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)
#571
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,292
I suggest you call AmEx. I think I made a similar mistake a few years ago and AmEx was able to give me the credit after I called.
#573
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Yep. Good way to not only ruin it for everyone else going forward, but invite unnecceary scrutiny. Even if OP succeed, there is no guarantee that there won't be a clawback.
#574
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
You're absolutely right, but let's face it: the info is already in the public domain and has been for quite some time now. Also, if you look at the additional information when clicking on the charge (on the desktop site), it clearly displays Travel Bank (i.e. their data team could easily isolate all travel bank charges in minutes)
#576
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
You're absolutely right, but let's face it: the info is already in the public domain and has been for quite some time now. Also, if you look at the additional information when clicking on the charge (on the desktop site), it clearly displays Travel Bank (i.e. their data team could easily isolate all travel bank charges in minutes)
#577
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: AK, AS, CX, HA, JQ, UA, AAA, AMEX, Chase, Citi, WHG, HH, IHG, MRRTT
Posts: 13
12/5 changed Plat, Gold & Aspire to UA
12/7 charged $250, $100 & $250 (Spouse CC to my UA acct) respectively
12/9 posted
12/9 to 12/12 all reimbursed
Thank you everyone for the DP info
12/7 charged $250, $100 & $250 (Spouse CC to my UA acct) respectively
12/9 posted
12/9 to 12/12 all reimbursed
Thank you everyone for the DP info
#578
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
Thanks everyone for this dp.. was looking for a way to get flexible currency for the $100 airline benefit and this is valid for 5 years so works perfectly. If this works in Jan, then would be $200 in flexible funds for use for a ticket in 5 years which is as good as it gets. P.S - Amex chat must be getting many requests for an airline change to UA this time of the year and may possibly be wondering about the reason
#579
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Dec 9 Changed airline fee credit to united on Aspire
Dec 12 Charged $250 on United travel bank to card
Dec 16 Reimbursed $250
Dec 12 Charged $250 on United travel bank to card
Dec 16 Reimbursed $250
#580
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: NJ
Programs: UA, Chase, AMEX, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 16
when people say they purchased 2x $100 on the same day, are they doing 2 separate transactions of $100 or is there a way to add 2 $100 in the cart and checkout together? i cant do the latter.
also i read that people were having issues with doing a 2nd transaction somewhere above, in that case how is the 1st option handled?
also i read that people were having issues with doing a 2nd transaction somewhere above, in that case how is the 1st option handled?
With that said when I did mine I did it on mobile. as soon as I landed on the screen saying “Thank you! Your purchase etc” I refreshed my page and restart the process. If you’re on the laptop/desktop then refresh and go from there. I didn’t run into any issues personally. Hope that tib-bit helped
#581
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Set Aspire as United on Dec 13, made $250 purchase on travel bank. Didn't notice when it posted, but meter has not moved as of Dec 18.
#582
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Washington DC Metro
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 166
Update: the 3 credits ($100, $100, $50) hit my account today, 12/19, with a posting date of yesterday, 12/18. Thanks to all for all the DPs!
Last edited by comeflywme; Dec 19, 2020 at 8:48 am
#583
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: HH Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 33
Chose United as the selected airline for my Platinum card last Saturday 12/12 at 9pm PST. Got the confirmation e-mail from AMEX that United was now my airline. I waited an hour then purchased one lot of $100 in United travel bank funds. Haven't gotten any credit and the meter is still showing $200 available to be used.
When I used my Aspire back in September to buy cheap Southwest flights I was credited within 3 days.
#584
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
dead already?
#585
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901