Last edit by: WineCountryUA
*NEW* Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
Update 30 Aug 2021
See discussion in COVID19 Schedule Change (6+hrs)/Cancellation Refund, UA resisting refunds, DOT ruling
Checking the balance: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps...s/default.aspx
Enter type (see below) and PIN as a single code without any spaces. Then the page will say it couldn't find anything and offer you a place to enter your last name. Note, will show remaining value but not expiration date,
What does "type" mean? Good question. See the following answer from post 670:
Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) / vouchers canonly be used for travel on an entirely UA/UX operated paid itinerary.
Late August 2021 Now useable on partner and codeshare itins!
ETCs can now be used to pay pre-paid baggage fees.
Not valid when there are partner flights or any segment that uses partner metal.
Cannot be used to pay award flight fees.
Cannot be used for E+ fees, WiFi fees, UA subscriptions (Wifi, E+ fees, UC membership, ...), upgrades fees (but OK for up-fares), change fees, ....
ETC can be used by anyone with the PIN and last name of the original person receiving the ETC.
If not fully used the residual can be used later with the same original expiration.
ETCs will be used for the total amount needed (no partial payments if the ETC has a greater value)
TVCA certs with PINs (by far the most common ecert most customers will receive -- such as goodwill compensation from Customer Care or refunds on flights) are considered a form of payment and don't reduce thePQDs PQP earnings.. So the full value of the ticket is earned, no reduction
Expiration -- ETCs generally have a 1 2-year life. The ETC should be used prior to expiration -- but the actual travel days can be after expiration. While not publically documented, it does appear ETCs have a 30 day (one month?) post-expiration grace period.
How do I use the ETC?
Online works fine or you can call and used an agent (a fee may apply)
Online, either select "all search" options and scroll to the bottom of the screen to enter
or
wait until you get to the Payment Options at the end of the purchasing steps and select "United payment types"
Enter pin code (7 or 10 digits) and Last Name on the ETC
Where online can I view my unused ETCs?
You cannot. No such listing is available. UA now displays some ETCs in Your Account (May 2020)
Reports suggest ETCs from flight credits seem to be displayed but customer service ETCs are not.
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
You can call and ask an agent to look these up for you. Note agents will not provide the ETC PIN on the phone.
Can an ETC be used for covering the costs of a post-purchase upfare?
Multiple reports of success but one mentioned it would need to be the sole method of payment.
Can only be done by an agent -- not online
Can not be an upgrade fee, must be an upfare.
Can an ETC be used to UC membership or E+ access fee or change fee or award fee or upgrade co-pay or baggage fee or ...
ETCs can only be used for airfare,not for any fee
August 2020 - ETCs can be used for internet access, E+, subscriptions, upgrades, bag fees
Can I partially use an ETC and then pay the remainder with a credit card (to get the card's benefits)?
No, the ETC must be fully used (up to the needed amount). Only if the ETC is insufficient, can a credit card then be used.
If I make a booking with an ETC and then cancel -- what happens?
Normally it would just stay as flight credit. If refunded, it goes back to the original ETC (recent reports suggest a new ETC is now issued). If that has expired, it gets tricky, UA may create a new ETC -- this situation generally takes manual handling. It does not get converted to cash
How many ETCs can be used at one time?
There is a limit of one ETC per passenger. If you have multiple passengers on the PNR, you can apply 1 ETC each ( does not have to be the same value ETC nor does ETC to be applied to every passenger). (Recent reports suggest the use of multiple ETCs per passenger). If you have more ETCs than passengers, you can now combine ETCs. You can also use one-ways to double the number of opportunities to use ETCs vs roundtrips.
Combinability update July 2017 - ETCs can be combined (either a new ETC created with the expiration date of the earliest-expiring ETC or multiple ETCs used on a PNR). Appears will only combine ETC if you need to do this to book a flight. Initially, UA seemed to allow the combining for future use but most reports now suggest you need to also have a flight booking in mind using the new combined ETC.
Combinability update June 2020 - ETCs can be combined at the website payment screen without calling (see post 690)
Related threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
Is there any way to combine multiple travel certificates into one? {out-of-date -- see not above}
UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights
Using ETCs in Canada (outside of US) on new United.com
Archive: UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): General Q&A, ... {Archive}
Link to Travel Credit Lookup by E-mail Page:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/credit.html
Note: page first shows FFCs; scroll down further for ETCs.
David
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/credit.html
Note: page first shows FFCs; scroll down further for ETCs.
David
We’re extending electronic certificatesTo give you more flexibility when you travel, electronic certificates are now valid for 24 months from the date they were issued. This includes all currently valid electronic certificates and all new ones issued on or after April 1, 2020. All electronic certificates due to expire prior to December 31, 2022, will be extended until December 31, 2022.
This policy change will automatically appear, but it may not be reflected everywhere right away. We’d appreciate your patience as we work to make that happen.
.
This policy change will automatically appear, but it may not be reflected everywhere right away. We’d appreciate your patience as we work to make that happen.
.
Checking the balance: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps...s/default.aspx
Enter type (see below) and PIN as a single code without any spaces. Then the page will say it couldn't find anything and offer you a place to enter your last name. Note, will show remaining value but not expiration date,
What does "type" mean? Good question. See the following answer from post 670:
Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) / vouchers can
Late August 2021 Now useable on partner and codeshare itins!
ETCs can now be used to pay pre-paid baggage fees.
Not valid when there are partner flights or any segment that uses partner metal.
Cannot be used to pay award flight fees.
ETC can be used by anyone with the PIN and last name of the original person receiving the ETC.
If not fully used the residual can be used later with the same original expiration.
ETCs will be used for the total amount needed (no partial payments if the ETC has a greater value)
TVCA certs with PINs (by far the most common ecert most customers will receive -- such as goodwill compensation from Customer Care or refunds on flights) are considered a form of payment and don't reduce the
yes they do. https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...arn-miles.html Q&A #7
How do I use the ETC?
Online works fine or you can call and used an agent (a fee may apply)
Online, either select "all search" options and scroll to the bottom of the screen to enter
or
wait until you get to the Payment Options at the end of the purchasing steps and select "United payment types"
Enter pin code (7 or 10 digits) and Last Name on the ETC
Where online can I view my unused ETCs?
Reports suggest ETCs from flight credits seem to be displayed but customer service ETCs are not.
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
You can call and ask an agent to look these up for you. Note agents will not provide the ETC PIN on the phone.
Can an ETC be used for covering the costs of a post-purchase upfare?
Multiple reports of success but one mentioned it would need to be the sole method of payment.
Can only be done by an agent -- not online
Can not be an upgrade fee, must be an upfare.
Can an ETC be used to UC membership or E+ access fee or change fee or award fee or upgrade co-pay or baggage fee or ...
ETCs can only be used for airfare,
August 2020 - ETCs can be used for internet access, E+, subscriptions, upgrades, bag fees
Can I partially use an ETC and then pay the remainder with a credit card (to get the card's benefits)?
No, the ETC must be fully used (up to the needed amount). Only if the ETC is insufficient, can a credit card then be used.
If I make a booking with an ETC and then cancel -- what happens?
Normally it would just stay as flight credit. If refunded, it goes back to the original ETC (recent reports suggest a new ETC is now issued). If that has expired, it gets tricky, UA may create a new ETC -- this situation generally takes manual handling. It does not get converted to cash
How many ETCs can be used at one time?
There is a limit of one ETC per passenger. If you have multiple passengers on the PNR, you can apply 1 ETC each ( does not have to be the same value ETC nor does ETC to be applied to every passenger). (Recent reports suggest the use of multiple ETCs per passenger). If you have more ETCs than passengers, you can now combine ETCs. You can also use one-ways to double the number of opportunities to use ETCs vs roundtrips.
Combinability update July 2017 - ETCs can be combined (either a new ETC created with the expiration date of the earliest-expiring ETC or multiple ETCs used on a PNR). Appears will only combine ETC if you need to do this to book a flight. Initially, UA seemed to allow the combining for future use but most reports now suggest you need to also have a flight booking in mind using the new combined ETC.
Combinability update June 2020 - ETCs can be combined at the website payment screen without calling (see post 690)
Related threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
Is there any way to combine multiple travel certificates into one? {out-of-date -- see not above}
UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights
Using ETCs in Canada (outside of US) on new United.com
Archive: UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): General Q&A, ... {Archive}
UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): Q&A, OK for partners, 2 year life (Dec 2022)
#346
Cool. This is much better than the refund (travel fund) from Southwest. I had some left-over SW travel fund $. I had to use it (actual travel) within one year from the FIRST date the original ticket was purchased.
#347
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
is it possible to book AC PE on united.com?
i have a credit with united and i need to take a flight within canada. i would like to use that credit if possible and i would prefer to book online if possible. i only see economy, economy flex, and business online. does united not sell premium economy on their website?
i'll call if i have to but i just hate waiting on the phone and dealing with agents if there's a more direct way of doing this.
thanks.
i'll call if i have to but i just hate waiting on the phone and dealing with agents if there's a more direct way of doing this.
thanks.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 20, 2019 at 5:59 pm Reason: Moved to ETC master thread
#348
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Is this a past canceled flight credit or an ETC?
In either case, credits can only be used to book UA/UX operated flights.
BTW, it is now possible to purchase PE on partners on united.com. Just not using credits.
Purchasing partner Premium Economy on UA.com (now that UA is selling PP)
In either case, credits can only be used to book UA/UX operated flights.
BTW, it is now possible to purchase PE on partners on united.com. Just not using credits.
Purchasing partner Premium Economy on UA.com (now that UA is selling PP)
#349
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
it's a money credit like a gift card i believe. can i use that on non-UA metal? i went through the booking process and i get to the point where i can enter the certificate number but i haven't yet.
#350
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Issues using UA Gift Certificates - [discontinued]
Gift Certificates were also limited to just UA/UX opertered flights.
What does the item call itself? When / how was it purchased / accquired?
#351
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
An Electronic Travel Certificate has been issued to Ben Senise (Mileage Plus xxxxxxxx) valid towards the purchase of one electronic airline ticket, where eligible, on United up to $500.00.
I wasn't sure if the "on United" meant only on United metal, or united.com or just sold through united. It will be more difficult to use once UA end their only flight into YYJ soon. I suppose i could try and sell these (i have two.)
#352
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
I admit I did have it allow me to use these options during purchase once several years ago on an itin with partner segments. The thing never ticketed, and when I called to get it worked out, an agent almost canceled it rather then let me give a card for the whole thing.
since you’ve now confirmed it’s an ETC, there should be a link to see the T + Cs which will specify its for UA/UAX operated flights only. Also, don’t try to sell these - while an ETC is transferable (I.e., you can give it to someone else to use if they aren’t giving you anything in return),you can not sell or barter, and UA can and will enforce this if they suspect there’s fraud, including termination of your MP account as well as
canceling the ticket it’s used for. There are threads around that will confirm this happens.
#353
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
here's the text from the email they sent me:
An Electronic Travel Certificate has been issued to Ben Senise (Mileage Plus xxxxxxxx) valid towards the purchase of one electronic airline ticket, where eligible, on United up to $500.00.
I wasn't sure if the "on United" meant only on United metal, or united.com or just sold through united. It will be more difficult to use once UA end their only flight into YYJ soon. ...Just a warning, if you read further in the email you will find out that UA does not allow that and it comes with risks if UA becomes aware of it.
#354
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,409
It does, in fact, mean operated and marketed by UA -- no codeshare flights. That said, there's a board thread for a workaround that used to work -- buy a UA-operated flight and then call within 24 hours to change it to the itinerary you want. Recently, there have been some reports of agents refusing to make changes, but it's worth a try, anyway.
#355
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
An option is to ask UA to convert these to miles, based on your location's limitations. Not sure what might be offered in exchange but for smaller dollar amounts UA generally does 200 miles per ETC dollar. UA might balk at this large of an ETC.
#356
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
since you’ve now confirmed it’s an ETC, there should be a link to see the T + Cs which will specify its for UA/UAX operated flights only. Also, don’t try to sell these - while an ETC is transferable (I.e., you can give it to someone else to use if they aren’t giving you anything in return),you can not sell or barter, and UA can and will enforce this if they suspect there’s fraud, including termination of your MP account as well as
That is an ETC -- knowing that will move this thread to the ETC thread. And yes ONLY UA /UX operated flights. The wiki on ETCs has a moderately complex backdoor to make useable on partner flights. also UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights
Just a warning, if you read further in the email you will find out that UA does not allow that and it comes with risks if UA becomes aware of it.
Just a warning, if you read further in the email you will find out that UA does not allow that and it comes with risks if UA becomes aware of it.
i really appreciate the great (and courteous!) responses from all of you to what are probably total noobie questions.
#357
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: United GS, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 33
Just wanted to add a data point (sorry if this is already well understood) -- I was able to call in to an agent and use an ETC to buy up from from H to M. The flight had PZ availability so that got me a 1K instant upgrade.
The agent didn't bat an eye, didn't charge me a change fee, immediately pushed the upgrade, and went straight to selecting my seat up front.
The agent did say the ETC did have to be the sole method of payment, and residual value would stay on the cert.
The agent didn't bat an eye, didn't charge me a change fee, immediately pushed the upgrade, and went straight to selecting my seat up front.
The agent did say the ETC did have to be the sole method of payment, and residual value would stay on the cert.
#358
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Just wanted to add a data point (sorry if this is already well understood) -- I was able to call in to an agent and use an ETC to buy up from from H to M. The flight had PZ availability so that got me a 1K instant upgrade.
The agent didn't bat an eye, didn't charge me a change fee, immediately pushed the upgrade, and went straight to selecting my seat up front.
The agent did say the ETC did have to be the sole method of payment, and residual value would stay on the cert.
The agent didn't bat an eye, didn't charge me a change fee, immediately pushed the upgrade, and went straight to selecting my seat up front.
The agent did say the ETC did have to be the sole method of payment, and residual value would stay on the cert.
#359
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 64
Is there a way to retrieve a list of ETCs posted to my MP account via UA.com? I could have sworn I've read this somewhere before.
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,409
No. You can call, and a customer service representative should be able to find them.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 7, 2019 at 9:03 pm Reason: split post