Last Updated on April 5, 2024 by Rick Spiegel
In the pandemic era, United Airlines eliminated cancellation fees on many flights and introduced travel credits as a mode of refund. The United Airlines Travel Credits are present in two forms and passengers can use them for booking flights and purchasing other amenities.
If the passenger doesn’t know about United Travel Credit and how to use it? They don’t need to worry as we are going to share everything about United Airlines Future Flight Credits, how to use them, policies, and how to redeposit to your account after cancellation.
United Airlines Travel Credits
You most likely earned a United travel credit if you had to reschedule or cancel a journey on United Airlines or if there were any operational problems.
According to the reason for the issue, United Airlines offers two different kinds of travel credits:
- Future flight credits
- E-Travel certificates
Let us discuss each one by one.
What are United Future Flight Credits?
After cancellation, United Airlines offers refunds or flight credits. You will get future flight credit if you cancel or change your flight to the less expensive one.
- There is no difference between the amount of the credit and that of the refund, both are equal in terms of value.
- You can use these future flight credits to book a flight on United Airlines, United Express, or partner United flights. You can use United future flight credits to purchase economy plus seating, and basic economy seats.
- United Future Flight Credits are valid up to 12 months from the date of issue. Therefore, travelers must book the flight before the expiry date.
- According to the United Airlines Travel Credit Policy, flight credits are non-transferable. It can be only used by the passenger to whom it was issued.
What is the United Airlines E-Travel Certificate?
You will get United Travel e-certificates if you give up your seat during the flight as a good gesture. These credits are also known as electronic travel certificates. For instance – if the flight is overbooked and you opt to travel on a later flight, United will issue an e-travel certificate (ETC).
- You can use the United Airlines travel e-certificate in the same way as United Airlines’ future flight credits.
- The electronic travel certificates are redeemable on United, United Express, and partner flights.
- With e-certificates, passengers can reserve Basic Economy, Economy Plus, and preferred seats.
- According to the United Airlines Travel Credits Policy, e-certificates are eligible for the next 24 months from the date of issue.
- Remember, e-travel certificates cannot be used with Mileage Plus award flights. However, travelers can club multiple e-certificates for flight booking.
- United Travel certificates are not refundable or transferable. However, they can be used by anybody as long as the original certificate holder makes the trip arrangements.
- You cannot use the Future flight credits and Travel certificates together.
How to Check United Airlines Travel Credits?
You can find your Travel credits attached to your United MileagePlus account easily.
- They need to log in to their MileagePlus account.
- On My United page, go to the “Wallet” section.
- Choose “Travel Credit.”
However, if you are not a MileagePlus member, then you can check your travel credits with the help of the confirmation number of your original ticket. You have to take the following steps.
- Visit the official website of United Airlines.
- Go to the My Trips section.
- Under the “My Trips Help” section choose the “Use or Lookup Travel Credit” option.
- Now, on the next page, enter the confirmation number and the last name to fetch the travel credit details.
- The screen will display the credit amount along with the expiration date.
If your travel credit isn’t showing up in your account or you don’t have the confirmation number or PIN, you may retrieve any travel credits connected to your United trip by also entering the email address related to your journey.
How to Redeem United Airlines Travel Credits?
Passengers can use the travel credits easily via booking through the official website or the United app. They just need to follow the simple steps of booking the flight and at the time of checkout opt for the “Travel Credit” as payment mode.
Electronic Travel Certificates
If you’ve chosen a qualified flight, you’ll find an opportunity to redeem your ETCs. On the payment page, choose the “Electronic Travel Certificate” under the redemption option. After that, enter
- Enter the date of issue
- Pin code (10 digits)
- Recipient’s last name
Lastly, click on the apply button. You will find the amount deducted from your total booking payment.
- At the time of redeeming United Airlines electronic travel certificates, you must ensure that at least one segment in the itinerary is run by United and United Express for travel operated by partner airlines.
- You can use the ETC more than once. If the flight costs less than the certificate’s value, the remaining amount will stay in your account.
- Also, you can combine ETCs with a credit card payment.
Future Travel Credits
Similarly, you can also redeem the future travel credits on the checkout page.
- If you have FTC, then pick the option of Travel Credit at the time of payment.
- Now, choose the future travel credit as payment mode.
- The credit will be deducted from the account.
The United Future Flight Credits can also be used for booking partner airlines even if the itinerary does not include any United flight.
United Airlines Travel Bank Cash
- Unlike travel certificates and future credit, Travel Bank cash can be purchased directly. It can be considered as a third travel credit option on United Airlines. Travelers can simply add cash to their account and use the Travel Bank as payment mode via United.com or the United App.
- United Airlines Travel Bank perk is only open to MileagePlus members.
- However, members cannot use the TravelBank cash in conjunction with travel certificates, future flight credit, or miles.
- According to United Airlines, TravelBank Cash is valid for flight travel purchases only on United and United Express flights.
- Passengers can utilize upto $5,000 per day on TravelBank purchases.
- TravelBank Cash in an account will expire if there are no activities in the account for 18 consecutive months.
You can find the Travel Bank cash amount in your account by taking these few steps.
- Log in to your United MileagePlus account.
- Go to your profile.
- Under the “My United” page, select “Wallet.”
- From the list choose “Travel Bank.”
- The balance will be displayed on the screen along with the expiry date of the fund.
United Travel Funds Expiration Policy
Another question that might come into your mind is whether the United Travel Fund expires. Well, YES. The different travel fund has different validity periods.
Future flight credits: It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Electronic travel certificates: The ETC can be redeemed up to 24 months from the time of issue.
TravelBank cash: It does not expire up to five years from the date of issue.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Are future flight credits refundable?
Yes, future flight credits are refundable. If the amount is less than the credit, then the rest of the future flight credit will be refunded to your account.
How long are United future flight credits valid?
United Airlines’ future flight credits are valid for up to one year from the date of issue of the original ticket. So, you can use the future flight credit for booking up to 12 months.
Can I use future flight credit multiple times?
Yes, you can use United Future flight credit multiple times. If the value of the ticket is less than the credit, then the remaining balance can be used for future booking. But you cannot combine future flight credits and travel e-certificates.
How do I redeem my United Airlines travel credits?
Select your flight details and other travel information like normal. On the checkout page select travel credit as the payment option. Now you can use your United travel credits for payment.
Can anyone use my future flight credits?
United future flight credits are non-transferable. So, it can be used only by the passengers to whom it was issued.
Where do I find my United Travel credit info?
You can get the status of your travel credit in your MileagePlus account. You have to log in to your account, navigate to your profile, and select the “My United” option. Under the option, choose Wallet and pick the credit option about which you want the information.
What if I have a travel credit issued for a flight originally booked through a travel agency?
If you have acquired future travel credits for flights booked via a travel agency, then you use it. There are no such restrictions. You will still be able to use your travel credit for future booking and flight shopping on united.com.
What is the difference between a future flight credit and a travel certificate on United?
The future flight credits are valid only if your trip starts before the expiration of the credit. On the other hand, a Travel certificate should be used for booking a flight before the expiry date. In the case of a travel certificate, it is not a problem, if the trip is initiated after the expiry of the certificate unless you have booked it prior to expiry.
Can anyone use United Airlines Electronic Travel Certificates?
United Travel certificates are not refundable or transferable. However, they can be used by anybody as long as the original certificate holder makes the trip arrangement.
Why can I not use my United travel credit?
There can be two possible reasons that you are not able to use the United travel credit.
- Your United Airlines Travel Credit has expired.
- The condition of the booking does not allow you to use the credit.
How long United electronic travel certificates are valid?
United electronic travel certificates are valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Travelers can use the e-certificates multiple times until the exhaustion of the value.
Do I get travel credit if I cancel the United flight?
United Airlines issues future flight credits if you cancel your trip. Also, if you change your flight to a cheaper one, United will credit the remaining balance in the form of travel credits.
Does United Travel Bank Cash expire?
Travel Bank cash is valid only for flight bookings, including ticket prices, taxes, and surcharges. They are valid for five years. If the account shows inactivity for 18 consecutive months, then all accrued TravelBank cash will expire.
When does United Airlines issue e-certificate?
United Airlines issues an e-travel certificate if the passenger chooses to give up their seats due to overbooking or the airline denies boarding due to overbooking. Sometimes, United Airlines also issues e-certificates as a goodwill gesture.
What can I use my United Travel credits for?
You can use the United Travel credits to purchase tickets on United, United Express, and partner flights. Also, it can be used for purchasing Economy Plus, Basic Economy, and preferred seats.
Can I use MileagePlus Points on a flight booked with travel credits?
You cannot use the combination of MileagePlus and travel credits at the time of booking. However, you can book your ticket using travel credits and use the miles to upgrade your booking later.
Can I use Travel Bank funds for additional purchases on United Airlines?
No. Passengers can only use Travel Bank funds for flight booking on United Airlines. Travelers can redeem it for flights operated by United and United Express.
How do I track United travel credit if I don’t have a confirmation number?
If you don’t have a MileagePlus account and also don’t remember the six-digit confirmation number, then you can still track your United travel credits. You have to visit united.com and at the official website go to “My Trips Help” and choose the “Use or lookup travel credits” option. Here, you will find the email option. Enter the email linked to your account to fetch the travel credit details.
