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)
Jan 16, 2017, 1:55 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 825
Sorry - if both you and your wife are going, each can use a cert for a round-trip. I meant that if only you were going to go, you can use one $200 for the outbound (one way) and the other $200 for the return (the second one way).
Jan 16, 2017, 2:26 pm
#18
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: 66,783
Jan 23, 2017, 11:04 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The Golden State
Programs: UAL, Marriott, Skymiles, AAdvantage, trueBlue, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hyatt,Leaders Club, Alaska
Posts: 493
Questions regarding $1000 travel certificate
I was offered a $1000 travel cert on a recent flight to move to the next flight. I took it. Here are my questions that I'm having a hard time getting answered:
1. Do I have to use the whole $1000 for one trip?
2. Can I use it for multiple tickets for the same trip?
3. Does it apply to code share flights?
Thanks.
SIN1K
1. Do I have to use the whole $1000 for one trip?
2. Can I use it for multiple tickets for the same trip?
3. Does it apply to code share flights?
Thanks.
SIN1K
Jan 23, 2017, 11:10 am
#20
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: 66,783
No, the remainder is available for future usage
a given ETC can only be used for one passenger on the same PNR. But it can be used by others on a different PNR.
See this thread's wiki for more.
No but there is a multi-step method some have used in the wiki of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...r-flights.html.
a given ETC can only be used for one passenger on the same PNR. But it can be used by others on a different PNR.
See this thread's wiki for more.
No but there is a multi-step method some have used in the wiki of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...r-flights.html.
Jan 23, 2017, 12:27 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The Golden State
Programs: UAL, Marriott, Skymiles, AAdvantage, trueBlue, Starwood Preferred Guest, Hyatt,Leaders Club, Alaska
Posts: 493
Thank you. Does this apply to paper certificates too?
Jan 23, 2017, 1:37 pm
#22
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: 66,783
Feb 15, 2017, 1:20 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,266
Can you apply multiple ETC's to a new reservation?
I have quite a few ETC's stacked up.... any way to apply multiple ETC's to a new ticket?
Feb 15, 2017, 1:27 pm
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Nope.
Sometimes you can call and convince customer service to combine them and issue a new, larger one. But even that is relatively uncommon.
Sometimes you can call and convince customer service to combine them and issue a new, larger one. But even that is relatively uncommon.
Feb 15, 2017, 8:24 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Feb 15, 2017, 8:51 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 80
I think I know the answer but can't hurt to ask anyway...
Was doing some housecleaning a came across a number of United Upgrade certs I had never used. They are all expired and quite old, 2000, is there any way to have them converted/honored at this point or are the destined for the shredder?
Was doing some housecleaning a came across a number of United Upgrade certs I had never used. They are all expired and quite old, 2000, is there any way to have them converted/honored at this point or are the destined for the shredder?
Feb 15, 2017, 9:28 pm
#27
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: 66,783
I think I know the answer but can't hurt to ask anyway...
Was doing some housecleaning a came across a number of United Upgrade certs I had never used. They are all expired and quite old, 2000, is there any way to have them converted/honored at this point or are the destined for the shredder?
Was doing some housecleaning a came across a number of United Upgrade certs I had never used. They are all expired and quite old, 2000, is there any way to have them converted/honored at this point or are the destined for the shredder?
So, I probably would not even bother trying.
Feb 15, 2017, 11:00 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 80
UA provides a 1 month grace period after expiration. An year, let alone almost 2 decades is a bit much. Additionally the coding / numbering system of the certs is completely different now and the present system will not accept the old codes, so you would need a re-issued cert.
So, I probably would not even bother trying.
So, I probably would not even bother trying.
Feb 18, 2017, 8:12 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 264
I booked a flight for this summer earlier today, ticketed by company travel agent, each ticket was a W fare. I have a $500 voucher (16TCVA variety) so I figured I'd spend it on upgrading the tickets to first. Both flights have P fares available, and the difference in price from W to P is around $300 each way. So my plan was to use the $500 certificate (it's just like cash, right?) and supplement with $100 on my credit card.
Called the 1k line and got an agent who understood what I was trying to do. But 20 minutes later, after trying to enter the cert and my credit card, then my credit card followed by the cert, said that the voucher could only be use if it covered the entire cost of the upgrade. So I had her only upgrade me on the return leg, and now have $200 left on the voucher.
Is this a HUACA situation? It just seems really odd to me that they can use vouchers plus credit card if I'm buying trips for my family on .bomb, but a United 1k call line agent is incapable of combining a voucher plus credit card for a buy-up upgrade within the 24 hour of purchase window.
Thoughts, advice, experience? Maybe I'll call back and try to upgrade the outbound leg separately with a different agent?
-------------
Update - the next morning: I called the 1k line back and specifically asked about an upgrade with credit card plus certificate. The agent immediately told me that a certificate for a re-issued ticket must cover the entire cost, no combining with a credit card. So that's the nuance: You can combine on a new purchase, but not on a re-issued ticket. This is an important nuance for those of us who want to upgrade company travel agent purchased tickets.
Called the 1k line and got an agent who understood what I was trying to do. But 20 minutes later, after trying to enter the cert and my credit card, then my credit card followed by the cert, said that the voucher could only be use if it covered the entire cost of the upgrade. So I had her only upgrade me on the return leg, and now have $200 left on the voucher.
Is this a HUACA situation? It just seems really odd to me that they can use vouchers plus credit card if I'm buying trips for my family on .bomb, but a United 1k call line agent is incapable of combining a voucher plus credit card for a buy-up upgrade within the 24 hour of purchase window.
Thoughts, advice, experience? Maybe I'll call back and try to upgrade the outbound leg separately with a different agent?
-------------
Update - the next morning: I called the 1k line back and specifically asked about an upgrade with credit card plus certificate. The agent immediately told me that a certificate for a re-issued ticket must cover the entire cost, no combining with a credit card. So that's the nuance: You can combine on a new purchase, but not on a re-issued ticket. This is an important nuance for those of us who want to upgrade company travel agent purchased tickets.
Last edited by jtet; Feb 19, 2017 at 1:07 pm Reason: Follow-up update
Feb 23, 2017, 6:58 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Yesterday I converted two cancelled flights into new reservations, and on the confirmation page was informed of ETCs being issued in both cases- one around $600, the other in the low $200s.
I never received email confirmation of the flight change (it is ticketed in my reservations online), and also never received the ETCs. In the past, I've had them hit my inbox almost immediately.
What to do? I'd actually like to apply one of them shortly....
I never received email confirmation of the flight change (it is ticketed in my reservations online), and also never received the ETCs. In the past, I've had them hit my inbox almost immediately.
What to do? I'd actually like to apply one of them shortly....