Last edit by: hurnik
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.)
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)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: L.A.
Posts: 17
Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2023)
Happy New Year folks! With my bill due date on 1/8 and statement closing 1/13, I've made my 2x $100 TB purchases along with my Saks online purchase. All 3 purchases are dated 1/1 when logging into AMEX.
I planned to close a couple of weeks ago when my AF hit on 12/14 but figured I would take a shot at using up the 2023 credits. If the credits don't post by 1/12, I will probably ask for a retention and if none is offered, close the card anyway.
I will update this thread if/when my TB charges get reimbursed.
Edit: just a small update. My Saks was enrolled & UA was already selected, but when I logged in after the purchases, my entire Benefits page is unenrolled. if I try to click Select Airline, nothing happens. I think it might be some sort of glitch. If it doesn't correct itself, I'll definitely be closing the card.
Edit 2: I logged in from my phone and it was asking me to select an airline. I chose United and received an email from AMEX with the confirmation. Didn't let me re-enroll in Saks. Very weird. Here's hoping it didn't mess anything up by re-selecting UA.
Edit 3: Logged out/in and everything was re-enrolled (including the Digital Entertainment credit). Repeated and everything was un-enrolled. Repeated again and everything stayed enrolled. Definitely glitching. I'll leave it alone for now and ride it out. Worst case I have 5 years to use the TB I purchased and I already had UA selected before the purchase, so I hope whatever reimbursement triggers were in place caught it
I planned to close a couple of weeks ago when my AF hit on 12/14 but figured I would take a shot at using up the 2023 credits. If the credits don't post by 1/12, I will probably ask for a retention and if none is offered, close the card anyway.
I will update this thread if/when my TB charges get reimbursed.
Edit: just a small update. My Saks was enrolled & UA was already selected, but when I logged in after the purchases, my entire Benefits page is unenrolled. if I try to click Select Airline, nothing happens. I think it might be some sort of glitch. If it doesn't correct itself, I'll definitely be closing the card.
Edit 2: I logged in from my phone and it was asking me to select an airline. I chose United and received an email from AMEX with the confirmation. Didn't let me re-enroll in Saks. Very weird. Here's hoping it didn't mess anything up by re-selecting UA.
Edit 3: Logged out/in and everything was re-enrolled (including the Digital Entertainment credit). Repeated and everything was un-enrolled. Repeated again and everything stayed enrolled. Definitely glitching. I'll leave it alone for now and ride it out. Worst case I have 5 years to use the TB I purchased and I already had UA selected before the purchase, so I hope whatever reimbursement triggers were in place caught it

Last edited by maustro; Jan 1, 23 at 3:28 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,760
I'll just keep posting here in lieu of a 2023 thread (assuming a moderator will move).
I'll be a guinea pig.
4x$100 (Personal + Biz Plat) via https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash
Pending charge shows as:
Will update/post again if/when/once credits show.
I'll be a guinea pig.
4x$100 (Personal + Biz Plat) via https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash
Pending charge shows as:
UNITED ELECTRONIC TICKETNG
HSCAC - 12TH
FLOOR 609 MAIN STREET
HOUSTON
TX
77002
HSCAC - 12TH
FLOOR 609 MAIN STREET
HOUSTON
TX
77002
#4
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 2
Be the change you wish to see! Longterm lurker, first time poster.
Charged 1 x $250 to travelbank on one of our Hilton Aspires. Will update this post in a few days!
Edit: Meter moved on Jan 6th!
Charged 1 x $250 to travelbank on one of our Hilton Aspires. Will update this post in a few days!
Edit: Meter moved on Jan 6th!
Last edited by lostintravis; Jan 7, 23 at 6:56 am Reason: updated with January 6th update.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: US
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 67
I've got one Platinum I'm cancelling on the 12th, so I'm in for $100x2 as well. Will update when I see a change.
Edit: Meter moved Jan 6th, Credit Posted Jan 7th
Edit: Meter moved Jan 6th, Credit Posted Jan 7th
Last edited by rayfoxii; Jan 15, 23 at 7:32 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 25
#9
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 25
Update: Pulled the trigger on UA TB 2 x $100 and Dell 2 x $100 Xbox GCs. We'll see.
Last edited by mpchurnchi; Jan 1, 23 at 11:15 am Reason: Update
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,122
Exact same situation here. Did ATT this morning, not sure whether to pull the trigger on Dell and UA TB, but likely will. AF due date is 1/13, so want to get credits and cancel before that.
Update: Pulled the trigger on UA TB 2 x $100 and Dell 2 x $100 Xbox GCs. We'll see.
Update: Pulled the trigger on UA TB 2 x $100 and Dell 2 x $100 Xbox GCs. We'll see.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: YYZ
Programs: AP 50k, UA Silver, MB Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 221
I purchased $250 (Aspire) + 4x$100 (2 x Pers Plat). In hindsight I probably should've waited to purchase for 2/3 of these cards as the only one with a tight deadline is one of the plat cards that I'm planning to downgrade. Oh well, going all in.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,231
Airline fee $250/$200 reimbursement reports: UA only (2023)
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