Jan 8, 15, 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)
Dec 28, 16, 4:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Tit
Posts: 263
UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): Q&A, OK for partners, 2 year life (Dec 2022)
Hi-
I got a voucher for volunteering to take a later flight. If I use this voucher to purchase a flight next year, will that count towards premier qualifying? I'm mostly concerned about PQM's but curious about PQD's as well. Are vouchers essentially the same as out of pocket payment?
On a sub-topic, is there a difference if a voucher is used for all or part of a ticket: Say I have a $400 voucher.
a) I buy a $390 ticket and write off the $10 remaining or...
b) I buy a $700 ticket and pay $300 out of my own pocket.
I got a voucher for volunteering to take a later flight. If I use this voucher to purchase a flight next year, will that count towards premier qualifying? I'm mostly concerned about PQM's but curious about PQD's as well. Are vouchers essentially the same as out of pocket payment?
On a sub-topic, is there a difference if a voucher is used for all or part of a ticket: Say I have a $400 voucher.
a) I buy a $390 ticket and write off the $10 remaining or...
b) I buy a $700 ticket and pay $300 out of my own pocket.
Dec 28, 16, 4:35 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.9MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 63,085
Way in the distance past when VDBs were "free tickets", those were not mileage earning -- but those have been gone for many years.
Dec 28, 16, 5:12 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Tit
Posts: 263
Thanks, WineCountry!
Dec 28, 16, 6:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Silver, DL, AA
Posts: 164
I didn't expect it to work based on what I've read here on FT. I was surprised when nothing was due.
Jan 1, 17, 4:15 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,313
So another alternative, is instead of one PNR, two people. Book the travel for two people on two PNRs. Book the first ticket and then use the remainder of the ETC for the second ticket / PNR.
For example, say you cancel a $1700 ticket for person X; you could buy a $50 SFO-LAS one-way for person X and you'd be given a $1650 ETC that you can use on anyone.
Jan 7, 17, 2:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Could be anywhere...
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 232
Electronic Travel Certificate
Hi All,
Is there a way to add the $500 ETC I received as a voluntary bump to my travel bank (or MilagePlus account in another way?)
I'll be traveling with an open itinerary starting next month (which was the motivation behind volunteering for the $500) but don't want to have to bring this cardstock certificate around with me. Just seems to easy to forget about or even lose.
Thanks,
Blake
Is there a way to add the $500 ETC I received as a voluntary bump to my travel bank (or MilagePlus account in another way?)
I'll be traveling with an open itinerary starting next month (which was the motivation behind volunteering for the $500) but don't want to have to bring this cardstock certificate around with me. Just seems to easy to forget about or even lose.
Thanks,
Blake
Jan 7, 17, 2:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,699
Not to my knowledge. I've taken a photo of mine and stored it accordingly digitally until I needed to use it.
Just take a photo of it on your phone?
Just take a photo of it on your phone?
Jan 7, 17, 2:43 pm
#8
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.9MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 63,085
Jan 8, 17, 3:22 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 42
Recently went in and changed a reservation that had been completely paid for with an ETC... the new ticket was significantly less than the original. The UA website said I'd be given the fare difference (minus the change fee, of course) on an ETC. 24hrs pass and I hadn't received anything. I called into customer service and was told that a new pin would be mailed to me in 7-10 business days. The agent refused to give me the new ETC pin over the phone for security/ fraud reasons. I'd like to use the ETC on a new booking asap before the prices jump. Is this standard practice.. an ETC via snail mail?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 8, 17 at 12:05 pm Reason: moved to this thread
Jan 8, 17, 9:52 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
Yes, standard practice as far as I can tell. On a recent refund I received the new ETC later. It was sent by email (although they did say "by mail" on the phone), and it took about a week.
Also wanted to use it asap, but could not - so had to use it on the next reservation.
Also wanted to use it asap, but could not - so had to use it on the next reservation.
Jan 8, 17, 10:42 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,835
I wish there were, particularly since the mess with getting mine and UA emailing them to someone besides me 
Now I periodically check them to make sure they haven't been drained. If they were in my account I wouldn't have to worry about it.
Now I periodically check them to make sure they haven't been drained. If they were in my account I wouldn't have to worry about it.
Jan 9, 17, 4:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,110
I've had the same experience: an ETC from a cancelled+rebooked PNR: I'd already booked one (cheap-ish) flight for myself with that ETC, and then successfully booked a 2-passenger domestic flight, using only the ETC for payment (the ETC still has some value left after that booking).
Jan 16, 17, 1:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
UA certificate
Hi,
I got 2 $200 (my wife and I) certificate because flight canceled. Can I use both certificates on one ticket or I have to use them on separate tickets?
Thanks,
I got 2 $200 (my wife and I) certificate because flight canceled. Can I use both certificates on one ticket or I have to use them on separate tickets?
Thanks,
Jan 16, 17, 1:36 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 767
Only one per passenger on the ticket (e.g., you can't combine two certs for the same person on the same itin). You can use them if you book two one-ways for the same person.
Jan 16, 17, 1:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
thanks, very useful information. I am looking for 2 one way now.
any destination suggestions for one way $200 tickets? from Toronto area ( I can drive to buffalo for flight).
Thanks,
any destination suggestions for one way $200 tickets? from Toronto area ( I can drive to buffalo for flight).
Thanks,
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 16, 17 at 2:23 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
