Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
United Airlines FareLock lets travelers reserve a quoted flight price for up to 3, 7, or 14 days without purchasing the full ticket immediately. While FareLock itself is a paid, non-refundable reservation hold rather than a credit, travelers can use accumulated Future Flight Credits (FFC), Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC), or TravelBank funds to purchase the locked ticket before the hold window expires. Understanding how these distinct products interact ensures you secure low fares and redeem travel credits seamlessly without unexpected booking cancellations.
Quick Answer
FareLock is United Airlines’ proprietary service that holds a flight reservation and price for 3 to 14 days for a dynamic fee (typically $4.99–$35+). The FareLock fee is non-refundable and does not apply toward ticket costs. You can finalize and pay for your locked reservation online using Future Flight Credits, Electronic Travel Certificates, or standard payment methods before the hold expires.
Key Takeaways
- FareLock holds fares: Locks prices on eligible United and United Express flights for 3, 7, or 14 days.
- Non-refundable fee: The hold fee is separate from the airfare and is not refunded or credited if you cancel or let the hold expire.
- Credit compatibility: You can apply Future Flight Credits (FFC) and Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC) online when completing purchase of a FareLocked itinerary.
- Auto-cancel safeguard: If you do not purchase the ticket before the countdown clock ends, the held reservation cancels automatically with no further charges.
What Is United FareLock and How Does It Work with Travel Credits?
FareLock is a specialized booking tool offered by United Airlines that freezes an itinerary’s price and guarantees seat availability. When you place a flight on FareLock, United reserves your seat while you finalize travel schedules, coordinate hotel accommodations, or consult travel companions. It eliminates the risk of fare jumps or sold-out cabin classes during your decision-making window.
Travelers frequently confuse FareLock with travel credits because both provide booking flexibility. However, they serve opposite functions in the ticketing lifecycle:
- FareLock: An upfront service that purchases time (a temporary hold) before paying for airfare.
- Future Travel Credits / Flight Credits: Stored monetary balances resulting from canceled tickets, flight changes, or customer care vouchers that are used as currency to buy tickets.
You can hold an itinerary using FareLock and subsequently redeem your stored travel credits at checkout when completing the final purchase. This protects your travel credit value from depreciating against escalating last-minute airfare rates.
At a Glance
| Service Type | Price freeze & reservation hold (United Airlines) |
| Hold Windows | 3 days, 7 days, or 14 days (itinerary dependent) |
| Applicable Flights | United and United Express operated flights |
| Average Cost | $4.99–$35+ USD (Dynamic based on route and duration) |
| Payment Redemption | Credit/Debit Cards, TravelBank, FFC, ETC, MileagePlus Miles |
Who Can Use FareLock and Stored Travel Credits?
Eligibility for FareLock and subsequent credit redemption depends on booking ownership and the specific credit type applied during checkout:
- Original Purchaser Rules: Anyone booking an eligible United flight online or through the mobile app can purchase FareLock. The reservation remains tied to the primary traveler’s name and MileagePlus profile.
- Future Flight Credit (FFC) Transfer Restrictions: FFCs derived from non-refundable ticket cancellations are non-transferable. The name on the FareLocked reservation must match the named traveler on the original cancelled credit voucher.
- Electronic Travel Certificates (ETC) Flexibility: Unlike FFCs, ETCs (often issued for customer service accommodations or promotional offers) are generally transferable and can be applied toward any passenger’s FareLocked booking.
- TravelBank Balances: MileagePlus members with funds in their United TravelBank can apply those credits directly toward a locked booking if logged into the purchasing account.
Pro Tip: If your Future Flight Credit is split across multiple passengers from a prior group itinerary, place each passenger on a matching FareLock hold to ensure individual credits link smoothly during final payment.
How to Pay for FareLock
When selecting FareLock on the United checkout screen, you pay only the hold fee upfront. The full airfare, taxes, and government fees are deferred until you choose to complete ticketing.
- Accepted Payment Methods for the Fee: The hold fee must be paid using a major credit card, debit card, or PayPal. You cannot use travel credits, ETCs, or TravelBank funds to pay the initial FareLock fee.
- Dynamic Pricing Structure: FareLock fees are calculated dynamically by United’s revenue management algorithm. Fees vary based on demand, cabin class, route distance, and the selected duration (3, 7, or 14 days).
- Non-Refundable Policy: The hold fee is an administrative service charge. It is non-refundable under all circumstances, even if you decide not to purchase the flight or if the flight price drops during your hold window.
Warning: The FareLock fee does not count as a down payment toward the ticket. If your ticket costs $400 and your FareLock fee is $15, your final payment remains $400 when ticketing, bringing your total outlay to $415.
How Long FareLock Holds a Price
Depending on how far in advance of departure you book, United offers three standard FareLock hold windows:
- 3-Day Hold: Available for trips departing in the medium term, offering a low-cost pause to verify dates.
- 7-Day Hold: The standard option for itineraries booked weeks or months in advance, ideal for coordinating group travel.
- 14-Day Hold: Offered on select long-haul or peak holiday routes booked well in advance of departure.
“FareLock provides a confirmed reservation code (PNR) that guarantees seat availability and exact fare pricing until the expiration timestamp shown in your reservation manager.”
Once activated, United provides an exact expiration date and time (adjusted to the local time zone of your departure airport). If you take no action before this cutoff, the held itinerary automatically cancels with zero negative impact on your credit card or MileagePlus account.
What FareLock Covers vs. Travel Credit Types
FareLock locks in the core base fare, carrier-imposed surcharges, and mandatory government taxes for the selected itinerary. However, ancillary add-ons (such as seat assignments, Economy Plus upgrades, checked baggage, and Wi-Fi packages) are not locked in and must be selected at prevailing rates during final ticketing.
Farelock Payment Options and Rules
When purchasing your locked itinerary, United allows diverse payment combinations directly through the “Manage Trips” portal on United.com:
- Single Credit Card: Pay the locked total in a single transaction.
- Travel Credits Combined with Cards: Apply valid travel vouchers and pay any remaining balance using a credit or debit card.
- MileagePlus Miles: Convert the itinerary to an award ticket if the locked option supported points at initial selection.
United Travel Credit Breakdown (FFC vs. ETC vs. TravelBank)
To redeem stored credits against a FareLocked booking efficiently, know which credit type you hold and its respective limitations:
| Credit Type | Primary Source | Transferable? | Validity Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Future Flight Credit (FFC) | Voluntary ticket cancellation or flight change | No (Original traveler only) | 12 months from original issue date |
| Electronic Travel Cert (ETC) | Customer care, denied boarding, vouchers | Yes (Usable for any traveler) | 12 to 24 months from issue |
| TravelBank Cash | Direct deposit, credit card perks, promos | Account owner bookings | Up to 5 years (promo balances vary) |
How to Redeem Travel Credits on a FareLocked Flight
Once you are ready to complete your purchase, follow these steps to apply your travel credits to the held reservation:
- Log In to United.com: Go to My Trips and enter your 6-character Confirmation Number (PNR) and Last Name.
- Select “Complete Purchase”: Locate your active FareLock hold and click the purchase button before the countdown timer expires.
- Choose Payment Method: On the payment screen, select Travel Credits or Certificates.
- Search Your Wallet: If logged into MileagePlus, select from your saved Future Flight Credits or enter your 10-digit travel certificate pin manually.
- Pay Remaining Balance: If the credit does not cover the full airfare, enter a credit card to settle the remaining difference and receive your confirmed electronic ticket (e-ticket).
Note: If you experience technical errors applying multiple certificates online, contact United Reservations before your FareLock countdown expires. An agent can manually combine certificates on your held PNR without releasing your locked seat.
FareLock Fees, Limits, and Fine Print
Before committing to a FareLock hold, review the critical operational parameters and restrictions set by United Airlines:
| Rule / Feature | Policy Details |
|---|---|
| Fee Refundability | 100% Non-refundable under all circumstances |
| Partner Airline Eligibility | Only available on flights operated by United and United Express (excludes Star Alliance partners) |
| Schedule Changes | If United alters the schedule during a hold, the locked fare is protected on re-accommodated flights |
| 24-Hour Cancellation Policy | The standard DOT 24-hour flexible refund window begins after final ticketing, not when paying the FareLock hold fee |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a FareLock hold expires?
When your FareLock hold reaches its expiration cutoff, United automatically releases the reserved seats and cancels the PNR. You will not be charged for the ticket, but your upfront FareLock fee is forfeited. If you still wish to travel, you must rebook the flight at current market rates.
Is FareLock worth it on United Airlines?
FareLock is worth the nominal fee if you find an exceptionally low fare or limited award space but need several days to finalize vacation approval or lodging. It serves as inexpensive price insurance against airline revenue management spikes.
How long is a United travel certificate good for?
Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs) are generally valid for 12 to 24 months from the date of issue. Future Flight Credits (FFCs) typically expire 12 months from the original ticket issue date. Always check the exact expiration date in your United MileagePlus Wallet.
Which airlines offer FareLock or similar price-hold services?
“FareLock” is a registered brand of United Airlines. However, several other carriers offer comparable fare-lock products, including American Airlines (free 24-hour holds), Air France/KLM (“Time to Think”), Lufthansa (“Price Secure”), and British Airways (“Hold Your Flight Price”).
Sources
- United Airlines FareLock Information & Program Rules — Official program conditions, eligible routes, and hold duration specifications.
- United Airlines Travel Credits Help Center — Policy definitions for Future Flight Credits, ETC vouchers, and online redemption guidelines.
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Aviation Consumer Protections — Statutory 24-hour flexible booking and cancellation standards for commercial flights.
Conclusion
United FareLock serves as a valuable tool for holding attractive fares while keeping your travel plans flexible. By treating FareLock as a temporary price freeze rather than a travel voucher, you can confidently protect your itinerary from price spikes and redeem your Future Flight Credits or Electronic Travel Certificates before the hold window expires. Review the duration limits and credit rules upfront to manage your bookings smoothly and travel with peace of mind.
