Originally Posted by
exerda
I'm surprised that UA says in so many cases they're going to snail mail the new TCV! (Not doubting it--just surprised.) In the few cases I've had to cancel a mixed TCV & credit card trip within the 24 hour window, I've always been able to get the TCV amount via e-mail.
Most recently, I had to file a refund request online (as the ticket went to "inactive" and UA wanted me to pay $200 to re-use the credit, despite it being cancelled within 24 hours). It took UA 20 days to get around to reviewing the refund request, and another 48 after approving it, but they e-mailed the new TCV out.
Next up for me is to try to recoup the fare difference TCV for a change back in December--UA never sent me the TCV, and so far I've been sent in circles as to who should handle it (CS says Reservations, Res says Refunds, Refunds says I'm still flying the trip so Res or CS should handle it, etc.).
Agents can give you the PIN over the phone--you just have to HUACA.
If you cancel within 24 hours, assuming that the other conditions in the DOT requirements are met, you should get a refund to the original means of payment and not just an airline voucher (although you might not care about the distinction if you purchase a lot ot tickets).