Last edit by: boboqui
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline, then wait a day -- BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase.
WARNING: Beginning in mid-January 2021 Travel Bank (and its former Gift Registry) purchases are coded as Gift Certificates rather than Special Service Tickets. Travel Bank purchases are no longer reimbursed.
In mid-February 2021 United again changed the processing of Travel Bank deposit transactions. They are coded as Special Service Tickets, and reimbursed by American Express, but no assurance this will continue. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash
Travel bank amounts that you can purchase are $50, $100, $250, or more (see screenshot in this post). There is no $200 amount so Platinum card holders with $200 credit will need to purchase 2 x $100.
If credit is not automatically issued (unlikely based on data points), do not contact Amex customer service as it might lead them to close the loophole.
See also this thread in the United Airliines forum on TravelBank: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...get-bonus.html
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 Fees Subscription worked in Feb 2020, data point here. As 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:
Discussion continues here: Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2022)
In mid-February 2021 United again changed the processing of Travel Bank deposit transactions. They are coded as Special Service Tickets, and reimbursed by American Express, but no assurance this will continue. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash
Travel bank amounts that you can purchase are $50, $100, $250, or more (see screenshot in this post). There is no $200 amount so Platinum card holders with $200 credit will need to purchase 2 x $100.
If credit is not automatically issued (unlikely based on data points), do not contact Amex customer service as it might lead them to close the loophole.
See also this thread in the United Airliines forum on TravelBank: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...get-bonus.html
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 Fees Subscription worked in Feb 2020, data point here. As 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
- FareLock
- Pet flight fees
- Seat assignment fees (E+)
- In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, headphones)
- In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet unless it is billed by the airline.)
- Airport lounge day passes & annual memberships
- Onboard WIFI (provided it is billed by the airline.)
Discussion continues here: Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2022)
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: UA only (2020-21)
#241
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 31
I was able to as well: https://www.united.com/offers/travel...0&icid=7424127
#242
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,851
I could sign in with that link and access the Travelbank as well!
#243
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 427
After a few attempts I was able to sign in and make a purchase with that link, but only from an incognito browser. Hope this helps!
#244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,028
Got $200 and $100 credit so glad UA brought this back
#245
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: DownUnder
Programs: SQ Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 134
Were you able to load more cash? I'm now facing the same problem, shows the receipt
#246
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 169
If I understand correctly, I will get $200 back from Amex if I purchase $250 with platinum personal.
I only see DP for $100 on platinum personal
I only see DP for $100 on platinum personal
#249
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 117
I used another laptop to do it. If you do not have a second computer, you could try a different browser or cleared out caches/histories etc...
#250
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
#251
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: DownUnder
Programs: SQ Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 134
It has nothing to do with that. I used a private browser and another computer. When I log into my UAL account on the https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash site, it knows I made $100 once already and doesn't let me do it again.
#252
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 117
It has nothing to do with that. I used a private browser and another computer. When I log into my UAL account on the https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash site, it knows I made $100 once already and doesn't let me do it again.
#253
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: BA
Posts: 954
Made a $100 TravelBank purchase on 8/11 that was successfully credited, but couldn't make another because it just showed the previous purchase confirmation screen upon logging in. Tried again every few days, today it let me make another $100 contribution.
Last edited by wiivile; Aug 25, 2020 at 10:03 am
#254
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NY
Programs: UA Plat (1mm), Marriott Titanium, HH Gold, Hertz Pres
Posts: 430
Wow, thought Travel Bank was dead but this is good news as I have also have some credit left for 2020. I did a quick Google search, seems Chase has rolled out a Travel Bank Visa Card for Chase so maybe we need to thank them.
#255
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Just did this for
Aspire
Amex Plat Personal
Amex Gold
Let's see if it works. will report back later.
Aspire
Amex Plat Personal
Amex Gold
Let's see if it works. will report back later.