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* This is still in process but much of this wiki is out-of-date and will need to be rewritten once the dust settles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}
Oct 13, 2021, 4:46 pm
#781
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: United 1K, Frontier 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond/ Ambassador/ Milestoner
Posts: 568
I got the same email today. Odd.
Oct 13, 2021, 6:19 pm
#782
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Ive been able to combine multiple FFCs without issue. At least, I’ve recently successfully combined both multiple residual FFCs as well as residual and canceled flight FFCs. I’ve not tried combining multiple canceled flight FFCs, but suspect that could work too.
Oct 13, 2021, 6:25 pm
#783
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
Oct 13, 2021, 6:29 pm
#784
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 518
This still prevented me from recovering some half-flown tickets lost during the pandemic:
Partially used tickets will be valid for one year from your outbound date of travel.
Oct 13, 2021, 8:58 pm
#785
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
This was done months ago in Aug 2021
Includes FFCs and ETCs and tickets
Includes FFCs and ETCs and tickets
or does this new announcement not apply to award tkts?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 13, 2021 at 11:58 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Oct 14, 2021, 12:04 am
#786
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
Award tickets are refundable if you do it 31 days in advance, so no need to worry about expiration.
Oct 14, 2021, 3:02 pm
#787
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
I was not able to combine TB with FFC or ETC the other day when I purchased a wholly United domestic itinerary. I had $108+ FFC, $50, ETC, and $200 TB. They did not allow me to combine ANY of these. I could use just one at a time. I used TB for the outbound (since it covered most of the ticket) and FFC for the return (since that expired first and was more $$ than the ETC). It would have been nice had I been able to do some sort of combination but I'm not worried about using the ETC by it's expiry in August 2023. A very clear message came up by each one that the remaining balance can only be paid by cc so that's what I had to do.
Oct 14, 2021, 9:02 pm
#788
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
Was having some problems issuing a ticket and went to the UA website to read the detailed "how to" section. Ran across this: PlusPoints upgrades can't be combined with future flight credit when booking a flight. Does this mean we can not upgrade a flight using PlusPoints if the ticket was issued in part or full by FFC? This is not covered in the wiki.
United Travel Credits - View Credits, Find Credits and How to Use FAQs
I am hoping what I quoted above is not the issue you are running into!
United Travel Credits - View Credits, Find Credits and How to Use FAQs
I am hoping what I quoted above is not the issue you are running into!
Oct 14, 2021, 9:11 pm
#789
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
Was having some problems issuing a ticket and went to the UA website to read the detailed "how to" section. Ran across this: PlusPoints upgrades can't be combined with future flight credit when booking a flight. Does this mean we can not upgrade a flight using PlusPoints if the ticket was issued in part or full by FFC? ....
However if you use the Advance Search and select "Upgrade type", you may not be able to applied flight credits.
Long known issue and best to book flights with travel credits and then apply upgrade support (miles / PlusPoints). Flights booked with credits can upgraded after booking.
The operative phrase in your quote is "when booking a flight".
Oct 14, 2021, 10:45 pm
#790
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
Don't believe that is the issue.
However if you use the Advance Search and select "Upgrade type", you may not be able to applied flight credits.
Long known issue and best to book flights with travel credits and then apply upgrade support (miles / PlusPoints). Flights booked with credits can upgraded after booking.
The operative phrase in your quote is "when booking a flight".
However if you use the Advance Search and select "Upgrade type", you may not be able to applied flight credits.
Long known issue and best to book flights with travel credits and then apply upgrade support (miles / PlusPoints). Flights booked with credits can upgraded after booking.
The operative phrase in your quote is "when booking a flight".
Oct 15, 2021, 2:00 am
#791
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
Not sure I understand the question. UA has extended the life of tickets so non-refundable tickets don;t expire and you have time to make use of voluntary cancelled flights.
Award tickets are refundable if you do it 31 days in advance, so no need to worry about expiration.
Award tickets are refundable if you do it 31 days in advance, so no need to worry about expiration.
Oct 17, 2021, 11:50 am
#792
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
If I have $200 FFC from cancelling a flight… and decide to book a flight that is $80, will the $120 remain in the same FFC confirmation or converted into a ETC?
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
Oct 17, 2021, 12:06 pm
#793
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Oct 17, 2021, 9:02 pm
#794
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
If I have $200 FFC from cancelling a flight… and decide to book a flight that is $80, will the $120 remain in the same FFC confirmation or converted into a ETC?
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
And yes, the credit will be split by name, but tied to your account (IME) if you booked through that account - as in, both will show up in your travel credits section (although, can be used to book through any account, you'll just have to search for it if it's not the one it was 'connected' to).
Oct 18, 2021, 2:32 pm
#795
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
If I have $200 FFC from cancelling a flight… and decide to book a flight that is $80, will the $120 remain in the same FFC confirmation or converted into a ETC?
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
also the original $200 FFC flight had two people in the reservation. Would the system split out my credit versus the other ticket on the original cancelled reservation for my family member?
thanks.
It won't be converted into an ETC. It will for sure be a 'residual' FFC. Which is sort of different than a canceled flight FFC, but similar. Although with all the recent changes, it's hard to keep up with what changed with what, and if these are really any different anymore. It will be an FFC though.
And yes, the credit will be split by name, but tied to your account (IME) if you booked through that account - as in, both will show up in your travel credits section (although, can be used to book through any account, you'll just have to search for it if it's not the one it was 'connected' to).
And yes, the credit will be split by name, but tied to your account (IME) if you booked through that account - as in, both will show up in your travel credits section (although, can be used to book through any account, you'll just have to search for it if it's not the one it was 'connected' to).
FFC was split into different credit boxes after I used my portion of the credit. The other passenger’s credit (previously shown together with me) has it’s only credit “box”. My residual amount was kept as a FFC.