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)
#31
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lawrence, MA USA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 273
Anyone know how to find the remaining balance on a TCVA? It used to be on the United website under "Deals and Offers", but I don't see it there anymore. Doesn't show up on a search of their site either, at least not that I can find.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,876
i didn't know they removed that, but can always do a mock booking, and apply it - it will show you how much is there. As long as you don't actually make the purchase, it won't be used.
#33
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,748
Checking the balance: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps...s/default.aspx
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lawrence, MA USA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 273
emcampbe, doing a dummy booking did allow me to see the balance, thanks for the idea.
Last edited by alanstar; Feb 23, 2017 at 12:05 pm Reason: spelling
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
Did you actually try that link? It doesn't seem to lead to anywhere useful anymore. Unless I'm missing something stupidly obvious. (You can click on "Additional Information" and it brings you to a page about using certificates, but then it just redirects you back to the United homepage.)
emcampbe, doing a dummy booking did allow me to see the balance, thanks for the idea.
emcampbe, doing a dummy booking did allow me to see the balance, thanks for the idea.
Combine the Promotion Code with the Pin code as one long string, give your last name, and you'll get your certificate balance.
I just tested that with one of mine.
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lawrence, MA USA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 273
Hey, that did work! How did you even know to do that? Would have been nice if there was a least a little more instruction on that page. But thanks for the tip!
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I seem to remember that years ago, I had to input the promotion code and pin all in the same place to use a different type of certificate, so I gave it a shot for this one and it worked.
#38
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,748
you have to enter the type plus pin as a single entry. It then asked for the last name. Then reports the balance. Worked absolute fine for me.
I see you figured it out with help from others.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2020 at 8:43 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,088
Yesterday I converted two cancelled flights into new reservations, and on the confirmation page was informed of ETCs being issued in both cases- one around $600, the other in the low $200s.
I never received email confirmation of the flight change (it is ticketed in my reservations online), and also never received the ETCs. In the past, I've had them hit my inbox almost immediately.
What to do? I'd actually like to apply one of them shortly....
I never received email confirmation of the flight change (it is ticketed in my reservations online), and also never received the ETCs. In the past, I've had them hit my inbox almost immediately.
What to do? I'd actually like to apply one of them shortly....
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,738
I almost never get e-mails of the ETCs after changing a canceled flight for a partial refund. However, the ETC always stays associated with the PNR of the canceled/changed flight. In order to apply it to a new reservation, make the new reservation via phone agent, and explain that you want to apply an ETC associated with an existing PNR. They will be able to easily handle it.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
This was the exact problem I had. I was waiting and waiting and waiting for the ETC to come via email. The people on the phone kept on resending and I never received.
I finally contacted customer support, after numerous calls where I was told they could not give me the info over the phone, and got the email.
The ETC emails - all of them from my calls - finally showed up exactly 1 month to the day after I cancelled and was given the credit. This was reservation was the first one I have ever made through Ultimate Rewards.
I wonder if booking via a travel agency, even though I cancelled by calling UA, had something to do with the delay.
I finally contacted customer support, after numerous calls where I was told they could not give me the info over the phone, and got the email.
The ETC emails - all of them from my calls - finally showed up exactly 1 month to the day after I cancelled and was given the credit. This was reservation was the first one I have ever made through Ultimate Rewards.
I wonder if booking via a travel agency, even though I cancelled by calling UA, had something to do with the delay.
#42
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I was told similar info last time I did not get an email. The agent tried to send the info twice but I did not receive it. While we were still on the phone he gave me the info. Though this agent said it was inside the FFP account they could see in their system. For peace of mind I sent myself an email containing the old PNR and the e-ticket number that was rebooked resulting the residual value e-Cert just in case
#43
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,087
ETC can't be used on E+ seat??
I'm trying to book a flight using an ETC for payment. If I select an E+ seat, it does not give me the option to use the ETC. If I back out and select a coach seat (E-) the option to use ETC is now there.
What's going on here? I guarantee you I was in an E+ seat when I volunteered for the oversell that got me this ETC.
What's going on here? I guarantee you I was in an E+ seat when I volunteered for the oversell that got me this ETC.
#44
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
I'm trying to book a flight using an ETC for payment. If I select an E+ seat, it does not give me the option to use the ETC. If I back out and select a coach seat (E-) the option to use ETC is now there.
What's going on here? I guarantee you I was in an E+ seat when I volunteered for the oversell that got me this ETC.
What's going on here? I guarantee you I was in an E+ seat when I volunteered for the oversell that got me this ETC.
If you want the E+ seat you can book the E- seat with the ETC, and then pay to change seats afterward with a credit card.
From the T&Cs:
Please note that gift certificates cannot be used toward non-ticket purchases, including but not limited to Economy Plus®, Premier Access®, Award Accelerator®, Premier AcceleratorSM and Personal Miles®.