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)
#661
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
December 26 bought 6x$100 on UA travel bank divided between platinum, platinum bs, and Charles Schwab, and $250 UA travel bank on aspire
posted at first as pending united electronic ticketing
today shows as UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX. Still waiting on credit. will update in few days
posted at first as pending united electronic ticketing
today shows as UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX. Still waiting on credit. will update in few days
#662
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,426
Watch the thread below for any news:
Amex USA COVID-19 temporary bonuses
Amex USA COVID-19 temporary bonuses
#663
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 86
Bought 2 x 100 and 1 x 50 on Aspire on 12/24, and 2 x 100 on Plat on 12/26. Meter hasn't moved and no credits posted for any of them. I think I might try again on the Aspire.
#664
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
#665
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 86
I chose UA on 12/23. Transactions posted 2 days after purchase for each. The Aspire was a recent no-AF upgrade which Amex doesn't seem to be going to honor, so I might downgrade the card back if the credits don't post successfully.
#666
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Purchased 1x100 on 12/26 on Plat
Posted 12/28
Reimbursed 12/29
Just bought another 1x100 on Plat and 1 x100 on Gold, hoping those post tomorrow with reimbursement happening on 12/31 or possibly 1/4.
Posted 12/28
Reimbursed 12/29
Just bought another 1x100 on Plat and 1 x100 on Gold, hoping those post tomorrow with reimbursement happening on 12/31 or possibly 1/4.
#667
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 86
United credits posted today, Aspire credits still haven't. Looks like I'll be downgrading the Aspire back.
#668
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DEN
Posts: 502
Upgraded Hilton to Aspire on 12/13
Waited until 12/15 to select UA, to ensure upgrade was complete
Purchased $250 in TravelBank on 12/26
Posted 12/28, reimbursed today 12/29
So quick I didn't even have a chance to do an impatient 'meter has moved but still no credit!?!?' post all too common in these threads
Waited until 12/15 to select UA, to ensure upgrade was complete
Purchased $250 in TravelBank on 12/26
Posted 12/28, reimbursed today 12/29
So quick I didn't even have a chance to do an impatient 'meter has moved but still no credit!?!?' post all too common in these threads
#669
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,535
Initial 250 on Dec 13 lost in the ether
#670
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver; HH DM; National Exec
Posts: 22
Late to the party just switched from AA to United on my Aspire card via Chat and received email confirmation instantly.
Proceeded to purchase TravelBank $250 credit 29/12 it's in God's hand now if it posts by 31st. Limited downside as if posted after 31st it will just use 2021 allowance anyway.. if this does still work. Won't be in the US for at least a year though so any future credit is a win for me.
Will report back.
Proceeded to purchase TravelBank $250 credit 29/12 it's in God's hand now if it posts by 31st. Limited downside as if posted after 31st it will just use 2021 allowance anyway.. if this does still work. Won't be in the US for at least a year though so any future credit is a win for me.
Will report back.
#671
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New York City
Posts: 130
Made a $100 TravelBank purchase on my AmEx Personal Gold today.
Will post back once there's any sign of it working... although the DP will be too late for this year (probably).
Will post back once there's any sign of it working... although the DP will be too late for this year (probably).
#672
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 16
Purchased TB on Aspire and Plat on Sunday. Purchases have posted, but the airline-meter under my benefits hasn't budged. Not too worried, honestly, but we'll see what happens.
#673
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 196
AMEX GOLD
12/29 Switched to United on Chat @ 10:30 Pacific
12/29 Got American Express email states "We've Updated Your Selection For The $100 Airline Fee Credit" @ 11:08 Pacific
12/29 Bought $100 travel bank, shows as UNITED ELECTRONIC TICKETNG @ 12:14 PM Pacific
WILL POST BACK
12/29 Switched to United on Chat @ 10:30 Pacific
12/29 Got American Express email states "We've Updated Your Selection For The $100 Airline Fee Credit" @ 11:08 Pacific
12/29 Bought $100 travel bank, shows as UNITED ELECTRONIC TICKETNG @ 12:14 PM Pacific
WILL POST BACK
#674
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 4
Amex airline reimbursement
Enrolled 12/26
made Travelbank purchase $50 X 4. 12/26
Posted 12/27
Got all 4 credits 12/28
made Travelbank purchase $50 X 4. 12/26
Posted 12/27
Got all 4 credits 12/28
Last edited by Doublepoints; Dec 29, 2020 at 3:25 pm
#675
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409