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)
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Recently, my family has been issued multiple Electronic Travel Certificates and I have a few questions, since I have not had these issues to me in the last 5 years.
1. Can I combine multiple ETC's in a single reservation or is it limited to one? For example, total reservation is $500, can I apply two $250 ETCs to it? Can these be accomplished when booking direct online or must I call?
2. If I use less than the full value of the ETC is the remaining balance worthless? For example, total reservation is $150, if I use a $200 ETC, does that ETC still have $50 left on it or is it now forfeited?
Thanks for the help.
1. Can I combine multiple ETC's in a single reservation or is it limited to one? For example, total reservation is $500, can I apply two $250 ETCs to it? Can these be accomplished when booking direct online or must I call?
2. If I use less than the full value of the ETC is the remaining balance worthless? For example, total reservation is $150, if I use a $200 ETC, does that ETC still have $50 left on it or is it now forfeited?
Thanks for the help.
2. Remaining value will be available for later use (up until the expiry date). So in your example, the $50 will be available to use on a future trip.
#497
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
If I call to combine certificates, is there some sort of delay until the reissue of the new certificate or is it instant?
#498
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: 66,846
#499
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,851
#500
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 754
Correct. You have to call to have it issued. Issue date is not the date it is issued (the date you call), though, but the date the travel funds were first credited to the voucher.
#501
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
Using an etc to pay change fee?
I seem to remember reading that is possible to use a travel cert with pin# to pay a change fee.
Is that correct?
Is that correct?
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
It’s possible an agent can and will allow this if you do it over the phone. But terms of ETCs certainly don’t allow it. So YMMV.
#505
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: 66,846
#506
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
Will UA re-issue ETC for second time?
I used one ETC before the expiration date and cancelled this booking. UA the refund me and reissue an ETC with 30 days expiration. In email, UA says “ The original electronic travel certificate used for partial payment for your ticket has expired and does not holds any value. However as a gesture of goodwill, we have taken a one-time exception and issued a new electronic travel certificate for you; it is valid for 30 days only.”
Does anyone know that will UA re-issue second time if I book and cancel with this ETC again ( I thought UA will reissue a new one year expiration ETC, did not expect only 30days)
Thank you!
Does anyone know that will UA re-issue second time if I book and cancel with this ETC again ( I thought UA will reissue a new one year expiration ETC, did not expect only 30days)
Thank you!
#507
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: 66,846
If you are doing this to extend the expiration it is not a reliable process.
Instead Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
#508
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 8
ETC
I travel almost every week and go through the usually cancelled/delayed flights for which I am often giving Electronic Travel Certificates. At any given time, I have several but they usually end up expiring. Where in your account or app can you see these? That's one of the reasons mine always expire as I am unaware of how many I have.
Also, can anyone point me to clear summary of the rules? I'm sure it has been done on this site before. They seem to be pretty restrictive. I tried to fly my son home from school for the Holiday and they wouldn't let me use it.
Also, can anyone point me to clear summary of the rules? I'm sure it has been done on this site before. They seem to be pretty restrictive. I tried to fly my son home from school for the Holiday and they wouldn't let me use it.
#509
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold
Posts: 1,658
to the best of my knowledge, you need to track them yourself - there is no app or UA tool to help with this.
in my experience - they can be used just like cash when buying a ticket - just as you are about to pay, there is a spot to enter in the codes and it deducts from the final cost of the ticket - what is nice is that the PQD, etc are still the same - you just pay less for the ticket. Probably best saved (for a variety of reasons) for personal travel.
there have also been situations in which I have need to return (within 24 hours) tickets and they return the credit - typically within a few days - but it is automatic.
if I have several that I want to apply to a single ticket a CS agent is very helpful.
while others have had problems and issues - I have never had any problems in using them.......
in my experience - they can be used just like cash when buying a ticket - just as you are about to pay, there is a spot to enter in the codes and it deducts from the final cost of the ticket - what is nice is that the PQD, etc are still the same - you just pay less for the ticket. Probably best saved (for a variety of reasons) for personal travel.
there have also been situations in which I have need to return (within 24 hours) tickets and they return the credit - typically within a few days - but it is automatic.
if I have several that I want to apply to a single ticket a CS agent is very helpful.
while others have had problems and issues - I have never had any problems in using them.......
#510
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
United mainline and United Express flights only. If you have a code share and partner flight, you cannot use ETC. ETC is valid for one year.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 22, 2019 at 12:46 pm Reason: clean-up after merge; thanks for the link