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How To Use United Airlines Travel Credits

United Airlines travel credits can save you money on your next flights. Wondering how to use them or if you can share them with others? This guide breaks down the types of United travel credits, explains how to use them for someone else, and highlights important rules. 

Read on to make the most of your United travel credits and save big!

What Exactly Are The United Airlines Travel Credits?

United Airlines gives you travel credits when your flight is canceled, delayed, or you face other travel issues. These credits are like vouchers that you can use to book your next flights with United or their partners. 

The airline offers different types of credits:

  • Electronic Travel Certificate (ETC) – This credit is available for canceled non-refundable tickets. It is valid for one year
  • Future Flight Credit – It is a credit for any disruptions and stays valid for two years.
  • Goodwill Flight Credit – United might give you this credit as a gesture of goodwill for service issues. It’s usually valid for 90 days.

Using United Airlines Credits

If you have travel credits with United Airlines, here’s how to use them:

  • Check Your Credits 

Log in to your MileagePlus account or call United customer service to see how much credit you have.

  • Book Your Flight

Once you know your credit amount, use it to book your United Airlines or United Express flight on their website or app.

  • Use Your Credits

When you’re paying for your ticket, apply your travel credits at the payment step. Just enter how much credit you want to use and click ‘Apply.’

  • Pay the Rest

If your travel credits don’t cover the whole cost, you can pay the remaining amount with your credit card or another accepted payment method.

How to Get United Travel Credits?

The below-mentioned are some ways you can use to get United Airlines travel credits. However, while getting these credits, remember that travel credits are linked to the person who first booked or canceled the ticket.

  • Cancel Non-Refundable Tickets – If you cancel certain tickets at least 25 hours before your flight, you get Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC) for the remaining value.
  • Flight Changes by United – If United changes or cancels your flight, you usually get a future flight credit valid for 2 years.
  • Service Issues: – For big delays, damaged luggage, or other problems, you might get a goodwill credit.
  • Convert Miles – Turn your unused MileagePlus miles into United TravelBank credits.

Tip: Use your credits for your next trip within their time limit. Redeem them online on United’s official website or through the United app.

United Airlines Travel Credit Policy

  • Flight Cancellations: – If United cancels your flight, you might get travel credit based on the situation.
  • Flight Delays – If your flight is delayed by two hours or more, you could qualify for travel credit. The amount depends on how long the delay is.
  • Changing Your Flight – If you decide to change your flight plans, you could earn travel credit. The amount depends on the rules of your original ticket.

United Airlines travel credit is valid for 12 months from when it’s issued. You can use it to book flights for anyone, not just the person who earned the credit.

Using Your United Credit For Someone Else

Yes, you can share your United credit with someone, but there are some rules:

Rules For Sharing United Credit

  • Who Can Travel – Only family members or registered companions can use the credit – this includes spouses, partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.
  • Listing in Your Account – Your family member must be in your United account, which you can do by logging in online.
  • Booking Your Flight – When you book, put both your name and the traveler’s name in the reservation, like “John Smith and Nina Smith.”
  • ID Check at the Airport – At check-in, the traveler needs to show an ID that matches the reservation.

As the main cardholder, you still get rewards and perks when you book. However, you must avoid using your credit to buy tickets for someone not in your family. Breaking this rule might make you lose your rewards.

Helping Someone Else With Your United Credit

Below are some ways that you can use to help someone else with your United credit.

  1. Add a Family Member – Make sure your family member is in your United account. Do it online when you log in.
  2. Book the Flight – When booking, put both your name and the traveler’s name.
  3. Pay for It – Use your United credit card details to pay for the booking.
  4. ID at the Airport – Tell the traveler to bring a valid photo ID matching the reservation to the airport.
  5. Check-in and Boarding -The traveler can check in and board like normal by showing their ID.

By doing this, the reservation is connected to your account. The traveler can take the flight and you still get rewards.

Time Limits And Rules

There are some limits and rules connected with United Credit. 

When Credits Expire

Unused United credit usually lasts for 12 months. For example, if you got credit in January 2023, use it by January 2024 to avoid losing it. Sometimes, credit from canceled flights might expire sooner, maybe within 1 year from when you first booked.

Changing Your Flight

You won’t be charged to change your United flight with credit, but you can only do it for free within the first 24 hours. After that, you might have to pay regular change fees.

Flight Changes With Credit

After buying a ticket, you can’t easily switch to a different flight days or weeks later using your credit.

Additional Restrictions

  • Credit is only for the person named on the ticket.
  • You usually can’t use credit from one United account for a flight booked through another account.
  • Each passenger on a flight can use only one credit; you can’t combine them.
  • Any extra amount beyond the credit must be paid with cash, not another credit.
  • You can’t transfer or sell your credit; it’s non-negotiable.

Wrapping It Up!

To make the most of your United Airlines travel credits, plan carefully within the 12 months they’re valid. Just remember to take a look at how to use these credits and the rules for using them to have a smooth trip. Plan smart to enjoy the perks that come with your bookings, also check United’s airline cancellation policy

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