Jan 1, 2022, 11:44 am
Last edit by: rrgg
Your question is probably answered in this Wikipost
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline, then wait a day before making a reimbursable purchase. It can take a few days or a full week to be reimbursed.
Travel Bank: There'sa separate thread at this link for general discussion of Travel Bank. Travel Bank is available again Jan. 3, 2022 and posts as a Special Service Ticket reimbursed by Amex (but unofficially). May appear as United Electronic Ticketing or United Airlines Houston. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash If your transaction returns a Payment Failed error, try adding your American Express card to your United Airlines profile, and repeat the transaction using the stored card. DO NOT CALL Amex to ask about being credited for this.
On December 31, 2021 United suspended Travel Bank deposit transactions and posted a message "Offer has ended."
United does not sell gift cards.
As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
READ BELOW for EXPENSES WHICH MAY BE REIMBURSED
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:
A general discussion of Travel Bank is in a separate thread .
(2021 discussion of UA available at this link.)
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline, then wait a day before making a reimbursable purchase. It can take a few days or a full week to be reimbursed.
Travel Bank: There'sa separate thread at this link for general discussion of Travel Bank. Travel Bank is available again Jan. 3, 2022 and posts as a Special Service Ticket reimbursed by Amex (but unofficially). May appear as United Electronic Ticketing or United Airlines Houston. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash If your transaction returns a Payment Failed error, try adding your American Express card to your United Airlines profile, and repeat the transaction using the stored card. DO NOT CALL Amex to ask about being credited for this.
United does not sell gift cards.
As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
READ BELOW for EXPENSES WHICH MAY BE REIMBURSED
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.)
A general discussion of Travel Bank is in a separate thread .
(2021 discussion of UA available at this link.)
Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2022)
Jan 3, 2022, 12:13 pm
#136
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
I do not think that is noticeable for UA, but for travel bank specifically it may well be a seasonal spike
Jan 3, 2022, 12:15 pm
#137
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Apparently just a unfortunately timed year end maintenance. Multi-day outages are a thing of the past at most shops, but I guess not for UA TB 
In any case, a simple "down for annual maintenance" is infinitely more accurate than "Offer has expired". Lots of people with lost money on the table.
So.... the rumored "exciting new program" told to someone was just hot air then. Not surprising, UA CSRs and social media employees don't really know, but might try to enthusiastically put a positive spin on it.
In any case, a simple "down for annual maintenance" is infinitely more accurate than "Offer has expired". Lots of people with lost money on the table.So.... the rumored "exciting new program" told to someone was just hot air then. Not surprising, UA CSRs and social media employees don't really know, but might try to enthusiastically put a positive spin on it.
Jan 3, 2022, 12:19 pm
#138
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 220
Made few TB purchases, but holding off for more until they reimburse. Hoping, this sticks around at least until positive DP's
Jan 3, 2022, 12:26 pm
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Has anyone being able to change the AMEX airline choice online?
Would you wait until positive DPs of reimbursement are confirmed?
Would you wait until positive DPs of reimbursement are confirmed?
Last edited by nk15; Jan 3, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Jan 3, 2022, 12:33 pm
#140
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
used my Imac desktop....showing up as united electronic ticketing which is what it showed the last time I got the credit...so hopefully it will work
Jan 3, 2022, 12:34 pm
#141
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,680
But this is an industry where one airline saved 5 figures by cutting one olive from the first class salad, so the bean counters may notice, even if it's only a small blip in the total revenue. The question to ask is how much of that incoming revenue causes even more revenue to come in as people use it to book flights that they might have taken on competitor airlines?
Jan 3, 2022, 12:52 pm
#142
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
Jan 3, 2022, 1:08 pm
#143
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
I don't know if it is confirmed to work but I would assume it would since it is an airline. That said Citi has renewed the restaurant and grocery credit again this year so you could easily use this way again if that is your preference.
Jan 3, 2022, 1:20 pm
#144
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
If I had United picked as my airline last year, will it automatically roll over so I can purchase TB without selecting it as my airline again? Or do I need to repeat the process to select the airline, then wait, then buy TB?
Jan 3, 2022, 1:23 pm
#145
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 68
All automated? It appeared like it was going to work but then said it would be bringing on a representative to assist me further. Wish the box would just be there on the Benefits page so I could do it myself... since it is January and it's supposed to be the one month we can adjust it.
Jan 3, 2022, 1:29 pm
#146
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 63
You don't need to repeat the selection from last year. You can see the currently "Selected Airline" in the Benefits tab in your online account.
Jan 3, 2022, 1:32 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Jan 3, 2022, 1:51 pm
#148
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
Log in and goto "Explore Your Cards Rewards Program"
$200 Airline Fee Credit Selected Airline:United Airlines
Jan 3, 2022, 2:05 pm
#149
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: Whoever Has the Best Bonus
Posts: 5,183
Thanks for all the people who are submitting for reimbursement immediately. I currently have another airline selected and will wait for the first positive DPs of reimbursement before swapping over to UA!
Jan 3, 2022, 2:13 pm
#150
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,680
Personally if I didn't have UA selected, I wouldn't change yet. But since I had UA already selected and I will definitely fly UA this year, I figured it was zero risk to try it.