Apr 9, 20, 3:37 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
**************************************
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)
Feb 15, 22, 12:42 pm
#121
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA GS | Marriott Titanium / LT Platinum
Posts: 449
I booked 2 domestic tickets with cash on United Economy for my boyfriend and I. Boyfriend has Silver Plus. We saw that the price went down by $40 per person for the flight so we cancelled the flight for future flight credit. We were issued flight credit for each of us and rebooked at the cheaper fare using flight credit.
Then the hiccup begins..
When we rebook to the cheaper fare, the United ticketing system issued $80 in flight credit to my name instead of issuing $40 of flight credit to each of us. However, when I try to use the flight credit on my account and book a flight for myself, the system will not let me and says the credit can only be used for the person it is issued to. I am not able to use the flight credit for my boyfriend either.
Has anyone come across this issue? Seems like a programming bug.
Then the hiccup begins..
When we rebook to the cheaper fare, the United ticketing system issued $80 in flight credit to my name instead of issuing $40 of flight credit to each of us. However, when I try to use the flight credit on my account and book a flight for myself, the system will not let me and says the credit can only be used for the person it is issued to. I am not able to use the flight credit for my boyfriend either.
Has anyone come across this issue? Seems like a programming bug.
Had to call in and have them book with a manual override. Oddly the agent said normally a popup appears saying the names don't match but has an option for the agent to override and it didn't appear this time. She had to go into another system to use it in a very manual override. Suspect they've recently tweaked programming on middle names or FFC and broken something.
Feb 15, 22, 2:35 pm
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,720
Are my ETCs / FFCs worthless?
I have two FFCs - $47 and $16. I have an ETC for $46. Was on the horn with United the other day and the person at the premier desk said that the amount of the FFC/ETC has to cover the full amount of a purchase - otherwise it cannot be applied. For example, I couldn't use any of these vouchers to buy an E+ seat for my son (I only get +1 as UAG) as the cost was $65.
If this is true - these are essentially worthless as I will never have small enough purchases from United to cover those values.
I have two FFCs - $47 and $16. I have an ETC for $46. Was on the horn with United the other day and the person at the premier desk said that the amount of the FFC/ETC has to cover the full amount of a purchase - otherwise it cannot be applied. For example, I couldn't use any of these vouchers to buy an E+ seat for my son (I only get +1 as UAG) as the cost was $65.
If this is true - these are essentially worthless as I will never have small enough purchases from United to cover those values.
It is not true that your purchase has to be the same price as any FFC or ETC, however, typically, FFC and ETCs can not be combined (IIRC), and also, they can only be used to purchase new travel, or add-ons (E+, bundles, etc.) as part of a new reservation. If you were trying to use these to simply purchase an E+ seat on an existing itinerary, the agent was already trying to do you a favor, and probably didn't have any flexibility. With new travel, the system limits one to two form of payments (ie, FFC and card, ETC and card, etc.), but I wonder if this kind of ancillary purchase over the phone only allows a single form of payment, which would be consistent with the agent explanation. Perhaps this was the agent thought 'it has to be the same amount' was the easiest way to explain it, perhaps they didn't explain it well, or perhaps you misunderstood what they were saying (or maybe some combo of these). I'm not saying this is for sure what happened, but definitely a likely possibility.
For the record, I have used multiple FFCs, including multiple small residuals, in combo with a card payment for a new online reservation in the not too distant past. So definitely not universally true that FFCs/ETCs need to cover the entire amount of a purchase. Otherwise, I've definitely got a bunch of residual FFCs that will be thrown out eventually.
Feb 15, 22, 3:48 pm
#123
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K/1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist,
Posts: 175
I had a slightly different but possibly related bug where I was booking new flights for my partner and myself. Both of our flight credits automatically appeared however my flight credit was greyed out with the error saying it can only be used for the person it was issued to. Only difference between us is that he doesn't store a middle name when booking whereas I do so my name is always concatenated first-name-middle-name. However, I used the exact same default travel profile with my full name when booking the ticket so it's odd that it wouldn't recognize (and I previously didn't have this issue come up last time I used a FFC in December/January).
Had to call in and have them book with a manual override. Oddly the agent said normally a popup appears saying the names don't match but has an option for the agent to override and it didn't appear this time. She had to go into another system to use it in a very manual override. Suspect they've recently tweaked programming on middle names or FFC and broken something.
Had to call in and have them book with a manual override. Oddly the agent said normally a popup appears saying the names don't match but has an option for the agent to override and it didn't appear this time. She had to go into another system to use it in a very manual override. Suspect they've recently tweaked programming on middle names or FFC and broken something.
Last edited by InHouseCounsel; Feb 16, 22 at 1:52 pm
Feb 17, 22, 8:46 am
#124
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: HOU, IAH
Posts: 194
Higher Ticket Price to Use FTC
Sorry I haven't been following the thread so perhaps someone has already experienced this or provided a solution. I have a FTC of $2450/person on IAH-PRG 2021 flight canceled due to COVID. I want to re-book same flight for 5/21-5/28. The lowest published fare on United is $4371. So I'd expect to pay $1921 difference/ticket. But when I talk with United agent, the best deal they offer is to pay an additional $3350.32. Why am I being penalized over $1400 in trying to use the FTC? At that rate, I could book the fare on THY and come out ahead, albeit forfeiting the credit. What is United's justification for doing this????
Feb 17, 22, 9:08 am
#125
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,117
Sorry I haven't been following the thread so perhaps someone has already experienced this or provided a solution. I have a FTC of $2450/person on IAH-PRG 2021 flight canceled due to COVID. I want to re-book same flight for 5/21-5/28. The lowest published fare on United is $4371. So I'd expect to pay $1921 difference/ticket. But when I talk with United agent, the best deal they offer is to pay an additional $3350.32. Why am I being penalized over $1400 in trying to use the FTC? At that rate, I could book the fare on THY and come out ahead, albeit forfeiting the credit. What is United's justification for doing this????
Feb 17, 22, 9:26 am
#127
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,117
The FFC rebooking tool tool has known issues.
Suggestion do not start with the FFC to do the rebooking.
Start a fresh new booking
Wait till the payment page to use the the FFC
Suggestion do not start with the FFC to do the rebooking.
Start a fresh new booking
Wait till the payment page to use the the FFC
Feb 17, 22, 9:54 am
#128
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: DUS
Programs: United-1K+2MM, Bonvoy-LifetimeGold,IHG-Diamond-Ambassador
Posts: 354
Problems with FFC's
United.com says "your bank can't be reached". No problems with FFC's alone or Creditcard alone.
Feb 19, 22, 8:17 am
#129
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 182
* start from the flight credit all the way to ticketing - nothing gets applied.
* tried to do normal search, then on the new payment page no FFC show up, when searching for Locator and Name just returns to a blank field and nothing gets applied.
* following the link to the "old" payment page same thing, FFCs can't be selected.
This leaves calling in or is there another way to try? (Even tried different browsers and the Android App - no success).
Feb 19, 22, 11:28 am
#130
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,456
ETC Questions
I just received a $2500 Electronic Travel Certificate for giving up my seat and taking a later flight. Can I use this to purchase tickets for other people? Do I earn miles when I use the ETC to purchase tickets for myself?
Feb 19, 22, 11:41 am
#131
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,117
Feb 19, 22, 12:39 pm
#133
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 182
I'm currently trying to do a booking using FFC and i think at this point i tried every iteration;
* start from the flight credit all the way to ticketing - nothing gets applied.
* tried to do normal search, then on the new payment page no FFC show up, when searching for Locator and Name just returns to a blank field and nothing gets applied.
* following the link to the "old" payment page same thing, FFCs can't be selected.
This leaves calling in or is there another way to try? (Even tried different browsers and the Android App - no success).
* start from the flight credit all the way to ticketing - nothing gets applied.
* tried to do normal search, then on the new payment page no FFC show up, when searching for Locator and Name just returns to a blank field and nothing gets applied.
* following the link to the "old" payment page same thing, FFCs can't be selected.
This leaves calling in or is there another way to try? (Even tried different browsers and the Android App - no success).
Feb 20, 22, 12:29 am
#134
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 52
I booked 2 domestic tickets with cash on United Economy for my boyfriend and I. Boyfriend has Silver Plus. We saw that the price went down by $40 per person for the flight so we cancelled the flight for future flight credit. We were issued flight credit for each of us and rebooked at the cheaper fare using flight credit.
Then the hiccup begins..
When we rebook to the cheaper fare, the United ticketing system issued $80 in flight credit to my name instead of issuing $40 of flight credit to each of us. However, when I try to use the flight credit on my account and book a flight for myself, the system will not let me and says the credit can only be used for the person it is issued to. I am not able to use the flight credit for my boyfriend either.
Has anyone come across this issue? Seems like a programming bug.
Then the hiccup begins..
When we rebook to the cheaper fare, the United ticketing system issued $80 in flight credit to my name instead of issuing $40 of flight credit to each of us. However, when I try to use the flight credit on my account and book a flight for myself, the system will not let me and says the credit can only be used for the person it is issued to. I am not able to use the flight credit for my boyfriend either.
Has anyone come across this issue? Seems like a programming bug.
We also rebooked another flight by cancelling and rebooking because the price went down and the system AGAIN issued a flight credit to only one person for two ticket price differences instead of issuing FFC to each person for the price difference on one ticket. When will they fix this bug??
Feb 27, 22, 10:29 pm
#135
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, DL Silver, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,338
I made two separate bookings on SFO-YYC, both paid for with portions of the same FFC. It looks like UA has canceled this route up until just before my flights are scheduled so they might get canceled in the next round of schedule updates.
If this happens and the cancellation is on UA's side, what are my options with respect to refunds?
If this happens and the cancellation is on UA's side, what are my options with respect to refunds?
