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)
May 15, 2021, 7:49 am
#751
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,287
My spouse and I both got the MP 40th Anniversary Offers email this week and mine said "We extended your flight credits by another year until March 31, 2022, giving you plenty of time to take your next trip". Except I don't have any ETCs. All of the ETCs we got last year went to her account, including for my flights, and some still have 2021 expirations. She did not have the extension message in the same 40 Years Flies email.
May 15, 2021, 8:24 am
#752
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,017
My spouse and I both got the MP 40th Anniversary Offers email this week and mine said "We extended your flight credits by another year until March 31, 2022, giving you plenty of time to take your next trip". Except I don't have any ETCs. All of the ETCs we got last year went to her account, including for my flights, and some still have 2021 expirations. She did not have the extension message in the same 40 Years Flies email.
May 16, 2021, 8:58 pm
#753
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Gold
Posts: 391
Expiry of FFC after cancelling a ETC made booking
My ETC expires 04/2022.
If book a flight for 3/2023 before the ETC expires but then decide to cancel the flight, I assume I would have am FFC. When would this FFC expire though?
If book a flight for 3/2023 before the ETC expires but then decide to cancel the flight, I assume I would have am FFC. When would this FFC expire though?
May 16, 2021, 9:20 pm
#754
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: 66,821
May 22, 2021, 3:16 pm
#755
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 65
Hello all,
I have a pair of ETCs expiring in early June 2021.
These were originally issued in 2019 and were extended due to the pandemic.
For now, it seems UA isn't planning to extend them further as they've said no to my requests.
Are there any data points on how to handle situations such as mine?
Thank you.
I have a pair of ETCs expiring in early June 2021.
These were originally issued in 2019 and were extended due to the pandemic.
For now, it seems UA isn't planning to extend them further as they've said no to my requests.
Are there any data points on how to handle situations such as mine?
Thank you.
May 22, 2021, 4:33 pm
#756
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: 66,821
... I have a pair of ETCs expiring in early June 2021.
These were originally issued in 2019 and were extended due to the pandemic.
For now, it seems UA isn't planning to extend them further as they've said no to my requests.
Are there any data points on how to handle situations such as mine? ....
These were originally issued in 2019 and were extended due to the pandemic.
For now, it seems UA isn't planning to extend them further as they've said no to my requests.
Are there any data points on how to handle situations such as mine? ....
ETCs can be combined to make a single booking.
May 22, 2021, 6:04 pm
#757
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 65
Thnanks WineCountryUA.
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
May 22, 2021, 6:26 pm
#758
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,218
Thnanks WineCountryUA.
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
May 22, 2021, 7:20 pm
#759
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: 66,821
Thnanks WineCountryUA.
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
Do you mean book and cancel immediately? i.e. the ETC value would be converted to a FFC and valid for a year from cancellation?
But since a new reservation would be valid for a year, would it make sense to cancel near the end of its validity instead?
Not clear with the new ETC-like FFC, what will happen on a ETC purchased refund.
May 22, 2021, 7:31 pm
#760
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 65
Sorry, I'm not sure I understand your emphasis on "purchase" since you used "cancel" initially.
My ETC expires 7 Jun 2021, so let's say I book a flight before this date for a departure date of say, Apr 2022. When should I ideally cancel this flight for conversion to a FFC if my aim is to buy as much time as possible?
My ETC expires 7 Jun 2021, so let's say I book a flight before this date for a departure date of say, Apr 2022. When should I ideally cancel this flight for conversion to a FFC if my aim is to buy as much time as possible?
May 22, 2021, 7:47 pm
#761
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: 66,821
So if you book 1 Jun 2021, cancel soon afterwards or much later, the FFC will expire 1 Jun 2022.
The reason I suggest canceling quickly, assuming the booked trip is of not interest, is we know the rules for cancellations today -- we don;t know the rules for handling a cancellation in the future -- may change, may not.
A further clarifying point, the rebooked trip from the FFC, the new travel must commence within 1 year of the original purchase. The trip can end / return came be after expiration.
May 22, 2021, 11:55 pm
#762
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
I would wait until more than 24 hours have passed. Otherwise, you may get a refund, back to an ETC, rather than FFC. (Of course, it's possible that the new ETC would have a new expiration date, although it's not really supposed to).
May 23, 2021, 9:13 am
#763
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 389
I recently booked flights using an ETC that expired in August 2021. I canceled two of the flights within 24 hours. I got my refunds back to new ETCs, with an expiration date in May 2023. So even though my intention wasn't to extend the ETC, it had that effect.
May 23, 2021, 9:20 am
#764
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
On reflection, I suppose book-then-refund (within 24 hours) is worth a try, as long as you don't wait until the ETC's expiration date to do it. That way, if you do get new ETCs, you're all set, but if not, you still have time to try it again with a greater-than-24-hour pause. There have definitely been multiple reports similar to yours, but I hesitate to depend upon that as a strategy because we never know when UA might "fix the glitch," so to speak.
May 28, 2021, 4:24 pm
#765
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DCA
Posts: 169
I booked a ticket and paid for it partly with an ETC scheduled to expire on June 5 (8 days from now). I wound up cancelling within 24 hours, and got a message saying that the refund needs manual processing, which could take up to 20 business days. I'm hoping either that they process the refund a lot faster than that or that they give me a new ETC with an expiration date 2 years out (as it sounds like others have gotten recently). Otherwise, my ETC will expire while I'm waiting to get it back.
I'm posting mostly just to give others a heads-up that this could happen. But if anyone has a suggestion on what I should do (other than keeping my fingers crossed), I'm all ears.
I'm posting mostly just to give others a heads-up that this could happen. But if anyone has a suggestion on what I should do (other than keeping my fingers crossed), I'm all ears.