Jan 8, 2015, 2:07 pm
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)
Jan 25, 2018, 11:54 pm
#196
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: 66,850
Jan 27, 2018, 1:39 pm
#197
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, United Gold
Posts: 60
Ended up rebooking today and called the 1K desk and got the agent to transfer me to web support and was applied within 5 minutes! Total of 10 minutes of my time today without one mention of it not being possible, against policy, or a special exception being made for me. Just got unlucky the other day it seems. It's crazy how much of a varying experience is possible with United depending on the agent you get.
TLDR: If you need to apply an ETC to a non-retail ticket and can't do so from the get-go, make sure you're transferred to web support or else it won't work after booking.
Jan 27, 2018, 1:55 pm
#198
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
I wanted to apply an ETC to E+ upgrades on a trip to Europe. Couldn't do it online. Once I clicked on the D+ seats, the ETC button 'grayed out.' I called the Premier line and the agent didn't hesitate to do it for us.
Jan 30, 2018, 1:54 pm
#199
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 42
electronic travel certificate
I was given an electronic travel certificate about 4 months ago. When I try to use the certificate it appears as partial credit has been used. Is there any way I can know if somebody used my travel certificate? I'm 100% positive I've never used it
Jan 30, 2018, 2:35 pm
#200
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
It seems odd that someone would, given you should have to provide your MP PIN # to use it, but it's certainly not inconceivable. I'd call Reservations and have them investigate it.
Jan 30, 2018, 2:46 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,403
That's not true at all. All you need to use an Electronic Travel Credit is the ETC PIN and the last name of the passenger. They're not tied to a MileagePlus account; you don't even need to be a MileagePlus member to use one.
Jan 30, 2018, 2:59 pm
#202
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
My apologies, I was thinking of a MP account, I guess. Seems odd though, certainly Res has a way of tracking their usage?
Jan 30, 2018, 3:01 pm
#203
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: 66,850
If you think there has been a misuse, you will need to call the normal numbers and ask for fraud assistance.
To check the value
1. start a dummy ( but valid for the ETC) booking and apply the ETC to see what it provides
2. I believe this still works, from the wiki
Checking the balance: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps...s/default.aspx
Enter type and pin as a single code and then it will ask for Last Name.
Enter type and pin as a single code and then it will ask for Last Name.
Jan 30, 2018, 4:57 pm
#204
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 231
The refund amount must be wrong. My experience with getting an ETC refund in the same situation was frustrating but ultimately profitable.
I didn't realize the refund hadn't come automatically until I wanted to spend the ETC a couple of months later. A United rep asserted, contrary to the cert's terms and to FAA rules, that the 24-hour rule didn't apply to ETCs. After much back and forth, a refund ETC arrived. I filed a DOT complaint anyway, hoping to make it a little less likely United would get away with this indefinitely. A couple of weeks later a new $100 ETC appeared in my mailbox, with no explanation.
My advice is to follow up with Customer Care after a few days if you don't get a new ETC. Don't accept a refusal; the rule states unequivocally that United has to refund the money in the same form as it was tendered.
I didn't realize the refund hadn't come automatically until I wanted to spend the ETC a couple of months later. A United rep asserted, contrary to the cert's terms and to FAA rules, that the 24-hour rule didn't apply to ETCs. After much back and forth, a refund ETC arrived. I filed a DOT complaint anyway, hoping to make it a little less likely United would get away with this indefinitely. A couple of weeks later a new $100 ETC appeared in my mailbox, with no explanation.
My advice is to follow up with Customer Care after a few days if you don't get a new ETC. Don't accept a refusal; the rule states unequivocally that United has to refund the money in the same form as it was tendered.
Wondering for the future.. What is the exact policy on this?
Recently I was able to combine two ETC's and up=fare a work purchased ticket. Need that economy receipt first....I booked aggressively because prices felt real low. (I was right, P went up 150 within 24hrs).
However, if I had to cancel within 24, would the CC amount go back to CC and ETC would go to a new ETC? Expiration date would be?
Jan 30, 2018, 5:13 pm
#205
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Wondering for the future.. What is the exact policy on this?
Recently I was able to combine two ETC's and up=fare a work purchased ticket. Need that economy receipt first....I booked aggressively because prices felt real low. (I was right, P went up 150 within 24hrs).
However, if I had to cancel within 24, would the CC amount go back to CC and ETC would go to a new ETC? Expiration date would be?
Recently I was able to combine two ETC's and up=fare a work purchased ticket. Need that economy receipt first....I booked aggressively because prices felt real low. (I was right, P went up 150 within 24hrs).
However, if I had to cancel within 24, would the CC amount go back to CC and ETC would go to a new ETC? Expiration date would be?
Jan 31, 2018, 6:37 pm
#206
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
You can find the value a couple of ways but you do not have access to the history. Are you sure the original recipient did not use some of the value?
If you think there has been a misuse, you will need to call the normal numbers and ask for fraud assistance.
To check the value
1. start a dummy ( but valid for the ETC) booking and apply the ETC to see what it provides
2. I believe this still works, from the wiki
If you think there has been a misuse, you will need to call the normal numbers and ask for fraud assistance.
To check the value
1. start a dummy ( but valid for the ETC) booking and apply the ETC to see what it provides
2. I believe this still works, from the wiki
Jan 31, 2018, 6:40 pm
#207
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: 66,850
Doubtful they will provide that to a third party -- perhaps the original recipient can request this. And if there was another user, the agents will be limited in the personal information they can release.
Jan 31, 2018, 6:52 pm
#208
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Good points. I didn't catch that the person seeking to check on the usage of the ETC is not the person it was issued to.
Feb 26, 2018, 12:02 pm
#209
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 43
No need to create a dummy reservation to find out the value of an ETC as this worked for me today going directly to this link
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...s/default.aspx
or follow these instructions to get to the same page:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...s/default.aspx
or follow these instructions to get to the same page:
- For online certificate status and terms and conditions, go to united.com, select "Promotional programs and certificates" from the Deals & Offers dropdown menu, enter promotion code and PIN in the Offer Code box. You will be asked to enter the last name of the certificate owner.
Feb 26, 2018, 12:06 pm
#210
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
Is there anybody who can still combine the eCertificates altogether without making reservations? I was told last time if it was taken care by the reservation/supervisor, then it is no go, we have to do it. However, if it is combined by Customer Relations, there's a good chance we can get the eCertificate without making any reservations.