Jan 6, 2020, 2:53 pm
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)
Mar 5, 2021, 1:34 pm
#1187
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 13
3/2 Purchased $100 on Amex Plat
3/4 Credit posted (updated on 3/5)
3/4 Credit posted (updated on 3/5)
Mar 5, 2021, 2:42 pm
#1188
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
3/1 purchased 100$ U
3/4 posted credit for 100$
3/4 posted credit for 100$
Mar 5, 2021, 3:09 pm
#1189
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 59
I think I might have jumped the gun. I made the selection to UA on my brand new Plat and checked the benefits tab to see that UA was indeed the selected airline before making a purchase. Purchased 2 x $100 on 02/22 and have yet to see the needle move or any credit post. Anyone in a similar situation where they purchased immediately after airline selection?
Mar 6, 2021, 8:16 am
#1192
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Mar 6, 2021, 3:26 pm
#1193
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Given a number of DP's of people counting on instant airline selection, I've added a caution to the Wiki. The exact cost of this mistake is unknown. But airline travel funds are certainly less valuable than USD, and may expire worthless. They make sense only in the context of being a bank-paid benefit.
Mar 6, 2021, 3:35 pm
#1194
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Mar 6, 2021, 3:45 pm
#1195
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,603
Travelbank purchase:
Mar 3 5X Points UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX $100.00
Mar 5 Credit AMEX AIRLINE FEE REIMBURSEMENT -$100.00
Mar 3 5X Points UNITED AIRLINES HOUSTON TX $100.00
Mar 5 Credit AMEX AIRLINE FEE REIMBURSEMENT -$100.00
Mar 6, 2021, 7:30 pm
#1196
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Many
Posts: 335
Identical dates here. It is working
Mar 6, 2021, 7:48 pm
#1197
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
What did you say the purchase was for? I'm assuming you did not say travel bank because that isn't a qualifying charge for the credit.
Mar 7, 2021, 11:34 am
#1198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,042
I just tried purchasing using travelbank not realizing things had changed, but I notice it coded as a Special Service Ticket which is the same as it was in december when I used last years. It has only posted in the last day so I haven't seen a credit yet but it seems promising.
Mar 7, 2021, 11:48 am
#1199
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Mar 7, 2021, 12:32 pm
#1200
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Exactly. Travel bank purchases are receiving automatic credits even though they officially don't qualify, which is great. That's why I'm wondering what one might say when requesting manual credit.
I've requested manual credit in the past for other legitimate airline charges that didn't auto credit. For example, Alaska ticket change fee or seat selection fee. I was asked what the charge was for and I responded accordingly and was granted credit.
If one is requesting manual credit for a UA travel bank charge that didn't automatically receive the credit, then I wonder what they responded when asked what the credit is for.
I've requested manual credit in the past for other legitimate airline charges that didn't auto credit. For example, Alaska ticket change fee or seat selection fee. I was asked what the charge was for and I responded accordingly and was granted credit.
If one is requesting manual credit for a UA travel bank charge that didn't automatically receive the credit, then I wonder what they responded when asked what the credit is for.
Last edited by friedablass; Mar 8, 2021 at 8:52 pm