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 2, 2020, 10:14 am
#662
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
A few have reported that but we haven;t figured out why?
Anything unusual about the purchase? Did you use ETCs or other credits? Was this purchased via a travel agent? When was it purchased? Had there been a prior schedule change? Partner flights? Looking for anything the would be different than those that have the ETC option?
Anything unusual about the purchase? Did you use ETCs or other credits? Was this purchased via a travel agent? When was it purchased? Had there been a prior schedule change? Partner flights? Looking for anything the would be different than those that have the ETC option?
May 3, 2020, 4:13 pm
#663
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 80
How is an ETC applied when multiple people (including 1 card member) are on a reservation and does it matter? For example - say I had a $300 ETC used to purchase 4 $100 tickets. Will the value be split evenly across the 4 tickets are applied to 3 in full. Basically - if I’m on a reservation and use my card for any part of it - do I get the benefit regardless of which passengers the ETC is applied to? (On a side note - I now also have to take this into account for the new United card for charging $100 seven times to get the $100 credit - In my hypothetical above will I see one $100 charge or 4 $25 charges)?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm Reason: Moved to exisiting thread
May 3, 2020, 4:53 pm
#664
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
How is an ETC applied when multiple people (including 1 card member) are on a reservation and does it matter? For example - say I had a $300 ETC used to purchase 4 $100 tickets. Will the value be split evenly across the 4 tickets are applied to 3 in full. Basically - if I’m on a reservation and use my card for any part of it - do I get the benefit regardless of which passengers the ETC is applied to? (On a side note - I now also have to take this into account for the new United card for charging $100 seven times to get the $100 credit - In my hypothetical above will I see one $100 charge or 4 $25 charges)?
see this thread's wiki
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 3, 2020 at 5:01 pm Reason: cleanup after move
May 3, 2020, 8:46 pm
#665
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 80
A particular ETC can only be used for a single passenger in a joint PNR. Each passenger can have a different ETC. You can apply the unused ETC to another ticker, but it will have to be another PNR.
see this thread's wiki
see this thread's wiki
May 3, 2020, 8:49 pm
#666
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
May 3, 2020, 8:55 pm
#667
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 80
They were crystal clear on the terms of the ETCs. 2 years from day of issuance of the ETC and can be used for anyone. When I booked, it asked me if I wanted to use the ETC for some or all of the passengers and would have allowed me to apply it to 1, 2 or all three. In my case I used all three and still had some value left over which remains on the ETC. So because I paid in full, I'm not sure what happens in the case where the ETC is for a lesser value than the full reservation. So my question was if, for example, I (as a cardholder) booked a reservation for 4 of us which cost $400 and I had a $300 travel voucher - will I definitely get the credit or do I need to ensure that the remaining $100 I have to pay is at least partially tied to my personal reservation. I know when I book 4 RT tickets on United - it usually shows on my card as 4 separate transactions. Not sure if how they apply it makes any difference.
May 3, 2020, 9:01 pm
#668
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
that is relatively new and a good change
May 7, 2020, 12:16 pm
#669
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
I have tried:
- ticket number and PIN as a single code without any spaces
- request ID and PIN as a single code without any spaces
- the letters "ETC" and PIN as a single code without any spaces
May 7, 2020, 12:30 pm
#670
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
May 7, 2020, 5:04 pm
#671
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
Many thanks! I have added this information to the wiki. My ETC did not have any promotion code, so the detail you provided made it work.
May 7, 2020, 5:10 pm
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
In one case it was a TA reservation, but that one gave an error when hitting the cancel button and explained why. I was able to call and request one. I can't imagine anything good happens to the commission in the process . . . not happy thinking about that-- UA gets the revenue all the same.
Just to close the commission loop, I spoke to the TA as a courtesy (I never like to touch her tickets without telling her, even if I do so after the fact). She related that she only gets screwed when customers refund (which is what most customers want nowadays, incidentally). Vouchers are a wash.
May 8, 2020, 7:14 am
#673
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM/AA Gold & 1MM/HH Gold/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,928
One of my ETCs shows "Invalid Date" next to issue date. Should I be worried?
May 8, 2020, 8:29 am
#674
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
I have two vouchers from United. One from December 2019 for $300 and 1 from January 2020 for $150. In my profile on ua site I can only see the one for $150. Is there a reason why I don't see the other one?
May 8, 2020, 10:49 am
#675
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
What was the reason for the other? Some reports in this thread are suggesting VDB ETCs are not showing
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 8, 2020 at 11:20 am Reason: typo