict rules, but verifying early prevents issues during check-in.

What If Your Passport Is Expired or Will Expire Soon?

United recommends renewing your passport before travel if:

• It expires within six months of your trip

• It is damaged or unreadable

• It has minimal blank pages

If you renew your passport after booking, simply update the new passport number in your reservation.

Adding Passport Information for Children Traveling Internationally

Children need valid passports for international travel, even infants. United enables parents to update minor passenger travel documents through the same reservation interface.

Ensure:

• The child’s passport details are entered early

• Documents match the name in the reservation

• Any visa requirements are also checked

Common Problems When Adding a Passport Number and How to Fix Them

Travelers sometimes encounter issues when updating passport details. These common problems include:

• System not allowing edits after check-in is completed

• Name mismatch between booking and passport

• Invalid passport number format

• Unable to save changes

• Website errors or app glitches

Solutions:

• Cancel check-in if possible and re-enter information

• Contact customer support

• Confirm your booking is under the same legal name

• Try updating via website instead of app

• Ensure your app is updated

Does Adding a Passport Number Affect Your Ticket or Price?

No. Editing or adding your passport number does not affect:

• Fare price

• Seat assignment

• MileagePlus earning

• Status benefits

It simply attaches required information to your reservation to comply with government regulations.

When United Requires Passport Information Automatically

During online check-in for international flights, the system requires:

• Passport number

• Expiration date

• Nationality

• Date of birth

• Gender

• Emergency contact details

• Contact information for destination country

If missing, the system will block check-in until completed.

Why United May Flag Your Reservation for Review

United may require additional review if:

• The passport information does not match personal identity documents

• You updated your passport recently

• Destination countries impose strict entry rules

• A missing visa is detected

This is standard and often resolved by verifying your documents at the airport.

Adding a Passport Number for United Codeshare Flights

If you fly with a partner airline (like Lufthansa, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines), you must update passport details with United and sometimes with the operating airline as well.

Steps:

1. Add passport details to United booking

2. Visit partner airline’s website

3. Update travel document details in their manage booking system

This ensures your information is transmitted correctly.

Does TSA PreCheck Require Passport Number Updates?

TSA PreCheck does not require passport numbers, but:

• Global Entry

• NEXUS

• SENTRI

do require valid passports.

If you have Global Entry, make sure your passport data is updated in your Trusted Traveler account as well.

Tips for Smooth International Travel with United Airlines

• Update your passport details immediately after booking

• Verify your passport validity before confirming tickets

• Double-check visa requirements

• Keep digital and physical copies of your passport

• Arrive early for international flights

• If traveling through multiple countries, check transit rules

• Enroll in United’s alerts for schedule changes

Preparing these aspects prevents travel disruptions and improves your check-in experience.

When United Denies Check-In Due to Passport Issues

United may deny check-in if:

• Your passport expires too soon

• The passport is damaged

• You lack required visas

• The name on ticket and passport do not match

• You previously checked in and need manual corrections

Passengers must resolve these issues before boarding.

Conclusion

United Airlines makes it convenient for passengers to manage both schedule disruptions and required travel document updates. Whether your flight has undergone a schedule change or you need to add, update, or correct your passport number, United provides flexible, user-friendly solutions through the website, mobile app, and customer service channels.

Updating your passport information early ensures smooth check-in, regulatory compliance, and hassle-free international travel. By understanding United’s policies and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage your booking, avoid last-minute issues, and travel with peace of mind.