Last edit by: WineCountryUA
FFC == "Future Flight Credit"
When re-booking 3-March 2020 purchased tickets, if the new ticket is cheaper you will receive an ETC (good for 24 months); starting April 2021, this is now a new form of FFC
However for tickets purchased 3 March or later, the fare rules now state there is no "residual value" meaning no ETC for the fare drop and if you have to rebook again the credit is just the value of the new ticket.
For pre-1 April 2020 purchased, FFCs will be good for 24 months from the original purchase date
And there are no change fees
Change Fees Are Gone For Good
For purchases starting 1-April, the lifetime of FFCs are returning to the traditional 12 months from purchase
In some cases of voluntary cancellations, FFCs may be convertible to ETCs (seems pre 1 August 2020 purchase is a factor) but this can only be requested on the phone and may take days/weeks. This may be a way to avoid the problem of "no residual credit" YMMV
Update 4 April 2020
The below needs to be updated based on the changes above
This wiki discusses the for steps in using the "future flight credit" from a canceled non-refundable ticket. Note this is for the cancellation of an entire ticket -- the process is different for a partial flown ticket
- Note some tickets are non-changeable and have no residual value if not flown:
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...
New UA/*A TATL -LGT Economy fare - first bag charged, no changes allowed
- Notify UA of the cancellation before the scheduled departure. An absolute must, if not done the entire value will be lost. But see note below about Travel Waivers
- Wait until you are ready to reschedule. When ready you will need to pay a change fee in new money - the fee varies and will depend on the fare rules of the original fare. Note in many cases there is no longer a change fee (BE and flights origining outside the USA may still have a fee)
- If an ETC is issued, all of the funds in it must be used withinone twos year of issuance.
To get maximum ETC (or new type FFC), an option is to pay the change fee (if any) and book the cheapest possible OW fare and throw that ticket away -- how to find that cheap fare, see Cheapest possible flight (How do I redeem this flight credit?)
If the reason for the change / cancellation is due to medical issues or death of a close relative, see Consolidated "Refunds/Cancellations Due to Illness/Death" Thread [Merged] for the process to get a refund of the change / redeposit fee.
Other cases for "free" changes are:
1) if the flight is covered on the day of departure by a waiver (WX related or other reasons). Note there may be a limited time frame for the change fee waiver.
2) or by an airline's change in schedule
What if it is 1 year from the original ticket purchase date and I am not ready to buy another United ticket using my canceled ticket's funds? Buy a throwaway ticket on the cheapest fare you can find. United will issue an Electronic Travel Certificate for any unused funds. That ETC is valid for one year from issuance (see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1369495-ua-electronic-travel-certificates-etc-general-q-new-combinability-policy-34.html). If you do this on the expiry date of your original ticket, you effectively extend the availability of the funds for an additional year at the cost of a throwaway ticket.
What if I purchase a refundable ticket with the credit from the non-refundable ticket, can I then cancel and get a refund? No, the funds from a non-refundable purchase remain non-refundable even if used to purchase a refundable fare.
Cannot find the canceled reservation online?
Go to Manage Reservations and look in both "Current" and "Cancelled" tabs
Find the appropriate reservation and look for "Use Future Flight Credit"
After rebooking a canceled ticket, is there a new 24-hour window for fee changes?
No, the 24-hour flexible change only applies to the original /new booking and does not extend to rebooking of canceled / changed tickets.
United’s 24-hour cancellation / flexible booking policy
What if one leg is a refundable fare and another leg is non-refundable?
For a single ticket, the most restrictive fare rule applies to the entire ticket. So a refundable segment paired with a non-refundable segment makes the entire ticket non-refundable. Same with the change fee, the segment with the highest change fee applies to the entire ticket.
Archive thread: How to get residual/"future flight credit" from non-refundable flight {Archive}
Other related threads
Changing/Canceling/Replacing a ticket costing less than the change fee?
When re-booking 3-March 2020 purchased tickets, if the new ticket is cheaper you will receive an ETC (good for 24 months); starting April 2021, this is now a new form of FFC
If the new flight is priced higher, the customer may change for no change fee but must pay the fare difference. If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee but no residual value will be given.
- New tickets must be reissued within 24 months from original ticket date
- Rebooked travel must commence within 24 months from the original ticket issue date
Change Fees Are Gone For Good
For purchases starting 1-April, the lifetime of FFCs are returning to the traditional 12 months from purchase
In some cases of voluntary cancellations, FFCs may be convertible to ETCs (seems pre 1 August 2020 purchase is a factor) but this can only be requested on the phone and may take days/weeks. This may be a way to avoid the problem of "no residual credit" YMMV
Update 4 April 2020
We’re extending electronic certificates
To 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.
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.
To 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.
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 wiki discusses the for steps in using the "future flight credit" from a canceled non-refundable ticket. Note this is for the cancellation of an entire ticket -- the process is different for a partial flown ticket
- Note some tickets are non-changeable and have no residual value if not flown:
United's Basic Economy - Discussion, Q&A, ...
New UA/*A TATL -LGT Economy fare - first bag charged, no changes allowed
- Notify UA of the cancellation before the scheduled departure. An absolute must, if not done the entire value will be lost. But see note below about Travel Waivers
- Wait until you are ready to reschedule. When ready you will need to pay a change fee in new money - the fee varies and will depend on the fare rules of the original fare. Note in many cases there is no longer a change fee (BE and flights origining outside the USA may still have a fee)
- The new ticket must be purchased within 1 years of the original ticket's purchase date (pre-April 2020 purchases receive 2 year FFC)
- The new ticket will be good for 1 year from the exchange/re-scheduled date and travel must commence prior to the expiration of the original ticket
(an exception is if the new travel is just a date change, in this case, a new ticket may not be issued and initial purchase date will still prevail) - The new ticket must be for the same named traveler
- The portion of a ticket purchased with nonrefundable ticket credit will be nonrefundable regardless of the new ticket's fare rules
- The change fee requires payments of new funds and cannot be funded from the original ticket's value
- Any fare residual will issued as an ETC valid for
onetwo year.
- If an ETC is issued, all of the funds in it must be used within
- The ETC can be used by anyone.
- The
onetwo-year limitation only limits purchasing, not travel - travel may be outside the12-year limit. - There are no additional fees to use the ETC
- The credit voucher can only be used for UA/UX operated flights (workaround - UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights)
To get maximum ETC (or new type FFC), an option is to pay the change fee (if any) and book the cheapest possible OW fare and throw that ticket away -- how to find that cheap fare, see Cheapest possible flight (How do I redeem this flight credit?)
If the reason for the change / cancellation is due to medical issues or death of a close relative, see Consolidated "Refunds/Cancellations Due to Illness/Death" Thread [Merged] for the process to get a refund of the change / redeposit fee.
Other cases for "free" changes are:
1) if the flight is covered on the day of departure by a waiver (WX related or other reasons). Note there may be a limited time frame for the change fee waiver.
2) or by an airline's change in schedule
What if it is 1 year from the original ticket purchase date and I am not ready to buy another United ticket using my canceled ticket's funds? Buy a throwaway ticket on the cheapest fare you can find. United will issue an Electronic Travel Certificate for any unused funds. That ETC is valid for one year from issuance (see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1369495-ua-electronic-travel-certificates-etc-general-q-new-combinability-policy-34.html). If you do this on the expiry date of your original ticket, you effectively extend the availability of the funds for an additional year at the cost of a throwaway ticket.
What if I purchase a refundable ticket with the credit from the non-refundable ticket, can I then cancel and get a refund? No, the funds from a non-refundable purchase remain non-refundable even if used to purchase a refundable fare.
Cannot find the canceled reservation online?
Go to Manage Reservations and look in both "Current" and "Cancelled" tabs
Find the appropriate reservation and look for "Use Future Flight Credit"
After rebooking a canceled ticket, is there a new 24-hour window for fee changes?
No, the 24-hour flexible change only applies to the original /new booking and does not extend to rebooking of canceled / changed tickets.
United’s 24-hour cancellation / flexible booking policy
What if one leg is a refundable fare and another leg is non-refundable?
For a single ticket, the most restrictive fare rule applies to the entire ticket. So a refundable segment paired with a non-refundable segment makes the entire ticket non-refundable. Same with the change fee, the segment with the highest change fee applies to the entire ticket.
Archive thread: How to get residual/"future flight credit" from non-refundable flight {Archive}
Other related threads
Changing/Canceling/Replacing a ticket costing less than the change fee?
How to get residual/"future flight credit" from non-refundable flight
#136
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: 66,857
....
1) Do I have to complete travel on the ticket credit by the original purchase date, or is it sufficient to retain the ticket value (minus the change fee) by having it applied to a new reservation by the original purchase date? It's not a large amount, but I don't want to loose it completely, especially with miles no longer expiring on United.
1) Do I have to complete travel on the ticket credit by the original purchase date, or is it sufficient to retain the ticket value (minus the change fee) by having it applied to a new reservation by the original purchase date? It's not a large amount, but I don't want to loose it completely, especially with miles no longer expiring on United.
....3) Can the ticket be applied to a domestic destination, (for example DCA - KOA), vice PLS or another international destination?
Thanks much -- not certain of the nuances with applying remaining United ticket value, with the international component of the original ticket.
Thanks much -- not certain of the nuances with applying remaining United ticket value, with the international component of the original ticket.
A simply approach is to change to a throwaway ultra-cheap ticket and get the remaining value as an ETC which is very flexible to use.
#137
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DCA/IAD & BUF
Posts: 1,400
The ticket change must be with a year of the original purchase day. That new ticket can be as far as 11 months out.
Depends of the fare rules -- it can be complicated. probably yes but until you try impossible to answer.
You will have to have an agent investigate this as mentioned in the earlier response.
A simply approach is to change to a throwaway ultra-cheap ticket and get the remaining value as an ETC which is very flexible to use.
Depends of the fare rules -- it can be complicated. probably yes but until you try impossible to answer.
You will have to have an agent investigate this as mentioned in the earlier response.
A simply approach is to change to a throwaway ultra-cheap ticket and get the remaining value as an ETC which is very flexible to use.
Uh-oh. I should know this, but...what is ETC? If my recall is right the residual ticket value will be about $450.00.
#138
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: 66,857
UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): General Q&A, new combinability policy, ...
#139
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Hello, posted this on another thread and was referred here. Great information for my issue, but I want to make sure our plan here is allowed before moving forward with it.
I have a relative that bought an international ticket last year for about 2000 USD (trip was called off because of a serious illness in the family they were going to visit overseas). She doesn't plan to travel during the 1-year period needed to book a new flight, and access the travel credit...but also doesn't want to lose the total value of the ticket. She lives in Hawaii, so doing a quick flight just to allow the balance to become an ETC which anyone can use. (It also would mean losing a full day in an airplane.)
Basically, she wants to book the flight but not make the travel. She would lose the value of that flight, but the remaining money would (hopefully) convert the balance to an ETC, which her kids could then use for travel.
Could she potentially book a flight from, say, SFO-LAX, just to create a ticket, even if she doesn't plan to make that trip?
Would it be better to book a flight from Hawaii to LAX, since she is from there, and not make the trip?
Thanks in advance.
I have a relative that bought an international ticket last year for about 2000 USD (trip was called off because of a serious illness in the family they were going to visit overseas). She doesn't plan to travel during the 1-year period needed to book a new flight, and access the travel credit...but also doesn't want to lose the total value of the ticket. She lives in Hawaii, so doing a quick flight just to allow the balance to become an ETC which anyone can use. (It also would mean losing a full day in an airplane.)
Basically, she wants to book the flight but not make the travel. She would lose the value of that flight, but the remaining money would (hopefully) convert the balance to an ETC, which her kids could then use for travel.
Could she potentially book a flight from, say, SFO-LAX, just to create a ticket, even if she doesn't plan to make that trip?
Would it be better to book a flight from Hawaii to LAX, since she is from there, and not make the trip?
Thanks in advance.
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
I would not start in Hawaii because it will be easier to do on UA metal and the only ex-Hawaii flights are expensive.
#141
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Hello, posted this on another thread and was referred here. Great information for my issue, but I want to make sure our plan here is allowed before moving forward with it.
I have a relative that bought an international ticket last year for about 2000 USD (trip was called off because of a serious illness in the family they were going to visit overseas). She doesn't plan to travel during the 1-year period needed to book a new flight, and access the travel credit...but also doesn't want to lose the total value of the ticket. She lives in Hawaii, so doing a quick flight just to allow the balance to become an ETC which anyone can use. (It also would mean losing a full day in an airplane.)
Basically, she wants to book the flight but not make the travel. She would lose the value of that flight, but the remaining money would (hopefully) convert the balance to an ETC, which her kids could then use for travel.
Could she potentially book a flight from, say, SFO-LAX, just to create a ticket, even if she doesn't plan to make that trip?
Would it be better to book a flight from Hawaii to LAX, since she is from there, and not make the trip?
Thanks in advance.
I have a relative that bought an international ticket last year for about 2000 USD (trip was called off because of a serious illness in the family they were going to visit overseas). She doesn't plan to travel during the 1-year period needed to book a new flight, and access the travel credit...but also doesn't want to lose the total value of the ticket. She lives in Hawaii, so doing a quick flight just to allow the balance to become an ETC which anyone can use. (It also would mean losing a full day in an airplane.)
Basically, she wants to book the flight but not make the travel. She would lose the value of that flight, but the remaining money would (hopefully) convert the balance to an ETC, which her kids could then use for travel.
Could she potentially book a flight from, say, SFO-LAX, just to create a ticket, even if she doesn't plan to make that trip?
Would it be better to book a flight from Hawaii to LAX, since she is from there, and not make the trip?
Thanks in advance.
#142
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
How long would the ETC be valid for? Would its validity dates be related to original ticket purchase and/or original travel date?
#143
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
ETC can also be combined with other ETC/s to gain later expiration date: UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): Q&A, OK for partners, 2 year life (Dec 2022)
#144
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
Just to verify - if I have a 'nonrefundable' ticket (ie. regular economy ticket say EWR-IAH) and I can't fly ... I should go to my reservations and 'cancel' the reservation prior to the flight time? And I can use that reservation to change to another flight (say PHL-AUS) by paying $200 but applying the value of that ticket to the final cost?
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
Just to verify - if I have a 'nonrefundable' ticket (ie. regular economy ticket say EWR-IAH) and I can't fly ... I should go to my reservations and 'cancel' the reservation prior to the flight time? And I can use that reservation to change to another flight (say PHL-AUS) by paying $200 but applying the value of that ticket to the final cost?
Of course, it is only worthwhile if the original coupon value is more than $200.
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
Just to verify - if I have a 'nonrefundable' ticket (ie. regular economy ticket say EWR-IAH) and I can't fly ... I should go to my reservations and 'cancel' the reservation prior to the flight time? And I can use that reservation to change to another flight (say PHL-AUS) by paying $200 but applying the value of that ticket to the final cost?
#147
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Just to verify - if I have a 'nonrefundable' ticket (ie. regular economy ticket say EWR-IAH) and I can't fly ... I should go to my reservations and 'cancel' the reservation prior to the flight time? And I can use that reservation to change to another flight (say PHL-AUS) by paying $200 but applying the value of that ticket to the final cost?
#148
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
Thank you all. The original value is in excess of $1000 and is not Basic Economy ticket. Will cancel way before the flight.
#149
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Refunds (credit) transfer
I hope this is the correct forum, if not, I'll beg some forgiveness and accept correction.
We booked an overseas flight - non-refundable. 8 people. Non-refundable.
We had two of those people cancel and called united 6 months in advance.
My "understanding" of CS is that because we called, we could keep the flight credit (they sent a confirmation number) but re-booking those flights was subject to a fee $250-$400.
We later tried to re-book and were told that the credit ONLY applies to the originally booked passengers and we cannot "transfer" the credit to another passenger name. CS then said we should request a refund, which of course, was declined.
Can someone confirm the sanity of this? IE credit associated with non-refundable flights cannot be applied to another passenger name?
We booked an overseas flight - non-refundable. 8 people. Non-refundable.
We had two of those people cancel and called united 6 months in advance.
My "understanding" of CS is that because we called, we could keep the flight credit (they sent a confirmation number) but re-booking those flights was subject to a fee $250-$400.
We later tried to re-book and were told that the credit ONLY applies to the originally booked passengers and we cannot "transfer" the credit to another passenger name. CS then said we should request a refund, which of course, was declined.
Can someone confirm the sanity of this? IE credit associated with non-refundable flights cannot be applied to another passenger name?
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
What you were told is correct. The value of the ticket can be used for alternative travel by the passenger named on that ticket, by paying the applicable change fee (ca. $300 sounds about right although it varies for international travel). Furthermore, this must be done within 1 year of the original ticket purchase, or the entire coupon value is forfeit.
If the value is significant and the named passenger cannot fly, you may change it to an inexpensive new itinerary and receive an electronic travel certificate for the difference in value. This certificate may then be used for travel by any passenger, on itineraries involving exclusively United metal. (The short flight for the named pax would then be no-showed and the value forfeit.) For more see Cheapest possible flight (How do I redeem this flight credit?)
If the value is significant and the named passenger cannot fly, you may change it to an inexpensive new itinerary and receive an electronic travel certificate for the difference in value. This certificate may then be used for travel by any passenger, on itineraries involving exclusively United metal. (The short flight for the named pax would then be no-showed and the value forfeit.) For more see Cheapest possible flight (How do I redeem this flight credit?)