cblaisd

Had a question come up that I don't know the answer to : Does UA offer something akin to a gift card or gift certificate that can be given to someone and the recipient can use to purchase flights up to the balance of the cert?

1K_From_SNA

Not sure about a gift certificate but you could always purchase an MCO.

cblaisd

Yeah, that's a better term in this context

Do MCO's retain residual value when partially used?

elCheapoDeluxe

I looked into the gift certificates a while ago. Turns out that you CAN buy them, but it has to be done at a ticket counter.

tattikat2

Hello. I recieved a gift cert for my birthday earlier this year. It was very nice . Dark blue embossed sleeve,parchment insert etc. I think you can buy them over the phone with a CC at this # 1-800 241 6522.

cblaisd

Thanks for the info! Is it like a "regular" gift certificate where you can use the value in whatever increments you want, or like a VDB where you get no residual returned, or ??

tattikat2

Gift cert redemption.

the cert is redeemable for ticket purchases from United,shuttle by united or united express. It is also valid towards a United vacations air inclusive package.

Your itinerty must include at least one flight segment on United Airlines to qualify

The certificate is valid for one year and may be extended for one additional year by presenting the certificate for exchange prior to the original date.

Only the person named on the certificate may redeem it for him/herself or the person of his/her choice.

If the certificate value is less than the air fare, the difference may be paid in cash, check or major CC.

If the value of the certificate is larger than the air fare, a new gift cert. will be issued for the difference.
A refund may be obtained if you prefer, however any refund must be made in the form of a credit to the credit card account used to buy the cert. rather than cash.

That's all the important stuff. I used one yesterday funnily enough!

FireWire

I called United, you will get the residual back in the form of a new certificate. Hope this answers your question!

cblaisd

Why thank you! I guess I could have done that too

UnitedSkies

I think we're still planning on offering them through www.theunitedshop.com, but there is no ETA.

cordelli

I know you asked about United, but American offers them a bit differently, you purchase a set certificate for the from and to destinations you want to fly. They are sometimes a better deal then you can get just buying a ticket. See http://www.americanairlinesincentive.../ratechart.asp for details.

HeadInTheClouds

Just an update on this in case anyone is interested... there is no update! I just looked into this and everything is the status quo as stated last year in this thread. Have to be purchased over the phone, all paper certificates, must be ticketed at ticket counter (or via mail), blah blah. Only now, you get the added pleasure of the airport ticket fee for all your hard work and inconvenience in redeeming your gift certificate!

I was looking into this to see if there was a simple electronic way to offset a $100 price difference for a friend on a work itin where UA was more expensive (and hence outside her $75 company policy allowance). Since you can't split payment online, your only option really is to go to the airport and pay cash [and fee] for the other part. Even my travel agent can't split c/c payments.

But what a horrible program. If I was giving someone a gift certificate for travel on United, this would be such an embarassment once he/she saw all the hoops they had to jump through to use it - and then to get to pay $10 for all that fun would be the "icing" on that birthday cake .

UA2SYD

I believe that the 1K PrePaid Travel card might be the greatest gift cert of all-times. Too bad registration is closed for 2005. Will this be back for 2006?

For those who might have missed this offer, CLICK HERE. I am eagerly anticipating the 2005 Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalogue to see if it will be in there.

ChgoBob

C'mon United, this is a no-brainer! Even Amazon.com and other merchants do this by email. It's that time of year, and you need the cash flow, right?

Besides, I could use these a lot more than a pink tie and fruit baskets.

HeyKenny

and, if it's someone you really don't like, give 'em a united.com e-cert