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)
Apr 21, 2021, 6:27 pm
#1321
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Calgary
Posts: 7
Apr 23, 2021, 2:49 pm
#1322
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 5
Long story short: UA accidentally charged me 3 times for a single $100 United Travel Bank purchase and refunded me well after AMEX credited me for it. Now I still have an extra $50 airline credit from AMEX that was later refunded by UA.
Has this happened to anyone before? Should I contact AMEX about this so I can attempt to purchase another $50 on UTB and get the last portion of the credit correctly, or should I just ignore it and hope they don't claw it back? I was concerned that they may get suspicious about what I spent the charges on if I have them look into it.
Has this happened to anyone before? Should I contact AMEX about this so I can attempt to purchase another $50 on UTB and get the last portion of the credit correctly, or should I just ignore it and hope they don't claw it back? I was concerned that they may get suspicious about what I spent the charges on if I have them look into it.
Apr 23, 2021, 3:09 pm
#1323
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
No, that would be a terrible idea. Figure out what amount you were supposed to purchase, and ask UA to reverse unintended charges.
Apr 23, 2021, 3:34 pm
#1324
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 5
Thing is, I already went through the entire refund process which was a headache, and I was hoping AMEX would just take back $50 of the credit so then I could buy $50 more from UTB and get the last $50 credit without error. I figure if I buy $50 worth of UTB straight up at this point I could still get that $50 from an earlier charge clawed back... May just say screw it and be happy with whatever happens...
Apr 23, 2021, 3:53 pm
#1325
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Thing is, I already went through the entire refund process which was a headache, and I was hoping AMEX would just take back $50 of the credit so then I could buy $50 more from UTB and get the last $50 credit without error. I figure if I buy $50 worth of UTB straight up at this point I could still get that $50 from an earlier charge clawed back... May just say screw it and be happy with whatever happens...
Apr 23, 2021, 3:55 pm
#1326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
It's never good to play games with anyone that you want a long-term relationship with.
Apr 24, 2021, 8:39 am
#1327
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,675
Apr 24, 2021, 10:40 am
#1328
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
2x $100 purchased 4/21
Reimbursement posts 4/23
Reimbursement posts 4/23
Apr 24, 2021, 7:54 pm
#1329
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 94
2x $100 purchased 4/20 with reimbursement posting 4/24 but backdated to 4/23
Apr 25, 2021, 10:05 am
#1330
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,347
Thing is, I already went through the entire refund process which was a headache, and I was hoping AMEX would just take back $50 of the credit so then I could buy $50 more from UTB and get the last $50 credit without error. I figure if I buy $50 worth of UTB straight up at this point I could still get that $50 from an earlier charge clawed back... May just say screw it and be happy with whatever happens...
Apr 25, 2021, 12:58 pm
#1331
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 41
Has anyone been successful in purchasing on two different Am Express cards and receiving credit?
Last edited by bug.db; Apr 25, 2021 at 1:18 pm
Apr 25, 2021, 1:46 pm
#1332
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Apr 26, 2021, 12:34 pm
#1333
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 7
Purchased 1x$100 on vanilla plat on 4/23, posted 4/26 but backdated to 4/25.
Transaction changed from ticketing to United Houston TX.
Transaction changed from ticketing to United Houston TX.
Apr 26, 2021, 1:30 pm
#1334
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 61
Approved Biz Plat 04/21, I was able to enroll in Dell benefit & select UA as airline benefit, received card 04/23. Bought 2x$100 UA TB. 04/26 $200 credit posted.
Apr 28, 2021, 10:29 am
#1335
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: middle of nowhere, formerly TYO/EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 213
Travelbank purchases worked for me on personal platinum! $100 x 2
Very happy this credit is finally useful for something... I had/have a constant supply of United Club one-time passes I never used and kept offering to my family members/friends to no avail even pre-covid :P
Very happy this credit is finally useful for something... I had/have a constant supply of United Club one-time passes I never used and kept offering to my family members/friends to no avail even pre-covid :P