Jul 2, 2022, 11:21 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
More details on use of ETCs : UA Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC): General Q&A, ... now 2 year life
More details on use of FFCs : How to get residual value ("future flight credit") from non-refundable flight
Issues with UA's online rebooking: Missing flights, higher prices, changed cabin, ..
***************************************
* In mid-2021, UA started a process that seems headed to unify ETCs/FFCs and expand their usability
* This is still in process but much of this wiki is out-of-date and will need to be rewritten once the dust settles
* Conversion of FFCs to ETCs are no longer an option
* Most FFCs can only be used by original traveller (some older ones have more flexibility)
* See this UA announcement (27 Sept 2021) for some insight
* However presently there are still reports of issues, inconsistencies
**************************************
In early 2020, UA changed the 1-year life of tickets and ETCs to 2 years and also change rebooked flights had to "commenced" in the original ticket's life vs the older, but unenforced "complete travel.
1) Canceled ticket credit / future flight credit (FFC) -- this is where the flight is canceled but the ticket is left open. In effect when you use this credit, it is a ticket change.
This change must be made within1 2 years of the original purchase date. The present COVID-19 waivers state "Rebooked travel must commence within 12 24 months from the original ticket issue date". Previously there is some uncertainty if the new flight needs to be completed in the same 1-year window. In the recent past that was not true but same agents are claiming it is now required. (this may be a factor on how the ticket is changed, a simple change of date is probably limited to the original purchase 1-year window but a more significant change should be a new ticket and a new full-year window.)
The new ticket can be any itinerary that can be booked on United.com (BE tickets have additional restrictions). The online re-booking / change tool is flaky and best to re-book with an agent.
The future flight credit will be listed online as a canceled flight. The new booking has to be in the same name as the previous booking but if the future booking is cheaper (and not originally booked after 2 March 2020) you will receive an ETC for the difference. For tickets purchased after 2 March 2020, there was a no-residual phrase in the fare rules, but an ETC option in place of the FFC was readily available until 1 August 2020. Generally, pre-1 August tickets continue to have the conversion to ETC if you called. Recent reports suggest this conversion may be again available (YMMV) for some post 1 August FFC tickets. Also one recent report the ETC residual practice may be re-instated.
Future flight credit cannot be combined. You need to convert them to ETC if you want to combine more than one FFC for a new ticket.
Note: there is no 24-hour "flexible booking" for new tickets made with flight credit -- although all purchases today have no change fees.
As of 16 April 2020, appears FFC for cancellation 3 March and later, may be convertible to ETCs, check your ticket in Cancelled Flights (if any United payment types were used to book the ticket (an ETC, TravelBank credit, etc.) or purchased with Chase points, the ETC option may not be available)
Multiple reports (in Feb 2021) of FFCs have been extended to 31 March 2022
2) Electronic Ticket Credit (ETC)-- this is where the ticket is converted is a cash value credit and you have1 2-year from ETC issuance to book a new flight and that future new flight to be completed with-in 1-year of the new booking's date. So up to a total of two three-year window.
You will / should receive a voucher code to use in the future booking (you need to keep track of this but agents can look it up).
The ETC can be used by anyone but is limited to UA/UX operated flights ( a complicated workaround may work to book partner flights).
Fairly simple to use the ETC online and multiple ETCs can be combined if needed -- but the same ETC can not directly be used by multiple passengers on the same PNR.
Note if ETC covers the entire cost of the new flight, you can not use a credit card for the flight purchase and will not receive any of the benefits that come from using a credit card.
Appears for multi-passenger PNRs, ETCs go back to the "first traveler" and not the individual traveler (as FFC). "Note: If there are multiple travelers on a reservation, the total value will be issued in one certificate to the first traveler." Unknown what happens on split PNRs.
(Unverified thought) FFC of tickets purchased 3 March or later do not have residual value, so far as we know, that does not apply to ETCs at all, so ETCs are better than FFC if canceling new ticket purchases starting 3 March 2020 (till at least 30 April).
UA's -- What’s the difference between electronic travel certificates and future flight credit?
Note the Must rebook by 12 months for FFC is presently overridden by waivers stating
A process for converting an ETC to Refund if the original situation nows qualifies for a refund
Other useful threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
Future Flight Credits (FFC) Available on My Trips page?
More details on use of FFCs : How to get residual value ("future flight credit") from non-refundable flight
Issues with UA's online rebooking: Missing flights, higher prices, changed cabin, ..
***************************************
* In mid-2021, UA started a process that seems headed to unify ETCs/FFCs and expand their usability
* This is still in process but much of this wiki is out-of-date and will need to be rewritten once the dust settles
* Conversion of FFCs to ETCs are no longer an option
* Most FFCs can only be used by original traveller (some older ones have more flexibility)
* See this UA announcement (27 Sept 2021) for some insight
* However presently there are still reports of issues, inconsistencies
**************************************
In early 2020, UA changed the 1-year life of tickets and ETCs to 2 years and also change rebooked flights had to "commenced" in the original ticket's life vs the older, but unenforced "complete travel.
1) Canceled ticket credit / future flight credit (FFC) -- this is where the flight is canceled but the ticket is left open. In effect when you use this credit, it is a ticket change.
This change must be made within
The new ticket can be any itinerary that can be booked on United.com (BE tickets have additional restrictions). The online re-booking / change tool is flaky and best to re-book with an agent.
The future flight credit will be listed online as a canceled flight. The new booking has to be in the same name as the previous booking but if the future booking is cheaper (and not originally booked after 2 March 2020) you will receive an ETC for the difference. For tickets purchased after 2 March 2020, there was a no-residual phrase in the fare rules, but an ETC option in place of the FFC was readily available until 1 August 2020. Generally, pre-1 August tickets continue to have the conversion to ETC if you called. Recent reports suggest this conversion may be again available (YMMV) for some post 1 August FFC tickets. Also one recent report the ETC residual practice may be re-instated.
Future flight credit cannot be combined. You need to convert them to ETC if you want to combine more than one FFC for a new ticket.
Note: there is no 24-hour "flexible booking" for new tickets made with flight credit -- although all purchases today have no change fees.
As of 16 April 2020, appears FFC for cancellation 3 March and later, may be convertible to ETCs, check your ticket in Cancelled Flights (if any United payment types were used to book the ticket (an ETC, TravelBank credit, etc.) or purchased with Chase points, the ETC option may not be available)
Multiple reports (in Feb 2021) of FFCs have been extended to 31 March 2022
2) Electronic Ticket Credit (ETC)-- this is where the ticket is converted is a cash value credit and you have
You will / should receive a voucher code to use in the future booking (you need to keep track of this but agents can look it up).
The ETC can be used by anyone but is limited to UA/UX operated flights ( a complicated workaround may work to book partner flights).
Fairly simple to use the ETC online and multiple ETCs can be combined if needed -- but the same ETC can not directly be used by multiple passengers on the same PNR.
Note if ETC covers the entire cost of the new flight, you can not use a credit card for the flight purchase and will not receive any of the benefits that come from using a credit card.
Appears for multi-passenger PNRs, ETCs go back to the "first traveler" and not the individual traveler (as FFC). "Note: If there are multiple travelers on a reservation, the total value will be issued in one certificate to the first traveler." Unknown what happens on split PNRs.
(Unverified thought) FFC of tickets purchased 3 March or later do not have residual value, so far as we know, that does not apply to ETCs at all, so ETCs are better than FFC if canceling new ticket purchases starting 3 March 2020 (till at least 30 April).
UA's -- What’s the difference between electronic travel certificates and future flight credit?
Electronic travel certificates are travel credit given to customers from a United employee for situations including denied boarding instances, customer goodwill, a fare difference during an exchange, and for irregular operations. Future flight credits are credit for the same value of your ticket for the original route given to the same customer(s) who has canceled their flight.
Future flight credits are valid for the same amount as the original ticket purchased and can be applied to new flights. They have a lot of flexibility in routes as they can be used for travel on any United, United Express, or partner-operated flights. Future flight credits must be used for travel within 12 months of the date your original ticket was purchased.
Electronic travel certificates also offer a lot of flexibility. You can use them to book a flight for anyone you’d like, and they can be used for travel up to 24 months from the date they’re issued. Electronic travel certificates must be used for United- or United Express-operated flights.
Future flight credits are valid for the same amount as the original ticket purchased and can be applied to new flights. They have a lot of flexibility in routes as they can be used for travel on any United, United Express, or partner-operated flights. Future flight credits must be used for travel within 12 months of the date your original ticket was purchased.
Electronic travel certificates also offer a lot of flexibility. You can use them to book a flight for anyone you’d like, and they can be used for travel up to 24 months from the date they’re issued. Electronic travel certificates must be used for United- or United Express-operated flights.
Note the Must rebook by 12 months for FFC is presently overridden by waivers stating
Cancellations: If the customer decides to cancel the flight they booked before March 31, 2020, they can retain the value of the ticket to be applied to a new ticket without fee for travel up to 24 months from the original ticket issue date. If the customer decides to cancel the flight they booked between April 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, they can retain the value of the ticket to be applied to a new ticket without fee for travel up to 12 months from the original ticket issue date.
....
Please visit united.com/refunds
Select Request Refund
Add all required information
Under purchases > Enter Receipt details
Customer should enter their ticket number in the 'Document Number' field
In details reason for request > "Cancel ETC and refund to original form of payment"
Enter email address
Submit ... .
Please visit united.com/refunds
Select Request Refund
Add all required information
Under purchases > Enter Receipt details
Customer should enter their ticket number in the 'Document Number' field
In details reason for request > "Cancel ETC and refund to original form of payment"
Enter email address
Submit ... .
Other useful threads
Extending a Credit/Travel/ETC Voucher by booking a refundable fare?
UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Codeshares/partner flights
Now See All Your Electronic Travel Credit(s) (ETCs) on Your United.com Account!
Future Flight Credits (FFC) Available on My Trips page?
Understanding/Using UA Electronic Travel Certificate & Future Flight Credit {Archive}
Feb 1, 2021, 8:55 am
#466
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
No , fundamentally not possible
Maybe, entirely discretionary by UA. Explain what you are doing, it may help your case. It may take days or a couple of weeks.
Remember ETCs can only be used on an all UA itin
Remember ETCs can only be used on an all UA itin
Feb 5, 2021, 7:19 pm
#467
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San Francisco/Bangkok
Programs: Alaska 75K United 1K
Posts: 1,409
Future flight Credit Extensions?
Flight canceled last May
I have future flight credit
expires May 2021
Are people getting any extensions on this credit?
Thanks
I have future flight credit
expires May 2021
Are people getting any extensions on this credit?
Thanks
Feb 5, 2021, 7:37 pm
#468
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
When did you purchase and when did you cancel, you may have a 2 year FFC.
Feb 5, 2021, 8:55 pm
#469
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San Francisco/Bangkok
Programs: Alaska 75K United 1K
Posts: 1,409
Have not heard of any BUT call and ask for FFC converted to ETC (which has a 2 year life from date of issue). A number of folks have none that. The downside is ETCs can not be used for non-UA operated / partner flights.
When did you purchase and when did you cancel, you may have a 2 year FFC.
When did you purchase and when did you cancel, you may have a 2 year FFC.
asked for refund but they processed it as FFC
Feb 5, 2021, 9:09 pm
#470
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
Your options are:
1) You could submit a new refund request
2) Your FFC should be 24 months based on those dates -- what does it say in your account for FFC credit?
3) You can ask for the FFC to be converted to ETC (but this would mean you could not ask for a refund)
Feb 5, 2021, 11:21 pm
#471
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San Francisco/Bangkok
Programs: Alaska 75K United 1K
Posts: 1,409
If UA cancelled, you are due a refund to the orignal form of payments -- in May 2020 UA was resisting refunds but has gotten more reasonable since then
Your options are:
1) You could submit a new refund request
2) Your FFC should be 24 months based on those dates -- what does it say in your account for FFC credit?
3) You can ask for the FFC to be converted to ETC (but this would mean you could not ask for a refund)
Your options are:
1) You could submit a new refund request
2) Your FFC should be 24 months based on those dates -- what does it say in your account for FFC credit?
3) You can ask for the FFC to be converted to ETC (but this would mean you could not ask for a refund)
This was a return part of a round trip ticket
I flew SFO-TPE but then UA stopped service
and for months the return ticket was just hanging there unused
since UA didnt rebook since no service
Would this affect refund vs FFC?
The ticket in my account gives only one year since original return date
Feb 6, 2021, 12:27 am
#472
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
The refund calculation will dependent of the original fare structure.
Also worth noting, that the use of the return segment FFC can be problematic -- as the rebooking will have to be consistent with fare rules of the original ticket. More the reason to get a refund or an ETC
Feb 9, 2021, 11:19 am
#473
Join Date: May 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K / IC RA/ Hilton Plat / Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 378
Just got off with a CSR to convert a FFC to ETC (which wasn't eligible) and they mentioned that there was a meeting this morning to change policy to again allow giving ETCs for remaining value if an FFC was used on a cheaper ticket. Again she mentioned this was brand new as of a few hours ago. Website could be updated shortly with the new policy.
Feb 9, 2021, 12:48 pm
#474
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA
Programs: AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 310
Just got off with a CSR to convert a FFC to ETC (which wasn't eligible) and they mentioned that there was a meeting this morning to change policy to again allow giving ETCs for remaining value if an FFC was used on a cheaper ticket. Again she mentioned this was brand new as of a few hours ago. Website could be updated shortly with the new policy.
Feb 12, 2021, 1:55 pm
#475
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: 1K
Posts: 220
I have a FFC that I want to use before (a) it expires and (b) the double PQP offer ends on March 31st. Do FFC dollars count towards PQP?
Also, I have a couple of ETCs and wondering the same. Do those credits count as PQP?
Also, I have a couple of ETCs and wondering the same. Do those credits count as PQP?
Feb 12, 2021, 2:04 pm
#476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,402
ETCs count toward PQP and the promo.
Feb 12, 2021, 3:23 pm
#477
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,019
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Feb 12, 2021 at 3:29 pm
Feb 17, 2021, 8:23 am
#478
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
"The future flight credit will be listed online as a canceled flight. The new booking has to be in the same name as the previous booking but if the future booking is cheaper (and not originally booked after 2 March 2020) you will receive an ETC for the difference."- - -
My experience using UA Future Flight Credit is that you MUST buy a new ticket of equal or greater value or you lose the residual value of the Future Flight Credit. :-(
Feb 17, 2021, 9:57 am
#479
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
Congrats on first FT post, Alison Bedard Wais
This has been a changing situation and depends on when the ticket was purchased and when you did this re-booking
The phrase reflects the practice for tickets prior to 2 March 2020. For tickets purchased after 2 March 2020, there was a no-residual phrase in the fare rules, but an ETC option in place of the FFC was readily available until 1 August 2020. Generally, pre-1 August tickets continue to have the conversion to ETC if you called. Recent reports suggest this conversion may be again available (YMMV) for some post 1 August FFC tickets.
Additionally, there has been at least one report of UA returning to the old practice of ETCs for FFCs on rebooking -- this awaits more confirmation.
So a confusing, changing situation -- will update the wiki
"The future flight credit will be listed online as a canceled flight. The new booking has to be in the same name as the previous booking but if the future booking is cheaper (and not originally booked after 2 March 2020) you will receive an ETC for the difference."- - -
My experience using UA Future Flight Credit is that you MUST buy a new ticket of equal or greater value or you lose the residual value of the Future Flight Credit. :-(The phrase reflects the practice for tickets prior to 2 March 2020. For tickets purchased after 2 March 2020, there was a no-residual phrase in the fare rules, but an ETC option in place of the FFC was readily available until 1 August 2020. Generally, pre-1 August tickets continue to have the conversion to ETC if you called. Recent reports suggest this conversion may be again available (YMMV) for some post 1 August FFC tickets.
Additionally, there has been at least one report of UA returning to the old practice of ETCs for FFCs on rebooking -- this awaits more confirmation.
So a confusing, changing situation -- will update the wiki
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 17, 2021 at 10:05 am
Feb 24, 2021, 11:55 am
#480
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
Looks like they auto-extended the FFC (at least the ones that were set to expire this year) to March 31, 2022. Thank goodness.