WineCountryUA

yes


UA makes the rules and those are the rules for non-refundable fares.

zrs70

That is right. But there is a workaround:

1) use the credit toward a Ua only refundable fare. The routing doesn't matter. Use it for lax-las.

2) once ticketted, you can use the new ticket toward the flights you want, including codeshares.

bioyuki

Sigh, and yet another reason why I avoid UA and/or agencies whenever possible

islechik

Hello,

I've read completely though this thread, however I want to ensure that what I believe I am understanding, is actually what's being said.

I have a $700 USD United Airlines travel voucher that was issued in November 2015 that I received for taking a voluntary bump off my flight (in Chicago).

I live in Canada and I had been planning on using it to book via United for a multi-city (Canada) trip this summer (YVR > YHZ > YYZ > YYJ). As I have found out, and as you all know - that won't happen as it all goes via Air Canada & not United.

What I am reading however is that,
1. if I book an "Unrestricted Fare" flight (doesn't matter where),
2. pay any difference between the certificate & the fare (what I found about $50 USD),
3. once the "fake" ticket is ready to go I can
4. cancel it & get a full refund of the certificate + whatever I paid in overages as if I'd paid for it completely or,
5. if I cannot get a full refund (not the end of the world), I could rebook on Air Canada, WestJet, whatever I wanted really and I would have the full amount of the original, unrestricted ticket at my disposal

Am I understanding this correctly? I ask because otherwise I'm going to have a ticket for LAX > SFO (thanks to whoever mentioned it!), that I have absolutely no use for.

I thank you for taking the time to read & answer - much appreciated

sexykitten7

Tried to use a VDB ETC this week and was told "the pin and/or last name you have entered is incorrect." Not voided or used or anything. Double checked the PIN, copied and pasted, typed by hand, did a dance, nothing worked. Called websupport and they had a heck of a time finding it. Checked different databases, I provided the flight, PNR, ticket number, and date of issue. Finally found it after 20 minutes.

What was the problem? A typo! I never received the automated email so I had asked customer care for the PIN via email. The last digit was a C but the correct letter was a G. CSR must have typed it out by hand???

Anyways, that's my cautionary tale!

FTLexMUC

Hi -

is there a way to apply an e-certificate / travel voucher to an itinerary issued on 016 ticket stock that includes code shares?

I have found flights, that include an intra-european leg on LH both ways and cannot do it on the website.

Is there a hack? Should I just keep calling UA until I find someone who can help or is this positively not possible.

Thanks

mduell

What's the T&C of the voucher say?

WineCountryUA

ETC T&Cs typically say no but with a bit of effort it can be done,

zrs70

Originally Posted by zrs70 View Post
My old workaround still works:

Use the voucher to purchase a changeable UA only ticket.

Then use the new ticket and change it to the flights your really want, including the non- UA metal ones.

I recently had a similar issue on Delta. I had voucher that required ticketing in person (something about the nature of that particular voucher - not even able to mail it).

I had to fly LAX-SEA-YVR. I get to the airport, and they tell me I am required to have my passport in order to process the ticket. "But I'm not traveling today. I'm just purchasing the ticket."

No dice. They required the passport. (And because I have no status on DL - in their eyes I am not a seasoned traveller - and they got pretty condescending.) They told me to go home and come back.

So I asked to purchase the cheapest domestic flexible ticket they could find. The agent first though I wanted to fly just LAX-SEA, and quoted me a $899 fare. But I insisted that one way LAX-LAS would be better.

The agent said, "But you need to get to YVR. Why not buy the ticket to SEA, then buy a separate ticket?"

Rather than talk her though the process, I told her I changed my mind, and that I just need to get to LAS.

So she processed the ticket, voucher and all.

Once finished, while walking to my car, I called Delta, gave them the PNR, and asked them to apply it to LAX-SEA-YVR. No change fee. $15 additional fare. I was finished before I reached my car.

I write this as an illustration that thinking outside of the box is a necessary tool when boxed in by these rules!

mmack

We were on a SFO-SYD in July which was cancelled. While we were rearranging our flights received e-mails from UA with an offer of $500 etc for each of us. Accepted, and noted down the numbers. Received confirmatory email shortly thereafter.

Now, back from Australia, we cannot find the emails in any of our computers. Can United "take back" or retract an email? Do we need to contact web support? I think if we have the numbers we are OK?

WineCountryUA

no (especially after you have read it). (there are methods for doing this but they operate different than normal e-mails)

If you have the PIN codes you are fine.

emcampbe

This. Typically, an email can be retracted on if the recipients are on the same server (i.e. United IT could retract an email sent to their employees that are using a United.com email address).

This. With a PIN code and correct last name, you should be fine. Typically, when I receive one, I copy the PIN code and put it into a spreadsheet I keep, and don't go back and reference the email ever.

mmack

What is the PIN code? We copied the ETC number off the email. Is that the PIN, or is the PIN our account number? Sorry, its been a long time since we've had an ETC issued.

WineCountryUA

in the email there will be
The PIN code recently has been a 10 digit alphanumber code

mmack

Mahalo!