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)
#1306
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 1
AmEx Plat:
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
#1307
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
April 16, 2021
2x$100 with AMEX Platinum. Shows up as "United Electronic Ticketing" under pending transactions.
2x$100 with AMEX Platinum. Shows up as "United Electronic Ticketing" under pending transactions.
#1308
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
2x$100 AMEX Plat, 1x$100 AMEX Gold -- credited right away in early April 2021.
#1309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,053
AmEx Plat:
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
#1310
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,349
They obviously weren't following this thread to see that there was a period of a few weeks beginning mid-January when UA TB purchases weren't being refunded. OP probably made their purchase precisely during that time. They should not have chatted AND called to potentially ruin it for the rest of us....
#1311
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 28
AmEx Plat:
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
I did two $100 TB charges in Nov 2020, got credited back right away
I did two $100 TB charges in Jan 2021, no credits back
I tried chatting with support, they said that the Nov credits were a one time exception and I wouldn't be able to do it again.
I tried calling support and they were happy to credit my account back.
#1312
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,956
Moderator action
Please write about American Express products, policies and practices, not about each other. If you disapprove of a member's decision to contact American Express, focus on the action, and do not disparage the individual.
#1313
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
#1314
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: ORD (formerly ORD>SFO>AKL)
Programs: AA PPro, QF Gold, DL Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum
Posts: 363
Hilton Aspire:
- 4/12 - $250 charged for UA TB
- 4/14 - Reimbursed/Credited
#1315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
The credits posted as "AMEX Airline Fee Reimbursement". They were backdated to April 18, 2021. The meter moved.
#1316
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
4/15 $100 purchase on Gold card
4/18 reimbursement posts (no more meter)
Going to try to change Plat to UA now and deposit $200
4/18 reimbursement posts (no more meter)
Going to try to change Plat to UA now and deposit $200
#1317
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Topped up 2x $100 on 15th April.
Fully reimbursed on 19th April
This worked for vanilla plat, schwab plat and ameriprise plat
Fully reimbursed on 19th April
This worked for vanilla plat, schwab plat and ameriprise plat
#1318
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Calgary
Posts: 7
Any DP's of this working for a recently new Biz Plat? Mention of the airline credit isn't on the application page anymore, but it's still in the T&C's and the meter still shows up under the benefits page.
#1319
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 61
I'll let you know next week. I was able to select UA as my airline today and card arrives at the end of the week. I don't see any issues.
#1320
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA LTP, UA, DL, HH, Marriott/SPG
Posts: 585
Not sure if this is recent enough, but I got my card in January. I made the purchases in late February and the credits posted 3 days after the charges posted.