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)
#707
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
12/31 Posted with a date of 12/29 Special Service Ticket:
Flight from CHICAGO O'HARE INT on December 29
CHICAGO O'HARE INT CHICAGO O'HARE INT
01/01 Credit Posted AMEX AIRLINE FEE REIMBURSEMENT - $100.00 with a post date of 12/31
I can confirm that this credit counted for 2020 and not 2021. My meter is reset for 2021 and says, "$100 Credit Available through Dec 2021"
I would like to thank everybody on this forum for making this possible. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Looks like I will be doing lather, rinse, repeat. This was by far the quickest and easiest way to get this reimbursement. THIS IS THE WAY (Mandalorian)
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
12/31 Posted with a date of 12/29 Special Service Ticket:
Flight from CHICAGO O'HARE INT on December 29
CHICAGO O'HARE INT CHICAGO O'HARE INT
01/01 Credit Posted AMEX AIRLINE FEE REIMBURSEMENT - $100.00 with a post date of 12/31
I can confirm that this credit counted for 2020 and not 2021. My meter is reset for 2021 and says, "$100 Credit Available through Dec 2021"
I would like to thank everybody on this forum for making this possible. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Looks like I will be doing lather, rinse, repeat. This was by far the quickest and easiest way to get this reimbursement. THIS IS THE WAY (Mandalorian)
#708
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DEN
Posts: 136
Just did $1,300: 3x biz Plat, 2x Aspire, 1x vanilla Plat. Twelve $100 charges and two $50s that I'm really (really) hoping get reimbursed as fast as they did the other week...
#709
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Enterprise Silver
Posts: 11
2020 DPs across multiple cards
I received airline fee reimbursements for United TravelBank purchases in December 2020 using three personal AMEX cards (Platinum, Gold, and Aspire). Breakdown is below.
ASPIRE:
December 28 - Purchased $250 at United TravelBank
December 30 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
December 31- AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $250 (dated December 30)
GOLD:
December 29 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 31 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
January 1 - AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $100 (dated December 31)
PLATINUM:
December 29 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 31 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
January 1 - AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $200 (dated December 31)
I'll be using my 2021 airline fee credits soon. Thanks to those in this thread who provided DPs for Gold, Platinum, and Aspire cards in December 2020!
ASPIRE:
December 28 - Purchased $250 at United TravelBank
December 30 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
December 31- AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $250 (dated December 30)
GOLD:
December 29 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 31 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
January 1 - AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $100 (dated December 31)
PLATINUM:
December 29 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 31 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
January 1 - AMEX airline fee reimbursement posts for $200 (dated December 31)
I'll be using my 2021 airline fee credits soon. Thanks to those in this thread who provided DPs for Gold, Platinum, and Aspire cards in December 2020!
#711
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 15
Still no 2020 credits for me from Travelbank spend and there was no movement on the meter for credit used when I was still able to check that for 2020. I probably shouldn't be worried but I don't think I can bring myself to do this for 2021 until I see 2020 credits post.
Gold:
December 27 - Changed airline incidental benefit from Delta to United via secure message
December 27 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Schwab Platinum:
December 27 - Selected United for my airline incidental benefit for the year
December 27 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Gold:
December 27 - Changed airline incidental benefit from Delta to United via secure message
December 27 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Schwab Platinum:
December 27 - Selected United for my airline incidental benefit for the year
December 27 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
#712
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 117
Still no 2020 credits for me from Travelbank spend and there was no movement on the meter for credit used when I was still able to check that for 2020. I probably shouldn't be worried but I don't think I can bring myself to do this for 2021 until I see 2020 credits post.
Gold:
December 27 - Changed airline incidental benefit from Delta to United via secure message
December 27 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Schwab Platinum:
December 27 - Selected United for my airline incidental benefit for the year
December 27 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Gold:
December 27 - Changed airline incidental benefit from Delta to United via secure message
December 27 - Purchased $100 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
Schwab Platinum:
December 27 - Selected United for my airline incidental benefit for the year
December 27 - Purchased $200 at United TravelBank
December 29 - Purchase posted as "UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX"
#713
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 792
Just made a $100 travelbank purchase. Will report back.
#714
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
working for BoA Premium Rewards - sorry to ask - what does that mean for Amex travel? Are you splitting purchases?
#715
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,674
I am one that will buy more TB as soon as the credits become available on January 1st. As more people switch their airline to United from Delta and other airlines to take avantage of the TB loophole, I see AMEX clamping down and closing this loophole without notice. Kinda what happen earlier this year with Delta GC's. I wouldn't wait around for the 3 or 5 percent promos knowing how AMEX will eventually catch up to things.
#716
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,841
Can the purchase be made in one transaction for $250 (aspire card) or does it have a limit of $100 or $50 per transaction?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#717
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver; HH DM; National Exec
Posts: 22
DP
29/12 Changed to United and purchased $250 TB credits on Aspire card
29/12 Purchase pending
31/12 Changed to confirmed purchase with posting date of 29/12
01/01 credit posted with posting date of 31/12
looks like the transaction processing gods have been kind. Will sacrifice some miles to charity (and get expiration date extended...)
29/12 Purchase pending
31/12 Changed to confirmed purchase with posting date of 29/12
01/01 credit posted with posting date of 31/12
looks like the transaction processing gods have been kind. Will sacrifice some miles to charity (and get expiration date extended...)
#718
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,841
How do I add money or buy credits using TravelBank?
I looked at my account and see a balance of $0 in Travelbank but no option anywhere on United.com to buy additional funds for Travelbank...
Thanks!
edit: Nevermind, i think i found it.
I looked at my account and see a balance of $0 in Travelbank but no option anywhere on United.com to buy additional funds for Travelbank...
Thanks!
edit: Nevermind, i think i found it.
Last edited by HawaiiO; Jan 1, 2021 at 8:42 pm
#719
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 15
I made the purchases pretty much right after I confirmed that United showed up for the airline incidental credit benefit on both cards. Have you heard of DPs where people didn't get the credit if they waited less than hours/days after selecting the benefit? I wasn't aware that was a risk
Last edited by findthebest; Jan 1, 2021 at 10:34 pm Reason: missing quote
#720
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 240
I made the purchases pretty much right after I confirmed that United showed up for the airline incidental credit benefit on both cards. Have you heard of DPs where people didn't get the credit if they waited less than hours/days after selecting the benefit? I wasn't aware that was a risk