Flight plans change. Sometimes, you cancel, and sometimes, the airline does. When this happens with United Airlines, you’re still in luck. The airline ensures tries to take care of the customers, even during cancellations or delays. The Chicago-based carrier lets you reuse your ticket value for future travel through United Airlines flight credits. These credits are given as compensation to customers during delays as well as when your tickets do not qualify for original payment method refunds.
Wondering how exactly you get these credits and a way to use them for future travel? This guide clearly explains everything you need to know about getting or using flight credits given by United Airlines.
Travel credits are a way of compensation offered by United Airlines in case of flight delays, cancellations, and similar issues. Sometimes, United offers these travel credits to customers who cancel their non-refundable tickets with lower cabin class bookings. These credits are applicable towards future travel with the airline and its partners.
There are two types of flight credits offered by United Airlines, and you can easily find them on the airline’s website. Here are the details:
United Airlines offers future flight credits when you cancel your bookings or change it to a new one that costs less. These are like a travel voucher you receive from the airline in case,
You cancel your trips.
You change your trips to a cheaper one (and there’s a leftover value from your original ticket)
Travel certificates are another form of flight credit offered by United Airlines. You usually receive these in two conditions:
When you volunteer to give up your seat: If your flight is overbooked, United Airlines asks for volunteers to take a later flight and offers travel certificates in exchange. It’s their way of compensating you for your loss.
Goodwill gestures: When something goes wrong with your travel experience like a significant delay or service issue you may receive a travel certificate as a gesture of goodwill.
United Airlines may even offer physical or electronic vouchers in specific situations like denied boarding or service disruptions. MileagePlus members also get award travel credits for their flights booked with miles.
In most cases, United airlines travel credits expire one year after they are issued. However, the exact rules for expiration depend on the type of credits you have. Let’s check out the details:
‘Travel by’ refers to an expiration date, which means if you have these credits, your trip must begin before the date listed on the future flight credit. For example- If your credit expires on December 23. 2025, you should start your trip on or before that date.
United Airlines travel certificates are also termed electronic travel certificates or ETCs. These usually expire within 2 years from the date of issue. They also have a ‘book by’ expiration date. In other words, you must book your tickets before expiration. For example- If your credit expires on December 23. 2025, you should book your trip before that, even if you travel later on.
Please note: If you book a round-trip or return flight using United flight credits, the return portion should follow the ticket type rules. Still, the airline recommends you book your return trip within a year of the beginning of your trip.
Generally, United Airlines will offer you a travel credit in three to four different scenarios. Continue reading further to know when a passenger can get a future travel credit from United Airlines.
A passenger will receive an electronic travel certificate for an eligible non-refundable ticket if they cancel their scheduled flight 24 hours prior to the departure.
You can obtain a future flight credit if United cancels or significantly delays your scheduled flight. The travel credit is valid for 2 years.
As a token of appreciation, United Airlines will offer you a "Goodwill Credit" for damaged luggage and other service-related issues.
With so many things at hand, it's easy to lose track of your credit balance. However, United Airlines makes it easy for you to check and find your flight credits. Here's how you can view it:
Go to United Airlines official website.
Login to your MileagePlus account.
Find and click on My United
Click on the Wallet option.
Click on Travel Credits.
See your credit type, amount, and other details here.
Dial 1-800-864-8331 with your original ticket or confirmation number (from your email).
Request to speak to a live agent for the same concern.
They will help you explore the credit balance tied to your name or booking.
Download the United airlines mobile app.
Log in to your official account.
Check your wallet under the profile info.
Remember to take a screenshot of your credits, expiration dates, and everything else for future reference.
You can also get important details about your travel credit on your registered email address. Here's how you can find it.
On the same page, click on the "Find your travel credit by email" option.
Enter your registered email address.
Now, press the "Send" button.
You will receive the latest details about your travel credit via email.
Important: You can also use United airlines flight travel credits at the airport but its better to use the digital methods for quicker responses.
It is very easy to use United Airlines future travel credit- just book a flight using it as payment mode. To know how to use it take a look at the detailed methods below or dial United airlines customer service number 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) for assistance.
Navigate to the official website of United Airlines (united.com).
Search for the "Mileage Plus" option on the homepage.
Tap on the "My Account" option.
You need to enter your MileagePlus account number and log in.
Check your available travel credit balance.
Head to book a flight by entering your departure airport, arrival airport, travel dates, passenger count, travel class, and fare type.
Proceed to checkout
Choose "Travel Credit" as the payment mode and pay.
If your travel credit doesn't cover the entire amount, pay the remaining balance via credit card.
Check your reservation details after booking confirmation.
Yes, using or applying United Airlines flight credits does have some limitations. Keep these few points in mind to avoid any future surprises:
Future flight credits (FFC) are locked to the original ticketed passenger means no one else can use them for booking.
Electronic Travel Certificates can be used by you but also to book flights for someone else.
There are no taxes or fees on booking award tickets, United airlines vacation packages, or partner bookings.
Basic economy flights are ineligible for travel credits, make sure you check before you apply for travel credits.
You can also use a partial amount from the total credits balance as long as you can use them before the original date of expiration.
You can not use FFC and ETC together online but up to 10 ETCs can be used towards a single itinerary by calling United Airlines.
United Airlines flight travel credits are non-transferable; however, the owner can use them for someone else. Check out the policies below and use them conveniently for another person.
With the help of a travel credit, you can book a flight only for your close family member or companion.
You must add your family member to your United account. Make sure to add them by logging into your account.
You must include your name along with your family member's name in the reservation. For Example: Rosy Wilson and Robin Wilson.
The traveler must submit a valid ID card for identification at the security check-in.
United Airlines will offer you miles and other perks for this reservation, too.
Note that you cannot make a reservation for an unrelated traveler. If you do so, you will lose all your miles.
These may not be available on United airlines official websites, but based on research these tips really worked for some travelers here are the detailed tips and tricks to extend your united flight credits:
Before your FFC expires, book a refundable flight costing more than your credit (e.g., $200 credit, book a $210 flight, pay $10). Wait 24 hours (United’s free cancellation window), then cancel. Get a new FFC with a 12-month expiration from the new booking date.
Call 1-800-864-8331 or DM @United on X and explain your case. The agents may help you better with MileagePlus status.
United airlines flight credits are the most valuable way to rebook flights and vacations after missing out on your previous ones. These can help you book without using extra balance and get on with your travel plans. The convenient future travel credits may expire, so check the details and book smarter. Feel free to contact United Airlines customer service executives for more information on getting and using flight credits. For more details connect with us and we will help you replan using those amazing credits.
