United Airlines Travel Credits

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20 August 2025

United Airlines Travel Credits

Flight disruptions and last-minute changes are part of modern travel. Airlines usually issue travel credits instead of refunds to make the process smoother for passengers. United Airlines is no exception. United Airlines travel credits system allows customers to reuse the value of unused or canceled tickets toward future flights. These rules, types and redemption process can be confusing for many travelers.
 
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about United Airlines travel credits—what they are, how they work and how to make the most of them. Contact United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 or WinkTravelDeals at +1-866-579-8033 to know more.
 

Understanding What United Airlines Travel Credits Are

The United Airlines travel credits are electronic vouchers issued when you cancel a ticket, downgrade a service or receive compensation from the airline. Rather than returning money to your original payment method, United issues a credit that can be applied to a future booking. These credits act as a form of currency within the airline’s ecosystem and they can only be used on United-operated flights or services sold through United’s official channels.
 
Credits are linked to the passenger’s name and MileagePlus account when available. They can typically be redeemed online or by phone which makes them fairly flexible though restrictions may apply depending on the type of credit.
 

Types of United Airlines Travel Credits Explained

United Airlines provides two main types of travel credits:
 
United Airlines Travel Credits
 

Future Flight Credit (FFC)

These credits are issued when a traveler cancels a flight or makes a voluntary change to their itinerary. They are non-transferable and can only be used by the original traveler.
 

United Travel Certificate (UTC)

These are usually issued as compensation for service disruptions or customer goodwill. Travel certificates are more flexible than FFCs and can sometimes be transferred or gifted.
 
Knowing the distinction between these two credit types is crucial because the rules for expiration, transferability and redemption vary significantly.
 

United Future Flight Credit (FFC) Guide

Future Flight Credits are the most common type of credit United passengers encounter. If you cancel a nonrefundable ticket, United typically converts the ticket value into an FFC. Here is what you should know:
  • Eligibility: Only the traveler whose name is on the original ticket can use the FFC. You can’t transfer it to someone else even within the same household.
  • Usage: FFCs can be applied toward any United or United Express flight but not for seat upgrades or baggage fees or other ancillary purchases.
  • Expiration: Most FFCs must be used within a set period usually 12 months from the date of issuance. United has occasionally extended expiration policies during extraordinary situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Redemption Process: FFCs are automatically displayed in your United account when you log in which makes them easy to apply during checkout.
FFCs are great if you know you will fly again soon but their non-transferability makes them less versatile compared to travel certificates.
 

Everything About United Travel Certificates (UTC)

United Travel Certificates function more like gift cards than personal credits. They are issued for customer service reasons like when your flight is overbooked, delayed or canceled by the airline. Here are some important features:
 
  • Transferability: Unlike FFCs, UTCs can be transferred. You can give them to a friend or family member, provided the booking is made in their name.
  • Redemption Options: They can be used not only for flights but also for certain extras depending on United’s current policy.
  • Validity Period: Most UTCs are valid for 12–24 months from the date of issue and expiration terms are clearly stated in the email or document provided by United.
  • How They’re Delivered: UTCs are typically emailed as codes which you enter at checkout to apply to your booking.
UTCs are highly valuable due to their flexibility for frequent travelers who may want to share or transfer credits within their network.
 

How to Check and Locate Your United Airlines Travel Credits

Locating your United travel credits is straightforward:
 
  • Via United.com: Log in to your MileagePlus account. Navigate to the ‘Travel Credits’ section under your profile. There you will see all available FFCs tied to your account.
  • For UTCs: These are not tied to a MileagePlus account. United emails you a certificate number and PIN which you must keep safe.
  • Customer Service: Call United’s customer service if you cannot find your credits. Representatives can help track down your credit details.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using United Airlines Travel Credits

Using United Airlines travel credits doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a breakdown:
 
  • Start Booking: Visit United.com or open the mobile app.
  • Select Flight: Choose your flights as usual.
  • Apply Credit: Look for the option to apply a Future Flight Credit on the payment screen or enter a Travel Certificate code.
  • Confirm Details: You can pay the balance with a credit card if the credit covers only part of the fare.
  • Finalize Purchase: Complete checkout and your new ticket will be issued.
Simply provide the credit information to the United representative for phone bookings.
 

Redeeming United Airlines Travel Credits: A Complete Process

Remember these important points when redeeming United Airlines travel credits:
 
  • Partial Use: The remaining balance stays in your account for future use if your flight costs less than the credit.
  • Multiple Credits: You can usually combine multiple credits though there may be a limit to how many can be applied to one booking.
  • Non-Flight Use: Some UTCs can be used toward vacation packages or services sold directly by United but FFCs are strictly for flight purchases.
Keep track of balances after each redemption as unused amounts will retain the original expiration date.
 

Do United Airlines Travel Credits Have an Expiration Date?

Yes. Both FFCs and UTCs have expiration dates but the terms vary:
 
  • Future Flight Credits: Typically valid for one year from the date of issue, with travel needing to be completed before expiration.
  • United Travel Certificates: Usually valid for 12–24 months with details specified in the issuance email.
Always check the expiration policy before planning your trip to avoid losing your credit.
 

Using United Airlines Travel Credits Along with PlusPoints

PlusPoints are United’s upgrade credits available to Premier Platinum and 1K MileagePlus members. While PlusPoints and travel credits serve different functions, they can work together:
 
  • Credits for Ticket Purchase: Use your FFC or UTC to pay for the base ticket.
  • PlusPoints for Upgrades: Once your ticket is confirmed, you can apply PlusPoints to move into a higher cabin class.
The two systems don’t overlap but they complement each other. This allows frequent flyers to maximize both savings and comfort on future trips.
 

Conclusion: Maximizing the Value of United Airlines Travel Credits

The United Airlines travel credits provide a practical way of holding on to value from missed or interrupted flights. The trick is to understand the difference between Future Flight Credits and Travel Certificates, the terms attached to each and keeping track of when they expire. You can make sure that not a single dollar is wasted by keeping close tabs on your credits and combining them with other United perks such as PlusPoints. Call United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 or WinkTravelDeals at +1-866-579-8033 for any questions or details.
 
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