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)
#526
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
For the routing I am looking at the United ticket is $1900 and the ticket with *A carriers is $1400. So the $500 difference is what I want to make sure I get back in some form.
I presume changing a ticket booked over the phone is not an issue on the website within 24 hours?
I presume changing a ticket booked over the phone is not an issue on the website within 24 hours?
For example, I have often booked o/w Y fares using combined ETC for routes that I would never fly, simply because the o/w price of that specific UA flight was within a few bucks of the *A fare I wanted to change it to.
Also, what I often do is to purchase a UA metal flight using combined ETC that is actually a few dollars LESS than the cost of the *A routing, and then when doing the change I pay the extra few bucks with my credit card to get the credit card benefits/protections
What is the value of the combined ETC you wish to use?
Whatever you don't use will come back as a new voucher but with same expiration date as original.
Also, no issue changing original ticket for free online in first 24 hours. The only time I have needed an agent is when combining ETC.
Last edited by shdflyer; Jan 4, 2020 at 10:26 am
#527
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I agree with the advice to find a flight where the price is as close to the one you want as possible and go from there.
#528
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
When you have them combine over the phone and apply the voucher if the UA ticket is more expensive than the *A ticket then does the refund come back in the form of a new voucher? For the routing I am looking at the United ticket is $1900 and the ticket with *A carriers is $1400. So the $500 difference is what I want to make sure I get back in some form.
#529
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
I just experienced this. Had used a sub-$100 ETC for a ticket which I then cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. Website would not process the refund due to the ETC. I figured no problem, I'll just apply value to a future ticket. When I went to do that last night, the website wanted to charge a $200 change fee. So I called. Agent also quoted me a $200 change fee. When I pointed out that the ticket had been cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, his response was "you should have called us to process the refund." He did ultimately agree to waive the change fee.
#530
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I just experienced this. Had used a sub-$100 ETC for a ticket which I then cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. Website would not process the refund due to the ETC. I figured no problem, I'll just apply value to a future ticket. When I went to do that last night, the website wanted to charge a $200 change fee. So I called. Agent also quoted me a $200 change fee. When I pointed out that the ticket had been cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, his response was "you should have called us to process the refund." He did ultimately agree to waive the change fee.
#531
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Yes, I mentioned that to the agent when he tried to tell me it was my fault for not calling to have the refund processed. The ticket was purchased online and should thus have been refundable online.
#532
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 431
Expiration date of ETC for fare difference
If I change a ticket (bought using cc) to a lower fare and I get an ETC for the fare difference, what is the expiration date of the etc? One year from the date I make the change or the one year from the date I bought the original ticket?
#533
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
ETC expires one year from the date it is issued, which is when you change the ticket.
#534
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
I bought a ticket with cash plus a TCVA cert. If I refund the ticket, will my TCVA cert be reinstated, and with what expiry date? Thanks. .
#535
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
#536
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
I thought ETCs cover the "Fare" portion but not taxes & fees. In what scenario would it not cover the full "Fare" portion? (Yes there is more than the fare amount on the ETC, I even tried a different one so it's not the ETC)
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
#537
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
I thought ETCs cover the "Fare" portion but not taxes & fees. In what scenario would it not cover the full "Fare" portion? (Yes there is more than the fare amount on the ETC, I even tried a different one so it's not the ETC)
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
#538
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA gold; WN A; PC plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 425
With the current COVID19 situation, has anyone tried successfully or unsuccessfully to request United extend expiration of their soon to expire ETC because they can't travel due to the risks?
#539
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 214
I thought ETCs cover the "Fare" portion but not taxes & fees. In what scenario would it not cover the full "Fare" portion? (Yes there is more than the fare amount on the ETC, I even tried a different one so it's not the ETC)
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
Fare $316.30
Taxes and fees $167.70
Electronic travel certificate $193.60
Credit card payment:$290.40
An ETC can only be used either (1) one for the entire PNR or (2) one per passenger on the PNR
#540
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Good question, I have travel plans to France first week of April and if things progress I may reconsider. I had used an ECERT for a partial payment that should be expiring in the next month or two. Anyone else have any color? I’m not sure how they would handle the refund. Would they give me a credit for the full amount of the fare to be used on another flight, Or would they return the additional payment to the credit card and re-issue the ECERT?