United Airlines - Changing non-refundable ticket to refundable and then cancelling?

[clay]

Because of some family health issues, we're cancelling a family trip. United Airline tickets are "Economy", which specify "Free change, possible fare difference", as opposed to cheaper "Basic Economy" with "no ticket changes" "no upgrades" and the more expensive "Economy Fully Refundable" class. 

We will probably take the trip next summer, but it's really too far ahead for us to rebook as things can get added to our calendars which would impact when we take the trip. I could re-book tickets now for some arbitrary summer date and we just hope that it lines up (using the same "Economy" fare level, to allow for possible change if needed). Had a thought, though, that I could cancel our current tickets, rebook using the credit at the higher "Economy Fully Refundable" level, and then just cancel altogether so they money is sitting in my bank account rather than United's. 

Is this a legitimate loophole or am I missing some catch that will make this impossible?

[chopper]

Because of some family health issues, we're cancelling a family trip. United Airline tickets are "Economy", which specify "Free change, possible fare difference", as opposed to cheaper "Basic Economy" with "no ticket changes" "no upgrades" and the more expensive "Economy Fully Refundable" class. 

We will probably take the trip next summer, but it's really too far ahead for us to rebook as things can get added to our calendars which would impact when we take the trip. I could re-book tickets now for some arbitrary summer date and we just hope that it lines up (using the same "Economy" fare level, to allow for possible change if needed). Had a thought, though, that I could cancel our current tickets, rebook using the credit at the higher "Economy Fully Refundable" level, and then just cancel altogether so they money is sitting in my bank account rather than United's. 

Is this a legitimate loophole or am I missing some catch that will make this impossible?

Typically the airlines have every loophole covered on the cheap tickets but United can be good eggs out of all of the majors. Did you try running this by United or a reddit for united travel?

[Gareth]

Is this a legitimate loophole or am I missing some catch that will make this impossible?

If you did do this, I doubt you'd get a full refund to your credit card.  Chances are, the refunds would go back to the "original payment method."  So, the newly spent money on the refundable fare would go back to your credit card, but the amount of the original tickets would probably go back to a flight credit.

[clay]

Is this a legitimate loophole or am I missing some catch that will make this impossible?

If you did do this, I doubt you'd get a full refund to your credit card.  Chances are, the refunds would go back to the "original payment method."  So, the newly spent money on the refundable fare would go back to your credit card, but the amount of the original tickets would probably go back to a flight credit.

this is kind of what I was expecting to happen if attempted.

[dk61]

Last time I cancelled a United non-refundable ticket, I got flight credit that I could use for a year, no need to book a specific date. I had no problem applying it to the next trip I took. So you do not need to specify a date at this point, but there would be no money sitting in your account.

[davester]

I think that its pointless having us speculate on it. Use the direct approach. Call the airline and ask them.