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)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: ORD
Posts: 702
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: UA only (2020-21)
Purchased a lounge pass via the app and priority boarding on 12/28. We received the credit back on 12/31.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,151
Any recent data points on award redeposit fees being reimbursed (did a quick search but didn't see any)?
Would go for DL (since that's who I fly almost exclusively) but lots of hoops to make something work and I do have to cancel a UA award ticket (x2) so if those are getting reimbursed might as well switch my Plat credit to UA this year instead of DL
Would go for DL (since that's who I fly almost exclusively) but lots of hoops to make something work and I do have to cancel a UA award ticket (x2) so if those are getting reimbursed might as well switch my Plat credit to UA this year instead of DL
#3
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rockies
Programs: UA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy occasionally Bonvoyed Mostly
Posts: 432
is there credit reversal on reimbursed baggage fees ?
Hi, I tried to look for any DP for this but didn't see anything explicitly mentioned in the thread. So my question is, if I purchase a refundable ticket, pre-pay for baggage fees separately to get the credit, and then after a while cancel the ticket. Does AmEx reverse the credit (if it's after a couple of month) ?
Just wondering if that is still an option or a no-go.
Just wondering if that is still an option or a no-go.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold - cheapass economy flyer!
Posts: 250
#5
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 95
I am also looking for a similar DP. Anyone can share a recent experience pls?
Edit: Award cancellation fee
Edit: Award cancellation fee
Last edited by zmicer88; Jan 2, 2020 at 11:47 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,862
#7
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: HH & IHG Gold; Marriott & AA Perpetual Platinum
Posts: 49,512
#8
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rockies
Programs: UA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy occasionally Bonvoyed Mostly
Posts: 432
#9
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 30
So it seems that going forward the easiest way to use this credit is the following:
1. Book a fully refundable round trip ticket months out in advance
2. Add an animal to the flights, triggering $125x2 in pet fees
3. Get $200 reimbursement
4. Cancel entire flight, getting back flight cost + $250 in pet fees in one lump sum
Is this correct?
1. Book a fully refundable round trip ticket months out in advance
2. Add an animal to the flights, triggering $125x2 in pet fees
3. Get $200 reimbursement
4. Cancel entire flight, getting back flight cost + $250 in pet fees in one lump sum
Is this correct?
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 1,401
This is so going to be RIP this year
#11
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Santa Fe
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 108
So it seems that going forward the easiest way to use this credit is the following:
1. Book a fully refundable round trip ticket months out in advance
2. Add an animal to the flights, triggering $125x2 in pet fees
3. Get $200 reimbursement
4. Cancel entire flight, getting back flight cost + $250 in pet fees in one lump sum
Is this correct?
1. Book a fully refundable round trip ticket months out in advance
2. Add an animal to the flights, triggering $125x2 in pet fees
3. Get $200 reimbursement
4. Cancel entire flight, getting back flight cost + $250 in pet fees in one lump sum
Is this correct?
#12
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 1
Can E+ on international flight trigger Amex reimbursement?
I purchased it at 1/1, and I only see code on the Amex dashboard is preferred seat upgrade.
I purchased it at 1/1, and I only see code on the Amex dashboard is preferred seat upgrade.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: HH Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 292
FYI: An actual upgrade in cabin shows up as Upgrade Charge with Premium Cabin in the extra data - this does not qualify for the credit.
But do let us know if it doesn't show up and/or Amex denies you.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 128
Award ticket fee's were working last year if I recall. I have one in since 1-Jan and waiting to see reimbursement.
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: EUG BKK
Programs: Zero Status Nexus
Posts: 432
Are award cancellation fees ($50 for UA Plat members) currently being reimbursed for 2020? Thanks!