How to get residual/"future flight credit" from non-refundable flight {Archive}
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,888
Everything said is correct so far.
Also suggest that your friend asks for the TCV info. when rebooking the ticket on the phone (or call right after, if its changed online). I've always been told they snail mail them (though that was a while ago, rumor is they email them now, though haven't canceled in a year or so), but in three attempts since the merger, I've never received it. The PIN should be tied to the PNR - once the rebooked trip is complete, I think it could be very difficult to get the TCV PIN if not received properly.
Also suggest that your friend asks for the TCV info. when rebooking the ticket on the phone (or call right after, if its changed online). I've always been told they snail mail them (though that was a while ago, rumor is they email them now, though haven't canceled in a year or so), but in three attempts since the merger, I've never received it. The PIN should be tied to the PNR - once the rebooked trip is complete, I think it could be very difficult to get the TCV PIN if not received properly.
#32
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 556
Help too! My friend cancelled an international trip( non refundable, worth 2k, it's a round trip flight, but he only flew one way, cancelled another part ) what can He do? Redeem the cheapest ticket, pay the change fee, and get the TvC? Does the new trip need be international?
#33
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 211
Help too! My friend cancelled an international trip( non refundable, worth 2k, it's a round trip flight, but he only flew one way, cancelled another part ) what can He do? Redeem the cheapest ticket, pay the change fee, and get the TvC? Does the new trip need be international?
What's a TCV? I had to go through this process earlier this year and was issued an ETC (electronic travel certificate). I'm assuming they're synonymous.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,888
As opposed to the more generic "e-cert" which is what the pre-merger UA ones were called, and seem to still exist now. These generally start with 1016, and need to be added as a promotion code before you search. These discount the fare instead of acting as a payment toward the full fare. Disadvantageous in some ways (don't count toward PQD, if changes need to be made, etc.).
Sometimes on this board all of these terms are used interchangeably, so clarification is needed as to exactly which type one is asking about.
#35
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: SWFL
Programs: United 1k
Posts: 266
Does anyone have the old Apollo code or instructions for the rules for reusing the residual value in an old PM UA paper ticket?
#36
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 62
Everything said is correct so far.
Also suggest that your friend asks for the TCV info. when rebooking the ticket on the phone (or call right after, if its changed online). I've always been told they snail mail them (though that was a while ago, rumor is they email them now, though haven't canceled in a year or so), but in three attempts since the merger, I've never received it. The PIN should be tied to the PNR - once the rebooked trip is complete, I think it could be very difficult to get the TCV PIN if not received properly.
Also suggest that your friend asks for the TCV info. when rebooking the ticket on the phone (or call right after, if its changed online). I've always been told they snail mail them (though that was a while ago, rumor is they email them now, though haven't canceled in a year or so), but in three attempts since the merger, I've never received it. The PIN should be tied to the PNR - once the rebooked trip is complete, I think it could be very difficult to get the TCV PIN if not received properly.
#37
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
I recently received neither (after waiting several weeks). Called and after a long hold was given the PIN verbally. No option for even an e-mail to be generated manually was available.
#38
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium.;UA 1.5MM; UA Lifetime Gold (whoppee); DL Plat
Posts: 2,124
#39
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 556
it cant do online, always shows errors. call united!
but my question is I flew part of my flight, do I still get all the credits back?
but my question is I flew part of my flight, do I still get all the credits back?
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
No, a partially flown ticket is a different animal than a wholly unused ticket.
You are governed by the fare rules of your ticket on a partially flown, so you will not simply get half back. After all, a RT may have been less than a OW when you bought. You may get nothing or be able to adjust the return for a fee.
#41
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SFO
Posts: 206
Canceling L fare ticket - do I lose the $?
I bought three tickets to Hawaii for tomorrow and I tried to cancel them. It's an L fare, so the message says "This reservation has no refundable value if cancelled. A refund will not be credited."
Is that really so? Is canceling really the same as a a no-show? Do I not get any credit for future flights? I'm UA Gold in case that means anything. Thanks!
Is that really so? Is canceling really the same as a a no-show? Do I not get any credit for future flights? I'm UA Gold in case that means anything. Thanks!
#42
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Canceling L fare ticket - do I lose the $?
If you cancel them, you will be able to apply the value of the ticket towards a new ticket by paying the $200 change fee. The value will not be refunded, but can be credited towards a new ticket.
If you don't cancel you'll lose everything. So, go ahead an cancel if you're sure that you won't fly.
Your status gives you nothing in this case.
If you don't cancel you'll lose everything. So, go ahead an cancel if you're sure that you won't fly.
Your status gives you nothing in this case.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
You need to read the fare rules to be sure, but in general:
(*) Most cheap United tickets are not REFUNDABLE (you do not get money back to your form of payment if you cancel the trip).
(*) Most cheap United tickets are CHANGEABLE and do carry RESIDUAL VALUE (it is usually possible to cancel an itinerary then pay a change fee and book a new flight, with payment for the new flight coming with credit from the originally booked flight, subject to certain time limits that have the effect that you can't use the credit very far in the future).
The UA message here is completely true (your L fare is probably not refundable) but maybe confusing (you can probably pay a change fee and use the value of your ticket to book a new one). In the UA structure you don't have to pay the fee until you book the new trip (but you do have to pay the fee with new money). You gotta get the new ticket issued before the value of the old ticket expires.
United has, occasionally but very rarely, issued some super cheap fares with terms that make them, not only nonrefundable but also nonchangeable and with no residual value ("use it or lose it"). These kinds of fares are very rare; it's difficult to find a "use it or lose it" fare.
(*) Most cheap United tickets are not REFUNDABLE (you do not get money back to your form of payment if you cancel the trip).
(*) Most cheap United tickets are CHANGEABLE and do carry RESIDUAL VALUE (it is usually possible to cancel an itinerary then pay a change fee and book a new flight, with payment for the new flight coming with credit from the originally booked flight, subject to certain time limits that have the effect that you can't use the credit very far in the future).
The UA message here is completely true (your L fare is probably not refundable) but maybe confusing (you can probably pay a change fee and use the value of your ticket to book a new one). In the UA structure you don't have to pay the fee until you book the new trip (but you do have to pay the fee with new money). You gotta get the new ticket issued before the value of the old ticket expires.
United has, occasionally but very rarely, issued some super cheap fares with terms that make them, not only nonrefundable but also nonchangeable and with no residual value ("use it or lose it"). These kinds of fares are very rare; it's difficult to find a "use it or lose it" fare.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,888
I bought three tickets to Hawaii for tomorrow and I tried to cancel them. It's an L fare, so the message says "This reservation has no refundable value if cancelled. A refund will not be credited."
Is that really so? Is canceling really the same as a a no-show? Do I not get any credit for future flights? I'm UA Gold in case that means anything. Thanks!
Is that really so? Is canceling really the same as a a no-show? Do I not get any credit for future flights? I'm UA Gold in case that means anything. Thanks!
Credit = dollar amount useable for future travel on United
While I agree using the term "credited" in the last sentence can seem confusing (clear wording has never been new UAs strong suit), in this case, it means you will not get a refund (back to your card, for example). You will get a credit.
After confirming the cancelation, your PNR will go into an "inactive" tab in your account online (for some, supposedly its a canceled tab, but that's not my experience), without any flights listed. You'll be able to make change the itinerary to add new flights, and will have full use of the value - your change fee will be charged when you book the new flights.
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
For very cheap tickets, the credit can be worthless if the cost of the ticket was less than the change fee, usually $200 for domestic.