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)
#151
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 422
I have googled a ton
I am guessing the answer is no
csn u use ETC to buy PQM?
I am guessing the answer is no
csn u use ETC to buy PQM?
#152
formerly FrequentFlyKid
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Programs: United Global Services, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 981
#153
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
Random question: has anyone had any success paying for an add-collect with an e-cert? Often have my tickets bought for me and then I call in to upfare to W->R on intl, and have a batch of e-certs I'd love to use in that context.
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,022
#155
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,095
Data point: Global Services agent was able to search a database for all active ETCs associated with my account and my wife's account, which included a bunch I didn't even realize existed. She then combined them all from both accounts into a single ETC with expiration date of the most recent one (i.e., the latest possible expiration).
#156
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
Beyond making tracking somewhat easier, what's the reason/benefit of calling UA to ask them to combine multiple ETCs and reissue the amount as a single ETC?
The UA web site happily let me apply multiple ETCs to my most recent booking and I didn't have to call anyone.
The web site still has the really annoying bug where you can't pay with ETCs if you are using GPUs at time of booking, but that's easily worked around by booking / paying first in one transaction and then doing the upgrades with GPUs immediately after.
The UA web site happily let me apply multiple ETCs to my most recent booking and I didn't have to call anyone.
The web site still has the really annoying bug where you can't pay with ETCs if you are using GPUs at time of booking, but that's easily worked around by booking / paying first in one transaction and then doing the upgrades with GPUs immediately after.
#159
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: 3,319
Data point: Global Services agent was able to search a database for all active ETCs associated with my account and my wife's account, which included a bunch I didn't even realize existed. She then combined them all from both accounts into a single ETC with expiration date of the most recent one (i.e., the latest possible expiration).
#161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Redeemed one TCVA e-cert for a ticket. The value covers the whole ticket.
Canceled the ticket within 24 hours. It says a refund will be credited to an electronic travel certificate. The electronic travel certificate will be sent to your e-mail address.
But the certificate never arrives? The residue value of original e-cert remains the same.
Should I call?
Canceled the ticket within 24 hours. It says a refund will be credited to an electronic travel certificate. The electronic travel certificate will be sent to your e-mail address.
But the certificate never arrives? The residue value of original e-cert remains the same.
Should I call?
#162
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SFO,ICN,HKG
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 2
Combined four ETCs. The first Agent was "What do you mean? You can't combine ETC." Hung up right away. The second Agent was very helpful and quick but as it mentioned in the thread they wanted me to make reservation right away. So I made two reservations on hold(selected pay in person option), and called again. The third agent was quite slow but helpful. Took an hour. But she didn't charged me the phone booking fee.
One of my reservation was in foreign currency so it didn't get ticketed for almost 48hours. Called again and the agent said it has to be verified by person not thru system when using ETC in foreign currency ticket. Hung up and got ticketed in 10 minutes. Duh..
One of my reservation was in foreign currency so it didn't get ticketed for almost 48hours. Called again and the agent said it has to be verified by person not thru system when using ETC in foreign currency ticket. Hung up and got ticketed in 10 minutes. Duh..
#163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,965
I have one that expires tomorrow. Agent first said a supervisor had to combine it because the automated system is not ready yet. She first said there is no telling what expiration will be given.
After she got the supervisor, she came back and said that if we combined, we had to book right away because it will have tomorrow's expiration date.. HOWEVER, she also said that I can call on Monday to have them extend for 30 days as they automatically do this for 1Ks as a rule/policy. I told her that it would be nice to get a later expiration but go just go ahead and combine them and I will take a chance and book.
THEN, she came back and re-iterated that if they combined and I used it, I can't get it back. I said I understood and go ahead.
THEN, she came back again and suggested why don't I book a refundable ticket with the one that expires tomorrow and cancel it to get it extended.
They are trying to help me but the interaction is kind of interesting. Now I don't know what to do.... I would be booking a trip 3 months away with the combined amount but the chances of having to cancel is not high.
After she got the supervisor, she came back and said that if we combined, we had to book right away because it will have tomorrow's expiration date.. HOWEVER, she also said that I can call on Monday to have them extend for 30 days as they automatically do this for 1Ks as a rule/policy. I told her that it would be nice to get a later expiration but go just go ahead and combine them and I will take a chance and book.
THEN, she came back and re-iterated that if they combined and I used it, I can't get it back. I said I understood and go ahead.
THEN, she came back again and suggested why don't I book a refundable ticket with the one that expires tomorrow and cancel it to get it extended.
They are trying to help me but the interaction is kind of interesting. Now I don't know what to do.... I would be booking a trip 3 months away with the combined amount but the chances of having to cancel is not high.
#164
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
This is frustrating as I have called twice and both times agents say they are talking to their supervisor who says that they can combine it but only if i'm making a reservation right now. In August I combined them and they emailed me another combined denomination cert.
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,022
Email 1K voice. That is what I did and they got it done.