Last edit by: friedablass
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING PRIOR TO POSTING REGARDING UA TB:
Your question is probably answered in this Wikipost
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline; it is generally viewed as prudent to wait a day before making a reimbursable purchase. It usually takes 5-10 to be reimbursed.
Travel Bank: There's a separate thread at this link for general discussion of Travel Bank, including important limitations on its use. As of Jan 3, 2022, and with ongoing success in 2023 as reported below, Travel Bank posts as a Special Service Ticket reimbursed by Amex (but unofficially), or United Electronic Ticketing or United Airlines Houston. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank 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.
Gift Cards: United does not sell gift cards.
MileagePlus X App: As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
READ BELOW for OTHER 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 .
(2022 discussion of UA available at this link.)
Metadiscussion: WHEN to report missing airline fee reimbursements?
Your question is probably answered in this Wikipost
Reminder: you must enroll and select UA as your airline; it is generally viewed as prudent to wait a day before making a reimbursable purchase. It usually takes 5-10 to be reimbursed.
Travel Bank: There's a separate thread at this link for general discussion of Travel Bank, including important limitations on its use. As of Jan 3, 2022, and with ongoing success in 2023 as reported below, Travel Bank posts as a Special Service Ticket reimbursed by Amex (but unofficially), or United Electronic Ticketing or United Airlines Houston. Purchase here: https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank 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.
Gift Cards: United does not sell gift cards.
MileagePlus X App: As of December 2016 American Express no longer reimburses MPX transactions.
READ BELOW for OTHER 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 .
(2022 discussion of UA available at this link.)
Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2023)
#271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA ExPlat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,974
I didnt know they had any restrictions on UA fares. Was it a UA(X) operated flight? How much was the ticket? Saver fare?
#273
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,950
It was a UA flight. It was a cheapo fare like $95 one-way. No matter what I did, it would not allow me to use TravelBank. Once the saver fare went away (and double the price), the Travelbank option returned.
#274
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,973
#275
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 54
On the liquidation side of things, does anyone know if TB funds can be used to purchase a UA club lounge daypass?
#276
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,231
Based on my latest experience with redemption, I honestly doubt it - are you asking about purchasing a club lounge day pass at time of booking a flight? Or when you are actually at the lounge? Either way, I honestly doubt it...but I'd be curious to know if you get a positive DP
#277
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 6
AX Platinum
1/22/23: Purchased $100 TB x4 (two Platinum)
1/29/23: Meter moved
1/30/23: Credit $100 x4 posted on both cards, backdated to 1/26/23
AX Aspire
1/23/23: Purchased $250 TB x2 (two Aspire)
1/30/23: Meter moved
1/31/23: Credit $250 x2 posted on both cards, backdated to 1/29/23
All good!
1/22/23: Purchased $100 TB x4 (two Platinum)
1/29/23: Meter moved
1/30/23: Credit $100 x4 posted on both cards, backdated to 1/26/23
AX Aspire
1/23/23: Purchased $250 TB x2 (two Aspire)
1/30/23: Meter moved
1/31/23: Credit $250 x2 posted on both cards, backdated to 1/29/23
All good!
Last edited by aznx; Jan 30, 2023 at 5:21 pm Reason: Update
#279
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,950
This seems to be a technical problem, unrelated to the price of the ticket, and not a policy restriction. See another example for a much larger transaction: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34948484-post680.html
#280
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 84
Not sure why I'm the exception, but I had united selected and made on $100 Bus Plat TB purchase on 1/10. No credit yet.
#281
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,220
I thought so too . Many other transactions posted but not for one card. Until I saw that I changed that to AA last year for the 35% pay with points rebate- check if everything look ok on your end
#284
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 62
First time buying UA TB. Purchased $250 TB on 1/24. It was credited on 1/30.
#285
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ORD / MDW
Posts: 49
Another DP for y'all. 1/26 2x$100 TB purchase on Amex Biz Plat. Credits posted 2/1. All is well in the world.