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* This is still in process but much of this wiki is out-of-date and will need to be rewritten once the dust settles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}
Nov 15, 2021, 8:53 am
#811
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
I need to cancel my BOM-EWR return leg(outbound flown). Is it better to cancel and take a FFC or just push out a return to some time late next year which I may take(25% likely) ? I've already bought a new ticket for now for my return as the fare difference to change was outrageous. Curious if it's better to have an FFC or a booking that can later be changed subject to availability in same class(T)
My default approach for this situation would be:
(a) unless you have an overlapping flight that may draw UA's attention, don't make any changes until your return trip is about to commence.
(b) if there is a significant schedule change or a cancellation, ask for a refund of the un-flown segment. In this case, they will not re-fare the original ticket; they'll refund it on a half-round-trip basis. (You may not get exactly half the original purchase price back; for example, if your outbound was a higher fare class than your return, you'll get less than half. But it's almost always better than re-faring).
(c) if not, you can cancel at that point and proceed with whatever you decide about getting FFC or changing to a new date. Note that changing to a new date doe not preclude you from getting an FFC at some future date if it turns out that you don't need to travel after all.
Nov 15, 2021, 10:06 am
#812
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
There are too many variables here to give a clear answer. If you try to get an FFC, your fare will be recomputed on a one-way basis. On international itineraries, it's common for a one-way flight to be much more expensive than half of a round-trip. (In fact, sometimes it's more than the entire round-trip). EWR-BOM and BOM-EWR appear to be a mostly symmetrical market -- which doesn't always happen -- where one-way tickets start at about $850. So, (a) that's the amount that you should expect UA to keep from your original fare if you try to get an FFC. But, (b) that's also the amount you should expect to pay for a new one-way ticket in order to use the return trip if you defer it. Then again, (c) it's not necessarily as simple as "just find T availability" -- all of the conditions of the original fare need to be met, including maximum stay requirements. So, if your original fare has a three-month maximum stay, and you try to push the return out beyond that, the entire trip needs to be re-fared. (You can check your fare rules via a link on your itinerary screen).
My default approach for this situation would be:
(a) unless you have an overlapping flight that may draw UA's attention, don't make any changes until your return trip is about to commence.
(b) if there is a significant schedule change or a cancellation, ask for a refund of the un-flown segment. In this case, they will not re-fare the original ticket; they'll refund it on a half-round-trip basis. (You may not get exactly half the original purchase price back; for example, if your outbound was a higher fare class than your return, you'll get less than half. But it's almost always better than re-faring).
(c) if not, you can cancel at that point and proceed with whatever you decide about getting FFC or changing to a new date. Note that changing to a new date doe not preclude you from getting an FFC at some future date if it turns out that you don't need to travel after all.
My default approach for this situation would be:
(a) unless you have an overlapping flight that may draw UA's attention, don't make any changes until your return trip is about to commence.
(b) if there is a significant schedule change or a cancellation, ask for a refund of the un-flown segment. In this case, they will not re-fare the original ticket; they'll refund it on a half-round-trip basis. (You may not get exactly half the original purchase price back; for example, if your outbound was a higher fare class than your return, you'll get less than half. But it's almost always better than re-faring).
(c) if not, you can cancel at that point and proceed with whatever you decide about getting FFC or changing to a new date. Note that changing to a new date doe not preclude you from getting an FFC at some future date if it turns out that you don't need to travel after all.
I'll probably come back to India at some time mid-late next year, no fixed dates in mind.
Nov 15, 2021, 11:56 am
#813
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Thanks for your reply. The flight is tomorrow, so I don't have much time. The fare rules were same for both legs and agents can't give me the amount of FFC until I cancel - but mentioned it will be ~half the fare($840). Prices now are extremely high.
I'll probably come back to India at some time mid-late next year, no fixed dates in mind.
I'll probably come back to India at some time mid-late next year, no fixed dates in mind.
Nov 15, 2021, 2:11 pm
#814
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Spoke to agent who explained that for partially used ticket, I'll not be able to see FFC amount. The segments will be cancelled and I have to call/rebook and re-price. Ended up cancelling and don't have an option online to rebook(for some reason this ticket was messed up when originally booked and never allowed any changes online)
Nov 15, 2021, 9:00 pm
#815
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Got it, first time dealing with FFC. The ticket had a 6 month max stay - while its valid till Oct 2022(1 year since outbound). I'm assuming if I use it after April, it will re-fare entire ticket and be much more expensive.
Thanks for your help, I was under the impression it would have been a simple $ credit on the PNR for future use.
Nov 16, 2021, 9:35 am
#816
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Got it, first time dealing with FFC. The ticket had a 6 month max stay - while its valid till Oct 2022(1 year since outbound). I'm assuming if I use it after April, it will re-fare entire ticket and be much more expensive.
Thanks for your help, I was under the impression it would have been a simple $ credit on the PNR for future use.
Thanks for your help, I was under the impression it would have been a simple $ credit on the PNR for future use.
Nov 18, 2021, 4:12 pm
#817
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum
Posts: 1,360
Did anyone else receive an email from United that ETCs are extended till December 31, 2022, and new ways of using them:
- Use your ETCs to book travel on partner airlines
- Share your ETCs with a friend or family member
- Pay for your extra legroom seats or pre-paid bags at checkout using your ETCs
Nov 21, 2021, 3:48 am
#818
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,899
What is UA's cancellation policy right now? I'm tempted to book an SFO-SIN flight, but I'm afraid that COVID may cause me to change my mind shortly before I fly. If I book a regular economy fare, I'm assuming I can cancel, and I'll get a travel credit? If so, when will that expire? I'm currently a UA Silver, if that helps.
Nov 21, 2021, 3:13 pm
#819
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Did anyone else receive an email from United that ETCs are extended till December 31, 2022, and new ways of using them:
- Use your ETCs to book travel on partner airlines
- Share your ETCs with a friend or family member
- Pay for your extra legroom seats or pre-paid bags at checkout using your ETCs
United is slow again with sending out official confirmations ... even when it is a true enhancement like this one.
Nov 21, 2021, 7:07 pm
#820
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: UA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 139
What is UA's cancellation policy right now? I'm tempted to book an SFO-SIN flight, but I'm afraid that COVID may cause me to change my mind shortly before I fly. If I book a regular economy fare, I'm assuming I can cancel, and I'll get a travel credit? If so, when will that expire? I'm currently a UA Silver, if that helps.
Nov 24, 2021, 5:14 pm
#821
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LAX
Posts: 59
Do FFCs earn full PQP value as though you are using cash?
Im aware that ETCs do, but I can’t seem to find this explicitly confirmed anywhere for FFCs.
I’m curious, as selecting an FFC as payment appears to actually lower the cost of the booking, which presumably could affect the PQPs earned? Hopefully that isn’t the case…
Im aware that ETCs do, but I can’t seem to find this explicitly confirmed anywhere for FFCs.
I’m curious, as selecting an FFC as payment appears to actually lower the cost of the booking, which presumably could affect the PQPs earned? Hopefully that isn’t the case…
Nov 24, 2021, 5:26 pm
#822
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Do FFCs earn full PQP value as though you are using cash?
Im aware that ETCs do, but I can’t seem to find this explicitly confirmed anywhere for FFCs.
I’m curious, as selecting an FFC as payment appears to actually lower the cost of the booking, which presumably could affect the PQPs earned? Hopefully that isn’t the case…
Im aware that ETCs do, but I can’t seem to find this explicitly confirmed anywhere for FFCs.
I’m curious, as selecting an FFC as payment appears to actually lower the cost of the booking, which presumably could affect the PQPs earned? Hopefully that isn’t the case…
Nov 25, 2021, 1:10 am
#823
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 803
This is an area were things are rapidly changing. In the past the dual use was not allow and travel bank was only for all UA itins.
Now you say for an all UA you can use together. That is an example of some of the recent changes. ETCs can not be used for partners, which is new.
Expect more changes to come. UA is making these flight credits easier to use and easier to to use multiple together. But it is still a Work in Progress -- Issues using FFCs or ETCs (travel credits) for payment
You can convert the travel bank funds to an FFC if you find any set of flights for the right amount (wait at least > 24 hours). Wait a few days and cancel --- viola, an FFC which can now be used with another FFC.
Now you say for an all UA you can use together. That is an example of some of the recent changes. ETCs can not be used for partners, which is new.
Expect more changes to come. UA is making these flight credits easier to use and easier to to use multiple together. But it is still a Work in Progress -- Issues using FFCs or ETCs (travel credits) for payment
You can convert the travel bank funds to an FFC if you find any set of flights for the right amount (wait at least > 24 hours). Wait a few days and cancel --- viola, an FFC which can now be used with another FFC.
Nov 25, 2021, 2:00 am
#824
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
you can combine FFCs, but not TravelBank funds and FFCs. If you buy a refundable fare, and then cancel - it will refund back to your original form of payment, ie, back to your travelbank, and then you are back to where you started (and TravelBank refunds need to manually process, so I think the timeline to get that back is 21days, so really, you will be back where you were…eventually).
if you want an FFC to use and combine with a previous one, you’d want to buy a non-refundable ticket, then wait 24 hours (ie, past the cancelation without a fee window), and then cancel the itinerary. That way, you’d get another FFC that you can combine with an existing one.
Nov 26, 2021, 12:59 am
#825
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 803
no, not exactly.
you can combine FFCs, but not TravelBank funds and FFCs. If you buy a refundable fare, and then cancel - it will refund back to your original form of payment, ie, back to your travelbank, and then you are back to where you started (and TravelBank refunds need to manually process, so I think the timeline to get that back is 21days, so really, you will be back where you were…eventually).
if you want an FFC to use and combine with a previous one, you’d want to buy a non-refundable ticket, then wait 24 hours (ie, past the cancelation without a fee window), and then cancel the itinerary. That way, you’d get another FFC that you can combine with an existing one.
you can combine FFCs, but not TravelBank funds and FFCs. If you buy a refundable fare, and then cancel - it will refund back to your original form of payment, ie, back to your travelbank, and then you are back to where you started (and TravelBank refunds need to manually process, so I think the timeline to get that back is 21days, so really, you will be back where you were…eventually).
if you want an FFC to use and combine with a previous one, you’d want to buy a non-refundable ticket, then wait 24 hours (ie, past the cancelation without a fee window), and then cancel the itinerary. That way, you’d get another FFC that you can combine with an existing one.