Apr 9, 20, 2:37 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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* In mid-2021, UA started a process that unify ETCs/FFCs and expand their usability, jointly they are called "travel credits"
* There are still a few differences - transferability and expiration are different
* Conversion of FFCs to ETCs are no longer an option
* See this UA announcement (27 Sept 2021) for some insight
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FFC -- Future flight Credit issued when you voluntarily cancel or change a non-refundable flight
ETC -- A credit issued generally for a service related issue, broken seat, a significant delayed flight due to UA issues, ....
Refunds due to significant schedule changes or cancellations are different, see Schedule Change(Back to 2hrs)/Cancelation Refund,New DOT ruling,UA processing refunds
Can I convert a FFC to ETC? Can I get an ETC instead of FFC?
ETCs can be used for internet access, E+, subscriptions, upgrades, bag fees
Other useful threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
Future Flight Credits (FFC) Available on My Trips page?
Issues with UA's online rebooking: Missing flights, higher prices, changed cabin, ..
Is UA enforcing No Residual Value restriction found in some fare rules?
UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): General Q&A, ... now 2 year life ...Closed
UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights ...Closed
How to get residual value ("future flight credit") from non-refundable flight ...Closed
Archive:
Understanding/Using UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Future Flight Credit {Archive}
* In mid-2021, UA started a process that unify ETCs/FFCs and expand their usability, jointly they are called "travel credits"
* There are still a few differences - transferability and expiration are different
* Conversion of FFCs to ETCs are no longer an option
* See this UA announcement (27 Sept 2021) for some insight
**************************************
FFC -- Future flight Credit issued when you voluntarily cancel or change a non-refundable flight
ETC -- A credit issued generally for a service related issue, broken seat, a significant delayed flight due to UA issues, ....
Refunds due to significant schedule changes or cancellations are different, see Schedule Change(Back to 2hrs)/Cancelation Refund,New DOT ruling,UA processing refunds
United travel credits
We have two types of travel credits, and both can easily be used to shop for flights and amenities on our website or app. Get to know future flight credits and travel certificates.
How do I redeem my travel credits? Can anyone use my credits?
To use travel credits with PlusPoints, youll need to book your ticket using your travel credit and then request a PlusPoints upgrade.Do travel credits expire?
We have two types of travel credits, and both can easily be used to shop for flights and amenities on our website or app. Get to know future flight credits and travel certificates.
How do I redeem my travel credits?
Shop for your flight as you normally would. Once you get to checkout, all unused travel credits that are connected to your MileagePlus account will automatically appear once you select Travel Credits as a payment option. All you have to do is select the checkbox next to the credit and it will automatically be applied to your reservation.
If you dont see one of your travel credits listed, or dont have a MileagePlus account, you can also look up your credit directly from checkout and apply it to your cart.
If you dont see one of your travel credits listed, or dont have a MileagePlus account, you can also look up your credit directly from checkout and apply it to your cart.
Who can actually use a travel credit varies based on credit type.
Future flight credits
Normally, a future flight credit is non-transferrable and therefore must be used by the same traveler it was issued to. However, all future flight credits that were issued for tickets purchased on or before August 31, 2021, can now be used to book travel for anyone, including yourself, friends, or family. If you have trouble using a future flight credit, please contact Reservations at 1-800-864-8331.
Future flight credits
Normally, a future flight credit is non-transferrable and therefore must be used by the same traveler it was issued to. However, all future flight credits that were issued for tickets purchased on or before August 31, 2021, can now be used to book travel for anyone, including yourself, friends, or family. If you have trouble using a future flight credit, please contact Reservations at 1-800-864-8331.
Travel certificates
These credits can be used by anyone.
What can I use my travel credits?These credits can be used by anyone.
- All travel credits can be used to buy tickets on United, United Express and partner-operated flights. You can also apply travel credits toward non-ticket items, like Economy Plus seating, Basic Economy seat assignments and preferred seating.
(and pre-paid checked bags? never implemented)
To use travel credits with PlusPoints, youll need to book your ticket using your travel credit and then request a PlusPoints upgrade.
All travel credits do expire, but the expirations work differently for the two types of credits.
Future flight credits
Future flight credits have a travel by date as their expiration. This means the itinerary you apply a future flight credit toward must begin travel before the expiration date. In most cases, this date is one year after your original ticket was issued.
Please note, future flight credits issued on or before December 31, 2022, have had their travel by date extended to December 31, 2023.
Travel certificates
Travel certificates have a book by date as their expiration. Meaning, you must book your flight using this credit before the expiration date. In most cases, these credits expire up to one year after the date they were issued.
Please note, travel certificates set to expire on or before December 31, 2022, or issued before December 31, 2022, have had their book by date extended to December 31, 2023.
Where do I find my travel credit info?Future flight credits
Future flight credits have a travel by date as their expiration. This means the itinerary you apply a future flight credit toward must begin travel before the expiration date. In most cases, this date is one year after your original ticket was issued.
Please note, future flight credits issued on or before December 31, 2022, have had their travel by date extended to December 31, 2023.
Travel certificates
Travel certificates have a book by date as their expiration. Meaning, you must book your flight using this credit before the expiration date. In most cases, these credits expire up to one year after the date they were issued.
Please note, travel certificates set to expire on or before December 31, 2022, or issued before December 31, 2022, have had their book by date extended to December 31, 2023.
MileagePlus members can find a summary of their travel credits in their account. If you arent a member or cant find your credit in your account, you can also use the lookup forms provided on this page to find your travel credit information, including the value and expiration date.
Can I use multiple credit info?Yes, you can use multiple credits of the same type in a single purchase. Future flight credits and travel certificates cannot be combined. {Although in Sept 2021 UA hinted this was coming}
What if I have a travel credit issues for a flight originally booked through a travel agent?You can still use your credit, but youll need to do it through the travel agency you used to book the original flight.
(ETC) Terms and conditionsCertificate terms and conditions
- Travel certificates are redeemable toward transportation on any flight operated by United Airlines, Inc., United Express, and partner airlines sold on United digital channels.
- You may redeem or view travel certificate details at united.com by clicking on Deals & Offers, Promotional certificates, and entering the promotion code and PIN in the offer code box. You can also call United at 800-UNITED-1 (800-864-8331). A fee may apply for redemption via telephone. You will be asked to enter the last name of the certificate recipient. Certificates may not be redeemed through a travel agency.
- The promotion code and PIN must be presented at time of ticket purchase and expire 24 months from original date of issue, unless otherwise noted.
- Travel certificates have no cash value.
- Travel certificates will not be honored in conjunction with prepaid tickets, fee-waived tickets, MileagePlus awards, tour packages or other service charges. You must pay for outstanding fees and ancillary purchases with a credit or debit card at time of purchase.
- If the face amount of a travel certificate exceeds the cost of the ticket for which it is surrendered, any residual amount will be applied to the same PIN for use toward another ticket until either the original issued amount is depleted, or the expiration date has been reached, whichever comes first.
- Travel certificates are not transferable and may not be sold, traded or bartered. However, the original recipient of a certificate may arrange travel for another person if done without selling or bartering the certificate. Any sale or barter of a certificate, or any offer to sell or enter into such a transaction, shall render a certificate null and void such that the certificate shall no longer be redeemable by any person, including the original recipient.
- Positive identification may be required when using a certificate toward the purchase of a ticket. United is not liable for loss, theft or unintended use of a certificate by a person other than the original recipient.
- United's Contract of Carriage applies to all travel on United Airlines and United Express.
You can not longer do either.
Occasionally, if there is an problem using your FFC, the agent will convert it to an ETC for immediate use. These are rare and at the agent;s discretion. Calling to ask converting an FFC to ETC for use by another traveler will likely not work -as the FFC was never intended for transfer
What if I only use part of the credit, what happens to the rest?Occasionally, if there is an problem using your FFC, the agent will convert it to an ETC for immediate use. These are rare and at the agent;s discretion. Calling to ask converting an FFC to ETC for use by another traveler will likely not work -as the FFC was never intended for transfer
For both FFCs/ETCs the remainder of the credit is available for future use
But these credits must be fully used before the use of a credit card payment
Can FFCs or ETCs be used to pay award fees?But these credits must be fully used before the use of a credit card payment
No
What happens if I cancel a ticket purchased with FFC or ETC in 24 hours?Payment goes back to original form of payment, Note this can take some time -- a week or more, especially for the ETC.
What happens if I cancel a ticket purchased with FFC or ETC after 24 hours?This becomes a new FFC (including the ETC value). This generally happens immediately.
ETCETCs can be used for internet access, E+, subscriptions, upgrades
Other useful threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
Future Flight Credits (FFC) Available on My Trips page?
Issues with UA's online rebooking: Missing flights, higher prices, changed cabin, ..
Is UA enforcing No Residual Value restriction found in some fare rules?
Archive:
Understanding/Using UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Future Flight Credit {Archive}
Understanding/Using UA Electronic Travel Certificate(ETC) & Future Flight Credit(FFC)
Jan 12, 22, 3:36 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 964
Delta extending validity of all tickets through Dec 31, 2023. Perhaps UA will follow?
Source: https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-...validity-2023/
Source: https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-...validity-2023/
Jan 15, 22, 10:04 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 383
Maybe this is addressed up above, but I just had an agent proactively combine three FFCs into a single FFC. Since I don't think you can apply more than one FFC to a new flight (still true, correct, unlike ETCs?), this helped me by avoiding having two small FFCs plus one larger one. None of the original FFCs covered the entire cost of the flight I wanted to book, but the new combined one did. When I used the new combined FFC, the residual credit came back as a new FFC (the wiki still says it comes back as an ETC, but that hasn't been my experience for months).
Jan 15, 22, 10:14 am
#49
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: 64,457
Maybe this is addressed up above, but I just had an agent proactively combine three FFCs into a single FFC. Since I don't think you can apply more than one FFC to a new flight (still true, correct, unlike ETCs?), this helped me by avoiding having two small FFCs plus one larger one. None of the original FFCs covered the entire cost of the flight I wanted to book, but the new combined one did. When I used the new combined FFC, the residual credit came back as a new FFC (the wiki still says it comes back as an ETC, but that hasn't been my experience for months).
You are correct the residual credit is now a FFC,
The operation of FFCs has been significantly evolved over the past 6 months (but seems to have settled down) and the wiki needs major revisions / rewrite --- any volunteer?
Jan 16, 22, 6:01 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 141
sorry if this is repetitive... Ive searched the forum but dont see this answer. Thanks!
Jan 16, 22, 7:22 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,730
Following on from this question, how long does it take for FFC to be credited when changing a flight to a cheaper flight? Booked in November, took outbound flight mid-Dec, changed return date ($90 cheaper) and flight now completed.
sorry if this is repetitive... Ive searched the forum but dont see this answer. Thanks!
sorry if this is repetitive... Ive searched the forum but dont see this answer. Thanks!
Jan 16, 22, 2:29 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,629
Jan 16, 22, 8:57 pm
#56
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 383
If I'd realized this, I never would have called in! I knew I could use multiple ETCs, but the last time I tried with FFCs, I could only use one...
Still easier to have them consolidated than to have to apply multiples.
Still easier to have them consolidated than to have to apply multiples.
Jan 17, 22, 2:50 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,629
Have you tried looking in the 'wallet' section of your profile, under travel credits to see if its there? Alternatively, have you tried a dummy booking, and using the FFC as payment, using the original PNR. If it can't find it that way, probably the 'system' screwed up and it needs intervention - usually, these are issued immediately
Jan 19, 22, 1:12 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BA CO DL UA US
Posts: 768
FROM UNITED AIRLINES CANCELLATION POLICY
MY QUESTION:
I have from ETC from 2020, with expiration date of 12/31/2022. I am thinking of using it to book EWR-YYC trip. I am debating if it make sense to spend extra $50 for refundable tickets? If I book a non-refundable ticket using the ETC, then I cancel the trip (for example $300), am I able to use the refund (the $300) for any trip or just the EWR-YYR route?
Thank you.
- A refund may be requested for any fare that allows refunds. Depending on the rules of the fare purchased, a cancellation fee may apply. Most fares are nonrefundable, and are not eligible for voluntary refunds. However, the value of your ticket may be eligible to be applied toward the price of a new ticket for a fee. Tickets are valid 12 months from the day of ticket issuance, except for tickets purchased on or before December 31, 2021, which are extended from original date of issue to December 31, 2022. Travel must begin by December 31, 2022. Once travel begins, travel must be completed within 12 months from the outbound travel date.
MY QUESTION:
I have from ETC from 2020, with expiration date of 12/31/2022. I am thinking of using it to book EWR-YYC trip. I am debating if it make sense to spend extra $50 for refundable tickets? If I book a non-refundable ticket using the ETC, then I cancel the trip (for example $300), am I able to use the refund (the $300) for any trip or just the EWR-YYR route?
Thank you.
Jan 19, 22, 1:29 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,629
FROM UNITED AIRLINES CANCELLATION POLICY
MY QUESTION:
I have from ETC from 2020, with expiration date of 12/31/2022. I am thinking of using it to book EWR-YYC trip. I am debating if it make sense to spend extra $50 for refundable tickets? If I book a non-refundable ticket using the ETC, then I cancel the trip (for example $300), am I able to use the refund (the $300) for any trip or just the EWR-YYR route?
Thank you.
- A refund may be requested for any fare that allows refunds. Depending on the rules of the fare purchased, a cancellation fee may apply. Most fares are nonrefundable, and are not eligible for voluntary refunds. However, the value of your ticket may be eligible to be applied toward the price of a new ticket for a fee. Tickets are valid 12 months from the day of ticket issuance, except for tickets purchased on or before December 31, 2021, which are extended from original date of issue to December 31, 2022. Travel must begin by December 31, 2022. Once travel begins, travel must be completed within 12 months from the outbound travel date.
MY QUESTION:
I have from ETC from 2020, with expiration date of 12/31/2022. I am thinking of using it to book EWR-YYC trip. I am debating if it make sense to spend extra $50 for refundable tickets? If I book a non-refundable ticket using the ETC, then I cancel the trip (for example $300), am I able to use the refund (the $300) for any trip or just the EWR-YYR route?
Thank you.
if you buy a refundable fare, canceling will throw the value back to original form of payment - so in your case a new ETC. Not sure what the recent data is, but I think in the past it generally went to a new ETC, with potentially a new expiry date. Note the refund to an ETC can take time - maybe 21 days, so you will not have use until then. Youd also have the option to get the value back as FFC (same as above), which generally arrives immediately.
