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)
May 23, 2021, 7:48 pm
#1381
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
ffering a 10% bonus.
May 24, 2021, 2:49 am
#1382
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,470
* TB can only be used for payment when all segments are flown on UA metal.
* Confining travel to a single airline may result in higher fares and inconvenient routes.
* Bonus 10% funds expire rather quickly (3~4 months).
May 24, 2021, 2:56 am
#1383
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
When planning extensive travel on UA, make sure you don't overlook the following:
* TB can only be used for payment when all segments are flown on UA metal.
* Confining travel to a single airline may result in higher fares and inconvenient routes.
* Bonus 10% funds expire rather quickly (3~4 months).
* TB can only be used for payment when all segments are flown on UA metal.
* Confining travel to a single airline may result in higher fares and inconvenient routes.
* Bonus 10% funds expire rather quickly (3~4 months).
May 24, 2021, 8:48 am
#1384
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI,SFO,SJC,IAD,LAX,DCA
Programs: mvp75k, DL-0body
Posts: 310
Hi,
I need to cash-in $200 Amex credit, so from the Wiki, U-Travel bank still work for UA ticket as of now ?
TIA
I need to cash-in $200 Amex credit, so from the Wiki, U-Travel bank still work for UA ticket as of now ?
TIA
May 24, 2021, 8:57 am
#1385
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,207
May 24, 2021, 10:26 am
#1386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,783
May 25, 2021, 7:08 pm
#1387
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: United MileagePlus Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 52
Adding another datapoint, using the AMX Corporate Platinum:
Purchase two $100 United Travelbank credits, one right after the other (on a mobile device, if you care) on May 22nd.
Credit was posted for both purchases on May 24th.
Purchase two $100 United Travelbank credits, one right after the other (on a mobile device, if you care) on May 22nd.
Credit was posted for both purchases on May 24th.
May 26, 2021, 7:19 am
#1388
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: 15,001
Some of us do not spend very much. My old standby, year-end interest-free loans to the IRS, no longer works after moving back to the CNMI.
May 26, 2021, 3:33 pm
#1390
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
Does that 18 months of inaction apply for earning/redeeming UA miles or for adding/using Travel Bank funds ?
May 26, 2021, 3:47 pm
#1391
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,470
May 26, 2021, 3:55 pm
#1392
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 587
As far as this thread, Travel Bank T&C 26:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ravelbank.html
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ravelbank.html
May 26, 2021, 6:42 pm
#1393
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: 15,001
"Account Activity" shall be deemed to occur when a Member either (a) accrues TravelBank Cash in such Member's account in any manner recognized by TravelBank, including without limitation the use of a United credit card, or (b) obtains a TravelBank Award by the use of TravelBank Cash in the Member's account.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ravelbank.html
Using one's UA TravelBank funds every 18 months, or adding to them (even without the AmEx credit) does not seem like a high bar — especially when living on an island 13 miles long with UA the only practical way to leave.
However, I am open to other alternative suggestions to using this UA "target" to meet AmEx sign-up bonuses.
May 27, 2021, 8:23 am
#1394
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 9
Used both Amex Plat and Hilton Aspire and loaded 2x$100 & $250. The credit came one day after the charges were posted. Amazingly fast. Now I feel regretful not trying to search it up and letting my 2020 travel credit wasted.
May 27, 2021, 1:06 pm
#1395
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,817
The latter.
Travel Bank T&C 12,
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ravelbank.html
Using one's UA TravelBank funds every 18 months, or adding to them (even without the AmEx credit) does not seem like a high bar — especially when living on an island 13 miles long with UA the only practical way to leave.
However, I am open to other alternative suggestions to using this UA "target" to meet AmEx sign-up bonuses.
Travel Bank T&C 12,
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ravelbank.html
Using one's UA TravelBank funds every 18 months, or adding to them (even without the AmEx credit) does not seem like a high bar — especially when living on an island 13 miles long with UA the only practical way to leave.
However, I am open to other alternative suggestions to using this UA "target" to meet AmEx sign-up bonuses.
Of course, we don’t actually know if the TravelBank will remain “open” for additional purchases in the future. As far as I recall, it was closed for quite a while. And T&C can change. Is there anything that would prevent them from making the “use or lose” window smaller?
That said, because of your geographic location you may indeed not have any good options. I can (over-)pay state or federal income taxes by credit card (small fee). I also have a monthly health insurance bill that goes on credit cards without additional fee - $1400 in guaranteed spend. I can buy some Amazon, Uber, Doordash, Netflix and Starbucks credit. My grocery store lets me buy their own store gift cards, so I could prepay some future grocery purchases. There are also airline gift cards available at stores (Delta, SWA, maybe others). Costco recently sold $500 in AS gift card credit for 10% off. Some of those might be available to, especially if you are visiting places off your island.