During the early days of the pandemic United allowed people to choose between electronic travel certificates (ETC) and future flight credits (FFC) when cancelling a flight. I wrote about the pros and cons of taking either option here. Of course you should never cancel flights before the day of departure, as you can get a cash refund if United cancels or changes the flight before you cancel the reservation.
Since then, United has made FFC the default option for when you cancel a flight, though if you HUCA you can still trade that for an ETC. You also get an ETC for the change if you exchange an FFC for a flight that costs less than the value of the FFC.
United has also added the ability to view FFCs and ETCs from your account.
In general, ETCs are more flexible, more valuable, can be combined with other ETCs, and last longer, but a major limitation has been that they couldn’t be used for travel on a partner airline.
But now United has removed that restriction and they allow ETCs to be applied towards partner airline flights. For example here is a $25.49 ETC applied towards a Lufthansa flight on United.com:
Now, if only United would restore the ability to cancel flights for an ETC without having to HUCA!
HT: cubicles.
Leave a Reply
23 Comments On "United Now Allows Electronic Travel Certificates To Be Redeemed For Partner Airline Travel!"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
Now, if only United would allow us to Use Travel bank funds on non-UA metal flights.
Cancel a TB booked flight and it can become FFC or ETC.
Great information, glad I posted……it was wishful thinking (I’m sitting on $2,500 in TB credit from Amex cards)
I think you know most of the work arounds and travel hacks for UA.
Glad I could help 🙂
What are the chances of them letting it be changed to an etc ?
Also do i need to wait 24 hours before it is possible to cancel without it being returned to tb
True story, I was shocked when I was able to do this on an Austrian flight last week
Can any of them be used for upgrades or luggage?
Would love to know the same. Anyone have any insight on this?
ETC should be useable for luggage.
Can TB or ETC used to pay for taxes on award ticket?
No, but anyway, you’re better off putting the taxes on a card with flight insurance protections.
Is there now any reason to chose a FFC over a ETC?
Yes.
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/airlines/united/1-week-left-cancel-take-future-flight-credit-electronic-travel-certificate-cancelling-united-flight/
Been trying to convert FFC into ETC lately, without any luck. Tried DM on twitter, and many HUCAs. They’re saying it’s no longer an option. Has anyone had success lately?
Also, phone rep said that we can combine multiple FFC when making a new booking, but it has to be done with rep on phone and cannot be booked online
Just had a Twitter rep convert FFC to ETC now. YMMV. HUCA.
just got a etc now.
after HUCA for the 4th time finally got someone to do it but told me that there receiving so many request for it
100$ increments of tb still works for plat credit of 200?
Yes
“you should never cancel flights before the day of departure, as you can get a cash refund if United cancels or changes the flight before you cancel the reservation.”
What is the best strategy to take if United doesn’t cancel or change a non-refundable paid flight? Should you change to a refundable flight, then wait to see if United cancels the second flight? Can you change for free if you wait till the day of departure? Thanks.
It doesn’t work like that. If they don’t cancel, get an ETC.
Thanks, Dan. I ran into you years ago in the Club room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. I heard you talking about Cleveland and I mentioned that I was also from Cleveland. It was right when United announced that they were pulling their hub from Cleveland. At the time, I didn’t know it was you, but figured it out later. Anyway, thanks for all the excellent advice over the years! Regarding when to ask for the ETC, how long before the flight do you typically ask for it?
Yup, February 2014. Put a damper on that trip.
I’d wait until close to departure before cancelling and asking for an ETC.
Every non refundable basic ticket will be refunded as future travel credit ?
I think ticked purchased from 9/1 are refundable? How long before flight need to notify them ? Can do it on line ? Getting a rep can take hours
Is jet blue basic fare fully refundable covid year ?