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
#331
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 930
How exactly can I do this online? I see the flight credit but not sure how to get the immediate ETC credit.
Thanks
Thanks
#332
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: 66,850
(this is an image from a few months ago and it may have changed a little)
Was the original purchase a cash / credit card only purchase on inited.com? Or was it done with any credits or only another site? Was it a Basic Economy ticket?
#333
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 930
It was a regular United.com booking into First Class.
So, even though the I cancelled my flight four months ago, I still click on Cancel Flight?
Thanks Wine
So, even though the I cancelled my flight four months ago, I still click on Cancel Flight?
Thanks Wine
#334
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: 66,850
Once converted to ETC, you should see the ETC in My Account
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
#335
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 930
Got it!
Thanks again. Let's hope I actually get to fly this time
So I went into Future Flight Credit tab and only got this:
Does this mean I have to call?
Thanks again. Let's hope I actually get to fly this time
So I went into Future Flight Credit tab and only got this:
Does this mean I have to call?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 11, 2020 at 5:19 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
#336
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: 66,850
#337
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: ORD/MDW
Posts: 19
Wondering about this situation....
I have a “future flight credit” for $xxxx. It’s in my husband’s name and I need to use the credit for myself. If I were to book a refundable ticket that we don’t need from this credit, and then cancel, would the refund credit still be tied to my husband’s name? Or would I be able to use the credit for any ticket, a la one for myself?
thanks in advance for any anecdotes/insight.
thanks in advance for any anecdotes/insight.
#338
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: 66,850
I have a “future flight credit” for $xxxx. It’s in my husband’s name and I need to use the credit for myself. If I were to book a refundable ticket that we don’t need from this credit, and then cancel, would the refund credit still be tied to my husband’s name? Or would I be able to use the credit for any ticket, a la one for myself?....
The ETC can be used by anyone
Note ETCs can not be easily used for codeshares / partner flights.
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
I have a “future flight credit” for $xxxx. It’s in my husband’s name and I need to use the credit for myself. If I were to book a refundable ticket that we don’t need from this credit, and then cancel, would the refund credit still be tied to my husband’s name? Or would I be able to use the credit for any ticket, a la one for myself?
thanks in advance for any anecdotes/insight.
thanks in advance for any anecdotes/insight.
In the pre-COVID era, the process that you would have needed would have been to buy a really inexpensive fare for your husband, which would result in an ETC being issued for the remainder. For most tickets purchased prior to March 2, that''s still an option if you don't have the ability to convert to an ETC.
#340
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 28
Best way to use future travel credit for another passenger?
The future travel credit is another scam by United.
Is there ANY way to be able to use future travel credit for another passenger? Right now it seems my best bet is to convert the future travel credit into an ETC which can take over a month to get... I need to book this flight sooner. Thanks.
Is there ANY way to be able to use future travel credit for another passenger? Right now it seems my best bet is to convert the future travel credit into an ETC which can take over a month to get... I need to book this flight sooner. Thanks.
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
It's not a scam; it's the way that nonrefundable airfare has operated since it was introduced.
When did you buy your ticket?
You may no longer be able to do the FFC->ETC conversion. It appears that UA may be shutting that loophole.
You may no longer be able to do the FFC->ETC conversion. It appears that UA may be shutting that loophole.
#342
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: 66,850
FFC is the standard in the airline industry since forever for non-refundable tickets.
ETC is the way to transfer funds to another traveler. The easy availability of ETCs by UA was a nice feature but going thru an agent now has made it harder and slower.
Depending on the amount of the FFC, rebooking a sub $40 or even $30 ticket, will lead to an immediate issued ETC for the reminder (if the prior ticket was issued before 3 March 2020.
Depending on the amount of the FFC, rebooking a sub $40 or even $30 ticket, will lead to an immediate issued ETC for the reminder (if the prior ticket was issued before 3 March 2020.
#343
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 28
FFC is the standard in the airline industry since forever for non-refundable tickets.
ETC is the way to transfer funds to another traveler. The easy availability of ETCs by UA was a nice feature but going thru an agent now has made it harder and slower.
Depending on the amount of the FFC, rebooking a sub $40 or even $30 ticket, will lead to an immediate issued ETC for the reminder (if the prior ticket was issued before 3 March 2020.
ETC is the way to transfer funds to another traveler. The easy availability of ETCs by UA was a nice feature but going thru an agent now has made it harder and slower.
Depending on the amount of the FFC, rebooking a sub $40 or even $30 ticket, will lead to an immediate issued ETC for the reminder (if the prior ticket was issued before 3 March 2020.
This is not true. They must have recently changed the rules. If I use the FFC and the new ticket is lower value, I lose all of the remaining ticket value. So my $500 becomes $0 with a $30 ticket. This was confirmed with United customer service.
#344
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: 66,850
You can try to request an ETC from an agent (if purchased prior to 1 Aug 2020 -- YMMV).
The approach still works for tickets purchased pre-3 March.
What was your original purchase date?
#345
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 28
If your original ticket was purchased 3 March 2020 or later that is true (as cautioned in the original post). In exchange for that, UA offers 12 months of no change fee for those tickets.
You can try to request an ETC from an agent (if purchased prior to 1 Aug 2020 -- YMMV).
The approach still works for tickets purchased pre-3 March.
What was your original purchase date?
You can try to request an ETC from an agent (if purchased prior to 1 Aug 2020 -- YMMV).
The approach still works for tickets purchased pre-3 March.
What was your original purchase date?
March 21st. They said it will take a month to convert to an ETC.