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eTicket guidelines
United eTicket parameters:
Maximum name length:
- UA can accept ETKT with name length (FAMILY/GIVEN TITLE) of 49 total characters
PNR ETKT Name Match:
- UA name match between PNR and ETKT requires an EXACT MATCH for the first 23 characters inclusive of FAMILY NAME, '/' GIVEN NAME TITLE
DUPES/EXACT MATCH 1ST 23 CHARACTERS:
- If multiple names in the same PNR are IDENTICAL in the first 23 characters, ETKT will be inhibited. DIVIDE or CREATE separate PNRs for each customer in order to ETKT.
Important reminder concerning the issuance of multiple 016 eTickets in the same record/PNR for the same passenger:
United's eTicket platform will support the issuance of multiple eTickets in the same record for the same passenger. However, United would like to suggest that agencies do not issue and leave open, multiple 016 eTickets in the same PNR for the same passenger when at all possible.
The existence of multiple eTickets in the same record for the same passenger often leads to issues for the passenger and agency such as:
- The inability for passengers to check-in online, curbside, via kiosk or mobile application
- The usage or refund of an undesired eTicket or eTicket segments
- Partially used tickets
- The undesired cancellation of down line segments
Should an agency need to issue multiple 016 eTickets in the same PNR for the same passenger, please be aware that all reissues/exchanges or refunds need to be finalized prior to the opening of United’s online check-in period (24 hours prior to departure).
If multiple valid eTickets are present in the UA PNR, the passenger’s check-in may result in failure; assistance from the travel agency and/or United will then be required which could cause unnecessary delays and inconvenience.
United will not change eTicket status, and will not be responsible for the usage or refund of an undesired eTicket or eTicket segment, a partially used ticket, or any ticketing problem resulting from the issuance of multiple eTickets in the same PNR for the same passenger.
Ordering United (016) plates – requesting 016 ticketing authorization
Requests in the United States
United no longer sends out ticketing plates to domestic U.S. travel agencies. Travel agencies may begin to immediately issue United tickets via their GDS upon receipt of their ticketing ARC number.
If the agency is located in Arizona, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia or Washington, D.C., the agency will be contacted directly by United Airlines with directions on how to receive ticketing authority. For any questions on ticketing in these states, please contact TAAG at 872-825-8581 or email sue.weiler@united.com.
International requests
International travel agencies may contact their normal Bank Settlement Plan (BSP) office to request United ticketing authorization. The BSP office will coordinate with the local UA office for review and processing and United will respond to the agency as soon as possible.
All worn and damaged plates can be returned to:
United Airlines
1600 Smith Street – HQSSL
Houston, TX 77002
Paper ticket fee
United charges a $50.00 USD service fee for all eligible eTickets issued to paper on 016 ticket stock. The fee applies for travel to all destinations, domestic and international, and applies to original and reissued tickets. The paper ticket fee applies to tickets issued from all distribution points including travel agents. In addition, the paper ticket fee applies to all ticket types including group, net, bulk/consolidators, etc. issued in the U.S. for travel to any destination that is eTicket eligible.
This $50.00 fee applies to all tickets issued to paper from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
This fee will not apply to an itinerary that is not eTicket eligible.
This fee should be collected on a miscellaneous charge order (MCO). For complete information on MCOs please see the ARC “Industry Agents’ Handbook” - Section 5.6. Please be sure to include the ticket number on the MCO in the issued in connection with box. If using a MCO mask, enter the paper ticket number in the ticket number field on screen one. Fees that are not correctly assessed will result in a $50.00 administrative debit memo.
Fees, surcharges and taxes
United will impose a minimum $50.00 USD administrative debit memo for any U.S. taxes and fees reported and/or allocated incorrectly. Travel agencies should properly report all U.S. taxes, fees and surcharges. Combining AY fees with U.S. tax amounts will result in a $50.00 administrative debit memo. Surcharges are subject to change at any time. Travel agencies are responsible for reporting the surcharges in effect at the time of ticketing.
Unaccompanied minor travel
Please contact United to arrange for unaccompanied minor travel. Travel agencies cannot confirm unaccompanied minor travel through their GDS.
Waitlist policy
As a reminder, United will accept waitlists for the following classes of service; F, A and Y class domestically, and F, A, J, C, D, Z, P, Y and B class internationally. Waitlist requests for other classes of service will not be accepted.
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