Jan 4, 2017, 7:25 am
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)
Jun 16, 2019, 6:56 am
#826
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 4
Premium plus upgrade
Has anyone tried to use the AMEX airline credit toward the premium plus upgrades on UA? I know they just rolled these seats out recently but just wondering if their were any data points on this.
Jun 17, 2019, 1:03 pm
#827
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
I got an award ticket for someone else, and upgraded the seat ($15) using AMEX. I ended up canceling that ticket; United refunded me the $15 while at the same time AMEX credited me $15. Possible convoluted workaround - but note with my status I can cancel award tickets for free, others have to pay.
Jun 22, 2019, 12:57 pm
#828
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
So any changes to whether gift cards work at AA is due to AA's purchase coding, and has nothing to do with any changes at Amex.
So I don't see why changes to AA's purchase coding would have anything to do with competitor UA.
Jun 22, 2019, 3:09 pm
#829
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: HH Diamond, Bonvoy something
Posts: 126
Whether an AA gift cards works is totally dependent on how AA codes the purchase. Those gift cards that "worked" were coded not as gift card purchases, those gift cards that "didn't work" were coded as gift card purchases, and that's why they didn't work.
So any changes to whether gift cards work at AA is due to AA's purchase coding, and has nothing to do with any changes at Amex.
So I don't see why changes to AA's purchase coding would have anything to do with competitor UA.
So any changes to whether gift cards work at AA is due to AA's purchase coding, and has nothing to do with any changes at Amex.
So I don't see why changes to AA's purchase coding would have anything to do with competitor UA.
Jun 24, 2019, 6:59 am
#830
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
So I currently I have $100 in Amex "airline fee credit" and AA is my selected airline. It sounds like I can't buy a gift card, so I was thinking of switching to UA because I have a bunch of upcoming UA flights. However, it's not clear to me which charges I can use this for, other than E+ and baggage. Is onboard wifi covered? I already have UA silver so I get free bags and seats, but I'd love wifi. I never fly Delta so I don't want to switch to them.
Jun 24, 2019, 12:09 pm
#831
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
So I currently I have $100 in Amex "airline fee credit" and AA is my selected airline. It sounds like I can't buy a gift card, so I was thinking of switching to UA because I have a bunch of upcoming UA flights. However, it's not clear to me which charges I can use this for, other than E+ and baggage. Is onboard wifi covered? I already have UA silver so I get free bags and seats, but I'd love wifi. I never fly Delta so I don't want to switch to them.
Jun 24, 2019, 12:25 pm
#832
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
They usually let you switch around once a year if you ask nicely.
I'm interested in the LHR-EWR route, which looks like it is provided by Panasonic. Would that be a qualifying charge?
I'm interested in the LHR-EWR route, which looks like it is provided by Panasonic. Would that be a qualifying charge?
Last edited by giblet; Jun 24, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Jul 1, 2019, 2:51 pm
#833
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Will $200 airline reimbursement fee cover United Club membership for 1 day for guest
I am flying LAX-LAS and have 3 guests traveling with me
I have a UC membership, so I know I can only enter with 2 guests for free
I havent spent much of my $200 airline credit w/United, so just figured to use my AmEx and it will be covered for guest #3
Is this correct?
I have a UC membership, so I know I can only enter with 2 guests for free
I havent spent much of my $200 airline credit w/United, so just figured to use my AmEx and it will be covered for guest #3
Is this correct?
Jul 1, 2019, 3:01 pm
#834
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Looking at the United Club rules, there does not seem to be a separate provision for additional guests. Instead, you would be purchasing a one-time pass for the third person, and that should be reimbursed.
Jul 1, 2019, 3:48 pm
#835
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Looking at the United Club rules, there does not seem to be a separate provision for additional guests. Instead, you would be purchasing a one-time pass for the third person, and that should be reimbursed.
I can bring in 2 guests at no charge, and want to make sure AmEx will reimburse me for the 3rd guest's day pass
Jul 4, 2019, 7:57 pm
#836
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 27
Any recent data points for E+ seat purchases? Currently, have WN selected on my Personal Platinum and will plead with AMEX CS to allow me to switch to UA. But before I do, I'd like to know that E+ upgrades (added after initial ticket purchase) will be reimbursed. Afraid that the late-June changes to WN may carry over to UA somehow.
Jul 13, 2019, 3:53 pm
#837
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 4
It appears E+ seats do trigger the credit. I’m taking a trip to Mumbai for business this year. I contact the CSR to ask if I purchased the new united premium plus seats (separate purchase from the plane ticket) if it would trigger the credit. He said yes but until I get the credit, I can’t know for sure. Hopefully it does.
Jul 13, 2019, 4:00 pm
#838
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,849
It appears E+ seats do trigger the credit. I’m taking a trip to Mumbai for business this year. I contact the CSR to ask if I purchased the new united premium plus seats (separate purchase from the plane ticket) if it would trigger the credit. He said yes but until I get the credit, I can’t know for sure. Hopefully it does.
Jul 14, 2019, 5:29 am
#839
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 127
Any recent data points for E+ seat purchases? Currently, have WN selected on my Personal Platinum and will plead with AMEX CS to allow me to switch to UA. But before I do, I'd like to know that E+ upgrades (added after initial ticket purchase) will be reimbursed. Afraid that the late-June changes to WN may carry over to UA somehow.
Jul 14, 2019, 9:05 am
#840
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
I’m taking a trip to Mumbai for business this year. I contact the CSR to ask if I purchased the new united premium plus seats (separate purchase from the plane ticket) if it would trigger the credit. He said yes but until I get the credit, I can’t know for sure. Hopefully it does.
The CSR was confused. That's a cabin upgrade, not a seat purchase. It should not trigger AMEX credit.
It's helpful to keep in mind that air fare and cabin upgrade fees are ordinarily not covered. That's per the T&C. E+ purchase, on the other hand, is preferred seat and should always be covered. I would call AMEX if it did not trigger a credit.