Jul 2, 2022, 11:21 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an Archive thread , the active thread is Understanding/Using UA Electronic Travel Certificate(ETC) & Future Flight Credit(FFC)
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* This is still in process but much of this wiki is out-of-date and will need to be rewritten once the dust settles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 -- Whats 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 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 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 -- Whats 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 youd like, and they can be used for travel up to 24 months from the date theyre 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 youd like, and they can be used for travel up to 24 months from the date theyre 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}
May 4, 2022 | 3:02 pm
#1111
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,730
It is also possible to do this if you want to combine travel bank credits with FFCs. Although, most would caution to be careful how often you do this or at least let the original ticket or FFC sit for a while vs immediately rebooking.
May 6, 2022 | 5:54 pm
#1112
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,678
Is there a way to cancel a refundable fare (booked with fresh money from a credit card) into a form of credit that can be used for other passengers but is not a refund to the credit card? The Wiki at the top of this thread tells me that the Wiki's content is outdated.
I want to book two refundable economy class fares (different dates) from Canada to the US for myself, paying through the United website in Canadian Dollars with my credit card. I will likely have to cancel one of these itineraries, maybe both.
I want to book two refundable economy class fares (different dates) from Canada to the US for myself, paying through the United website in Canadian Dollars with my credit card. I will likely have to cancel one of these itineraries, maybe both.
- Do I understand correctly that, if I do not want a refund to my credit card, such a cancellation will result in an FFC, and that I still can not use the FFC for any other passenger?
- Or have recent changes by UA made it possible to use FFC for other passengers?
- Is there a way to put the refund into a Travelbank rather than an FFC, so that I can use the funds for a different passenger?
- Assuming I can put the refund into a Travelbank, will the refund be converted to USD or will it it stay in CAD?
- Is there a better solution?
- Is the situation different if the fare is non-refundable Economy (but not Basic Economy)?
May 7, 2022 | 7:53 am
#1113
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA S, Marriott Gold (UA), Hertz PC (UA), HH Gold (cc), Avis PP, National EC Executive
Posts: 297
Why caution? I book, cancel, and rebook using FFCs pretty often. Is this somehow against the rules?
May 7, 2022 | 10:14 am
#1114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,471
If you're talking about a situation where your plans have actually changed, and therefore you need to cancel and rebook, that's a different story -- you're not breaking any rules at all.
FWIW, the process of changing to a different flight, in order to change back to the original flight and benefit from a fare decrease, falls into this category as well, but I have a hard time believing that UA would really want to make an example of somebody for that. It's unlikely to make them look good, and politicians are always looking for a new punching bag.
May 7, 2022 | 10:27 am
#1115
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montral, Canada
Posts: 1,610
I'm certain all my ETC's were redeemed, so it must have been a temporary technical glitch.
May 7, 2022 | 11:51 pm
#1116
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 192
On the UA website, in My United, my Future Flight Credits state, "Begin Travel by 12/31/2022." However, if I click into the FFC to see the details, it says, "Begin Travel by Dec 31, 2023." Is there a reason for the discrepancy? And which is the real expiration date?
May 8, 2022 | 12:00 am
#1117
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,710
May 8, 2022 | 12:49 pm
#1118
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 192
Onto my next question. I'm booking a flight for my sister and with my combination of ETCs and FFCs. All expiring 12/31/23. Which ones should I use first? Is one better to get rid of first?
After I book it, she'll also most likely be making changes on her end (using the record locator). I didn't know if ETCs or FFCs made a difference when making changes.
May 8, 2022 | 12:59 pm
#1119
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,710
no differences, changes become effective FFCs
May 8, 2022 | 3:44 pm
#1121
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 192
Just out of curiosity, is there a reason United doesn't allow payment in any combination of Future Flight Credit, Travel Certificate, or TravelBank? Of all of those, I feel TravelBank should be the most flexible and allowed in combination with one of the other two.
May 8, 2022 | 3:48 pm
#1122
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: United
Posts: 181
I much prefer to save the ETC as they are great for upgrading a fare basis as long as there is enough credit on the ETC. In the old days ETC did not work outside of united metal, but now that they do I much prefer them for the fare basis update as I shared.
May 8, 2022 | 6:01 pm
#1123
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,730
This is why I recommend letting either the FFC or original booking sit for a while before rebooking or canceling. In an investigation it is a bit harder to say "I booked SFO-LAX for $150 then immediately determined I needed to cancel and book ORD-MSY with the same travel credit."
May 8, 2022 | 7:11 pm
#1124
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,710
May 9, 2022 | 10:34 pm
#1125
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 784
Just had some weirdness using an old FFC that could be used for anyone--I booked a flight using two credits that were in my name and my son's name. When I selected the credits, I zeroed out the amount in his name and left a balance in mine. When I hit buy, it flashed an error--but the ticket got issued and the balance was left as a FFC for him--and now it is restricted to him (couldn't apply it to me on a test booking).
FWIW, it is a residual FFC from a price drop.
Guess I'll call in tomorrow and see if this can get straightened out.
FWIW, it is a residual FFC from a price drop.
Guess I'll call in tomorrow and see if this can get straightened out.
