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)
Mar 9, 2020, 3:48 pm
#541
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
I tried to use (1) ETC for the entire PNR which had 5 people. They were BE fares if that makes any difference, but it shouldn't.
Mar 9, 2020, 6:20 pm
#542
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 5
Cancelling flight that I used ETC on
I booked a flight for 2 on Feb 5, 2020 with most of it covered by a ETC that had an expiry date of Feb 23, 2020 (held on to it for a year, has never been extended). I now want to cancel that flight. I know I need to talk to United but wondering if there is any chance they might reinstate the ETC and at the same time give me a courtesy 30 day extention to the expiry date (revising it to Mar 23, 2020) so I can turn around and rebook in the next week using the ETC. Any thoughts on a gameplan would be greatly appreciated
Gary
Gary
Mar 9, 2020, 8:36 pm
#543
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I booked a flight for 2 on Feb 5, 2020 with most of it covered by a ETC that had an expiry date of Feb 23, 2020 (held on to it for a year, has never been extended). I now want to cancel that flight. I know I need to talk to United but wondering if there is any chance they might reinstate the ETC and at the same time give me a courtesy 30 day extention to the expiry date (revising it to Mar 23, 2020) so I can turn around and rebook in the next week using the ETC. Any thoughts on a gameplan would be greatly appreciated
Gary
Gary
I don’t anticipate any problems calling to cancel the flight, asking to leave the credit attached to the reservation, and then calling back when your plans are firm. Note that if the change fee isn’t waived by the agent, you’ll need to pay it — in new money — when you call to rebook.
Mar 10, 2020, 8:16 am
#544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
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?
I can only assume there is an issue with 5 pax somehow. Call them, that should work in principle.
Mar 10, 2020, 8:26 am
#545
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
[QUOTE=cfischer;32164380]just use the free change policy and re-book for a flight till 12/31, you can use the full ticket value, no restrictions. A refund to the original ETC will have the original expiration date.
I was able to do that, however original travel must commence one year after the original ticket date which will be October 2020 as the original ticketing date was October 2019. Full re-residual value of the ticket will apply, no worry about the ECERT
Just hung up the phone with United about 15 minutes ago. Agent was extremely helpful
I was able to do that, however original travel must commence one year after the original ticket date which will be October 2020 as the original ticketing date was October 2019. Full re-residual value of the ticket will apply, no worry about the ECERT
Just hung up the phone with United about 15 minutes ago. Agent was extremely helpful
Mar 10, 2020, 10:47 am
#546
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,098
Has anyone gotten an error when trying to use 2020 ETCs? I keep getting
united.com was unable to retrieve the rule(s) pertaining to the program at this time. Please contact united.com Support at 1-800-396-1751 for assistance in redeeming your eCertificate offer.
Haven't called yet since I don't have an urgent need to book.
Mar 10, 2020, 11:41 am
#548
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
SO say I get an ETC now and new tickets so cheap, what happens to the price of the ETC? Do I get another or forfeit the rest of the cost? When I have always used ETC, they dont cover the whole cost so never worried, but I have a bunch of close to $1k flights that new ones are like $200 on difference days, dont want to throw $800 out
Mar 10, 2020, 12:45 pm
#549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
SO say I get an ETC now and new tickets so cheap, what happens to the price of the ETC? Do I get another or forfeit the rest of the cost? When I have always used ETC, they dont cover the whole cost so never worried, but I have a bunch of close to $1k flights that new ones are like $200 on difference days, dont want to throw $800 out
However, if your fare rules indicate that residual value after a change will be ignored, then you wouldn't get an ETC from changing that particular flight.
Those rules were infrequent (but present, occasionally) prior to March 3, and they are now common, in conjunction with the "change fees waived" promotion.
Mar 11, 2020, 8:45 am
#551
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 410
UAL Travel Voucher Booked or Flown w/in 1 year ??
I'm unclear if my UAL travel electronic voucher expiration date means the flight must be BOOKED within 1 year of issue or if the flight must be FLOWN within 1 year of expiration date ? It's not clear, only gives an expiration date.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Mar 11, 2020, 8:48 am
#552
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
It's a booking date, not a travel date.
Mar 11, 2020, 9:44 am
#554
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Also, the expiry can be flexible based on your elite level - for example, the 1K desk can still create a reservation using an expired ETC for a few days afterwards. I know from experience, as I had a credit expire around 2pm on the day of it's expiry, and after calling up the agent mentioned they had some flexibility in it's usage.
Mar 11, 2020, 10:06 am
#555
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
Also, the expiry can be flexible based on your elite level - for example, the 1K desk can still create a reservation using an expired ETC for a few days afterwards. I know from experience, as I had a credit expire around 2pm on the day of it's expiry, and after calling up the agent mentioned they had some flexibility in it's usage.
and yes, you just have to book before expiration - not fly the segments. Not sure how that works in the current world if you need to cancel/change a ticket that is booked with an ETC that is expired at the time of the change.