United flight credits carry a travel-by date and travel certificates a book-by date

Key facts, with sources and dates

• In most cases United travel credits expire one year after the date they were issued, and the date is printed on the credit (United Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
• Future flight credits for tickets bought on or before 31 August 2021 can be used for anyone; later ones only by the named traveller (United Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
• Several credits of one type can go on one purchase, but future flight credits and travel certificates cannot be combined (United Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
• United's commitment says credits it offers for a significantly disrupted flight are valid for one year and cannot be transferred (United Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)2.
• A credit offered explicitly in place of a refund that is owed must stay valid for at least 5 years under 14 CFR 260.6(c)(2) (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)3.

Future flight credits and travel certificates compared

Set out from United's travel credits page and certificate terms11.

Does United flight credit expire?

Yes. In most cases a United travel credit expires one year after it was issued, and the date is on the credit1. For a future flight credit it is a travel-by date, so the trip has to start before it. For a travel certificate it is a book-by date, so the booking has to be made before it. Return flights on that booking follow the fare rules and should generally be booked within a year of the trip's start.

Can someone else use my United credit?

A future flight credit normally stays with the traveller it was issued to. Credits for tickets bought on or before 31 August 2021 are the exception and can book anyone1. A travel certificate can be used to book travel for someone else, though it cannot be sold, traded or bartered1.

How do I look up a United travel credit?

1. Find the number. For a future flight credit, the confirmation number of the original ticket. For a travel certificate, the PIN from the email.
2. Look it up on united.com. On the travel credits page enter the number and last name, or search by email. MileagePlus members can see credits in their account.
3. Book and choose travel credits at payment. Credits linked to your MileagePlus account appear when you choose Travel Credits; others can be looked up at checkout.
4. Check the type before mixing. Credits of one type can be combined; future flight credits and certificates cannot.

Steps from United's travel credits page1. A credit from a travel agency booking is used through that agency.

When United cancels, you can refuse the credit and take the cash

If United cancels your flight or changes it significantly (3 hours or more on a domestic trip, 6 international, a different airport, an extra stop or a downgrade) and you don't travel, the fare, taxes and paid extras come back to your original payment. The cause makes no difference3.

A credit counts only if you agree to it. If one is offered explicitly in place of the refund, federal rules say it must last at least 5 years3. Ask in writing for the refund to your card; it is due within 7 business days, or 20 days for other payments.

United's own commitment lets you choose the refund

United says that when it offers travel credits for a significantly disrupted flight, the customer can choose between a refund and the credit2. Refunds are available for cancellations, delays or changes of 3 hours domestic or 6 international, downgrades, airport changes and extra stops, and for oversold flights when you turn down the rebooking2.

For the refund form and timing, see United refunds.

What United offered on 13 November 2026

United waived change fees and fare differences for new flights between the same cities and offered a full refund to customers who chose to stay home4. No US airline's page offered hotels or meals that day5.

Questions people ask

More on refunds, credits and compensation