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)
Mar 8, 2018, 4:02 pm
#496
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
One thing to keep in mind. You can't use Travel Bank funds on any tickets which don't have any non-UA operated segment.
So that makes the TravelBank as a store of value for future spending a lot less valuable.
So that makes the TravelBank as a store of value for future spending a lot less valuable.
Mar 12, 2018, 11:28 am
#497
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Well my Platinum Amex fee came up so I had to cancel the card.
So much for early 2018 for UA Travel Bank.
Guy tried to get me not to cancel and asked why I hadn't used the $200 airline incidental expenses benefits. I didn't get into it with him.
So much for early 2018 for UA Travel Bank.
Guy tried to get me not to cancel and asked why I hadn't used the $200 airline incidental expenses benefits. I didn't get into it with him.
Mar 12, 2018, 11:49 am
#498
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: OZ Diamond *A Gold / Delta Gold
Posts: 775
In December 2017 I upgraded my fiancee and I's flight to lie-flat business class for $300 a seat. It was an internationally configured 757 on a domestic route. I knew that it wasn't typically allowed in the exact terms of use for the credit, but I called up Amex anyways and kindly asked them if they'd be willing to apply the credit towards the purchase. I was totally honest with them and told them it was for a seat upgrade. They obliged and I got a $200 credit posted in a few days. I think Amex is trying to be more flexible with the credit so they can compete with Citi Prestige and Chase Sapphire Reserve.
But in a way, I also understand AMEX: a $200 amount that can be used for any airlines fees is just money that is lost.
In this case, they should just lower the annual fee by that amount...
Mar 13, 2018, 9:16 am
#500
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,732
Mar 13, 2018, 9:30 am
#501
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
True but......while wco81 couldn't use the credit with United (apparently) he could have called AMEX and changed airline preference prior to closing his account so he wouldn't lose the opportunity to gain something from the $200 airline incidental expense credit. (I think that's the point Mr Yak was making.)
Mar 13, 2018, 1:56 pm
#502
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I rarely fly SW.
Mar 13, 2018, 2:17 pm
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
I recently signed up for an Honors AMEX Aspire card that comes with $250 in reimbursable airline fees. In the past several years, I've had various AMEX Platinum cards, and have previously done the UA Gift Registry thing. Last year, I decided to do AA gift cards with my Plat cards. But for my Aspire card, I was thinking of going back to UA. From the recent comments, I see that the UA Gift Registry is down and the best alternative is this pet fee thing. Honestly, the pet thing sounds a bit sketchy, and I'd rather avoid it. Do we know anything about when the Registry might return? It seems like the kind of thing UA would be motivated to fix: after all, when people want to give you money, you tend to take it.
Mar 13, 2018, 2:23 pm
#504
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,949
Mar 14, 2018, 6:45 am
#506
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
So you would prefer I didn't present any non-United options to those in this thread who would instead leave $200 on the table due to current issues with United's travel bank? I stand by my comment. It's completely appropriate here.
Last edited by pallhedge; Mar 14, 2018 at 6:49 am Reason: spelling error
Mar 15, 2018, 9:39 am
#508
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 244
I booked RT ORD-LGA, and after booking, was offered first class upgrade on the LGA-ORD leg for $119 each. Paid for it and was pleasantly surprised to just now discover that American Express credited it back to me as my airline fees credit. Didn't even think about it when I was booking. Coded as Category: Travel - Airline.
Mar 15, 2018, 2:55 pm
#509
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,287
Mar 15, 2018, 5:56 pm
#510
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Greensboro, NC
Programs: UA Million Miler,Hyatt-Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Club Carlson, National-Exec.
Posts: 635
