Last edit by: presario1626
The United gift registry has been discontinued.
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase. Unless you check your bags or experience change fees, United has the fewest options for reimbursement because of the codes they use for transactions.
United does not sell giftcards. As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
Airline Taxes on Award Tickets
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase. Unless you check your bags or experience change fees, United has the fewest options for reimbursement because of the codes they use for transactions.
United does not sell giftcards. As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
Airline Taxes on Award Tickets
Doesn't seem to work anymore; see post 179 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25297196-post179.html and #391
Economy Plus and First Class Upgrade FeesAs of December 2016 there were conflicting posts; one stating that an upgrade to E+ coded as an "upgrade fee" and was, therefore, not reimbursed. Others said they were reimbursed as it was coded as "preferred seat upgrade." In February 2019, three separate FTer reported receiving varying amounts of reimbursement (dependent upon which card was used for the purchase) after purchasing an E+ annual subscription. The E+ subscriptions code as "preferred seat upgrade". Upgrading from E to FC will also not be reimbursed because it codes as a passenger ticket even when done after buying the original ticket. There seems to be a distinction between seat upgrades being reimbursed, while ticket upgrades are not.
Award AcceleratorI would not risk this. The last report of being reimbursed for Award Accelerator was for $68 on October 27, 2011. Every post about Award Accelerator since has reported "No reimbursement."
Eligible incidental fees include:- Checked baggage fees (including overweight/oversize)
- Itinerary change fees
- Phone reservation fees
- Pet flight fees
- Seat assignment fees (E+)
- In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, headphones)
- In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet because it's not charged by the airline)
- Airport lounge day passes & annual memberships
- Onboard WIFI
Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: UA only (2017-2019)
#301
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
If you have not had ANY airline expenses reimbursed in 2017 a customer service agent may allow you to change to another airline, if you ask politely and have a story about changing travel pattern.
#302
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
I'd like to do that; however, I flew on UA a lot this year and am waiting for a 35% MR reimbursement (any day now); so I'm afraid I don't have a real good excuse.
#303
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: FLL/MIA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 138
chatted with AMEX and they changed to Southwest, no issue. Rep was super quick and no questions.
#304
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2
Anyone have any recommendations for what to used the travel credit for since this is dead? Besides checked bags and inflight wifi?
#305
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
#306
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
I have about $100 of the fee reimbursement left to use and no use for the services. I read through and saw in-flight snack was credited. I don't see any exclusion for alcohol in the t&cs. I'm thinking I'll buy drinks for people around me on my last UA flight of the year. Should that credit? I read through this thread and didn't see any mention of on-board cocktail purchases.
#307
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Another option is upgrading to E+ on a flight.
I have about $100 of the fee reimbursement left to use and no use for the services. I read through and saw in-flight snack was credited. I don't see any exclusion for alcohol in the t&cs. I'm thinking I'll buy drinks for people around me on my last UA flight of the year. Should that credit? I read through this thread and didn't see any mention of on-board cocktail purchases.
#308
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 144
Is there a way to buy a basic economy ticket, then use the credit to upgrade to a regular economy ticket, or buy an exit row seat? I’ve used $75 of my $200 this year, so it’s unlikely I’ll be able to switch.
#309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
You can't buy up to economy plus if you have a basic economy ticket.
#310
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
"Hello, AMEX Customer Service Rep? This is Mr. Ravisudhar. I've recently switched companies which means that my travel patterns have changed quite a bit. Because of this, I will be flying AA almost exclusively for the next few months instead of UA. Would it be possible to obtain a one-time courtesy change of airlines for my AMEX Plat airline credit?"
#311
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 264
Got $50 credit left that would usually go into the travel bank if it were online. Since it's not online, I just upgraded my super-long 1hr 35min, SFO - LAS flight to Econ+, via UAL app. I'll update its progress.
And if the UAL travel bank ever goes back online, that $200 will be gone in one or two clicks. No more waiting around for issues like this to arise, like this months long maintenance thing.
And if the UAL travel bank ever goes back online, that $200 will be gone in one or two clicks. No more waiting around for issues like this to arise, like this months long maintenance thing.
#312
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 55
Got $50 credit left that would usually go into the travel bank if it were online. Since it's not online, I just upgraded my super-long 1hr 35min, SFO - LAS flight to Econ+, via UAL app. I'll update its progress.
And if the UAL travel bank ever goes back online, that $200 will be gone in one or two clicks. No more waiting around for issues like this to arise, like this months long maintenance thing.
And if the UAL travel bank ever goes back online, that $200 will be gone in one or two clicks. No more waiting around for issues like this to arise, like this months long maintenance thing.
#313
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 362
I have a couple of questions about buying United Club day passes using these Amex credits:
1. Do they get reimbursed only via the app, or also if you buy them in person at a club location?
2. Can you buy a pass and have your spouse use it?
Thanks for the help.
1. Do they get reimbursed only via the app, or also if you buy them in person at a club location?
2. Can you buy a pass and have your spouse use it?
Thanks for the help.
#314
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
When you purchase the passes via the app they are stored ... in the app. So that may be a bit challenging to give to your wife (unless your purchase through her account/app and use your CC).
When buying at the UC they just swipe your card and admit you entry. I don't think you can purchases passes at the desk for later use (I could be wrong though).
#315
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
Really would like to know if you can buy passes to use later. I'm going to Hawaii next year and could use some extra passes with my leftover Amex credit.