Dec 3, 2020, 5:44 pm
Last edit by: Boraxo
United Travel Bank is an online account in which funds can be stored for future purchase of United or United express flights, as well as certain subscription products on United.com and the United mobile app. Other types of purchases (e.g. certain upgrades, inflight purchases) are not currently eligible. If you have an available Travel Bank balance and are making an eligible purchase, the option to use Travel Bank will appear at checkout. Travel Bank funds can be used in combination with another commercial payment method (i.e., not including FFCs or ETCs) in an amount of the users choosing. User-purchased funds expire 5 years after deposit; funds received through credit cards and other promotions may expire earlier. Purchases as need to be in USD $ and point of sale USA.
See TravelBank Terms and Conditions
History
The United Travel Bank has been around for many years. UA had a program where purchasing a ticket on united.com would receive a $5 Travel Bank bonus. This was called united.com Club and had an annual $25 subscription fee. This ended in early 2020. But funds are still accessible for 18 months after earning. Also at one time the Travel Bank had a Gift Registry pre-2018. For more on those prior Travel Bank Programs, see "TravelBank"- United.com Club & Gift Registry Q&A - No new/renewals as of 23 Apr 2019 Then for a period of time, Chase / UA offered a 1.5% cash-back Travel Bank credit card where the cash-back went into the Travel Bank, that ended Sept 2020 Chase United TravelBank Card becoming non-cashback Chase MP Gateway Card 21 Sept 2020
In July 2020, the Travel Bank was recasted as a cash pre-funding option that might have a short term bonus offering -- cash or miles or both.
Potential Uses
TravelBank purchases can be used to assist in meeting credit card spend requirements and accumulating points/miles (including on United co-branded cards). Additionally, TravelBank can be used for bank credit card travel reimbursement funds (e.g. AMEX). As of 2022, certain IHG credit cards provide users with a $50 deposit of TravelBank funds every six months for short-term use. New Chase IHG Credit Card Options
Q&A
What can I use Travel Bank funds for?
1. Although the rules state that Travel Bank may only be used for an all UA-operated itinerary, there is at least one report that an telephone agent applied the funds to a Star Alliance-operated flight: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/36829385-post376.html
2. Most United subscriptions (E+, baggage, wifi, etc.) -- reports this may not work
3. Not for in-flight purchases, post-purchase E+ access or upgrades
4. Cannot be used to pay just taxes on flights or other purchases, per the current T&Cs
5. But, T&Cs do mention "TravelBank Awards" as eligible purchases -- miles & cash co-payments???? Unclear what this is referring to
6. Including a Travel Bundle may block TB usage
Technical Limitations
- Sometimes the app is more reliable than the website. It may sometimes still fail to show as a payment option and you may need to use an phone/twitter/FB/... agent.
- There have been reports that the Travel Bank option may not appear if doing Advance Flight Searches with options selected such as upgrade availability. Also, may not show TB as a payment when coming from Google flight.
- For those with "Business Travel" option, when your account is linked to a UA corporate account, TravelBank may not be available. It does seems to be available for "Break from Business" usage
- TB may not show as an option when you want to purchase a ticket for a farelock reservation. It appears the only solution is to call UA and ask the agent to convert your travelbank funds to FFC and then use to purchase the ticket.
Do Travel Bank funds expire?
They could per T&Cs
- Older methods for funding -- united.com, travel bank card cash back .... have 18 month expiration from last deposit
- New cash funds have a 5 years expiration from deposit
- Bonus from cash deposit -- depends on promo T&Cs but recent terms have been 4 months
- Each $1 TravelBank Cash issued as Chase purchase bonus is valid through June 30, 2022
- CLEAR signup $100 TravelBank credits will be valid for 9 months (late Aug/early Sept 2021) after the credit is deposited into members accounts.
Where can I see my Travel Bank balance / expiration?
Look in your My Account section and click on Details. https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank
Funds have to be used / trip booked by expiration. Travel can be after expiration
Where can I add funds?
https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash or https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank
Do I get PQP credit for flight purchases with Travel Bank funds?
Yes, UA treats the Travel Bank funds just like a cash purchase
What if I refund a ticket purchased with Travel Bank funds?
When cancelling within 24 hours, the funds go back to original form of purchase, so the Travel Bank portion of the funds go back to the Travel Bank. (most likely with original expiration date and not a new date). FFCs will be issued for non-refundable tickets cancelled more than 24 hours after purchase.
For a refundable ticket purchased with Travel Bank or any ticket refunded in 24 hours of original purchase, funds should go back to Travel Bank, even when cancelled more than 24 hours after purchase. However, changing to a cheaper fare will result in the fare difference not crediting back to Travel Bank. Instead, cancel the ticket and rebook. Note return of TB refunds can takes multiple days or even up to 2 weeks. TB fund use may not be a good idea if a refundable cancellation is a high probability,
Can you use Travel Bank funds in conjunction with a Credit Card and/or ETCs?
Yes, you can select to pay in whole or in part with Travel Bank funds and then the remainder, if any, with the other forms of payment. There have been mixed reports about ETCs -- YMMV
Can you "deposit" your ETCs (or FFCs) into your Travel Bank?
No
Can I use the Travel Bank funds to purchase a ticket to someone else?
Yes but you have to be the purchaser
Can I transfer Travel Bank funds to someone else?
No
Can I cash out my Travel Bank funds?
No
What merchant category is Travel Bank?
It's treated as an airline purchase. American Express posts it as a ticketing fee while pending and then changes to just United Airlines.
Why does Travel Bank state "This offer has ended?"
This message appears during website maintenance.
Does Travel Bank count as a reimbursable incidental with American Express?
This topic is discussed in a separate thread. Do not contact Amex.
Does Travel Bank count as a reimbursable incidental for other credit cards? Post your experiences
Yes, for BoA cards
Archive: UA "TravelBank" Q&A {Archive}
See TravelBank Terms and Conditions
History
The United Travel Bank has been around for many years. UA had a program where purchasing a ticket on united.com would receive a $5 Travel Bank bonus. This was called united.com Club and had an annual $25 subscription fee. This ended in early 2020. But funds are still accessible for 18 months after earning. Also at one time the Travel Bank had a Gift Registry pre-2018. For more on those prior Travel Bank Programs, see "TravelBank"- United.com Club & Gift Registry Q&A - No new/renewals as of 23 Apr 2019 Then for a period of time, Chase / UA offered a 1.5% cash-back Travel Bank credit card where the cash-back went into the Travel Bank, that ended Sept 2020 Chase United TravelBank Card becoming non-cashback Chase MP Gateway Card 21 Sept 2020
In July 2020, the Travel Bank was recasted as a cash pre-funding option that might have a short term bonus offering -- cash or miles or both.
Potential Uses
TravelBank purchases can be used to assist in meeting credit card spend requirements and accumulating points/miles (including on United co-branded cards). Additionally, TravelBank can be used for bank credit card travel reimbursement funds (e.g. AMEX). As of 2022, certain IHG credit cards provide users with a $50 deposit of TravelBank funds every six months for short-term use. New Chase IHG Credit Card Options
Q&A
What can I use Travel Bank funds for?
1. Although the rules state that Travel Bank may only be used for an all UA-operated itinerary, there is at least one report that an telephone agent applied the funds to a Star Alliance-operated flight: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/36829385-post376.html
2. Most United subscriptions (E+, baggage, wifi, etc.) -- reports this may not work
3. Not for in-flight purchases, post-purchase E+ access or upgrades
4. Cannot be used to pay just taxes on flights or other purchases, per the current T&Cs
5. But, T&Cs do mention "TravelBank Awards" as eligible purchases -- miles & cash co-payments???? Unclear what this is referring to
6. Including a Travel Bundle may block TB usage
Technical Limitations
- Sometimes the app is more reliable than the website. It may sometimes still fail to show as a payment option and you may need to use an phone/twitter/FB/... agent.
- There have been reports that the Travel Bank option may not appear if doing Advance Flight Searches with options selected such as upgrade availability. Also, may not show TB as a payment when coming from Google flight.
- For those with "Business Travel" option, when your account is linked to a UA corporate account, TravelBank may not be available. It does seems to be available for "Break from Business" usage
- TB may not show as an option when you want to purchase a ticket for a farelock reservation. It appears the only solution is to call UA and ask the agent to convert your travelbank funds to FFC and then use to purchase the ticket.
Do Travel Bank funds expire?
They could per T&Cs
- Older methods for funding -- united.com, travel bank card cash back .... have 18 month expiration from last deposit
- New cash funds have a 5 years expiration from deposit
- Bonus from cash deposit -- depends on promo T&Cs but recent terms have been 4 months
- Each $1 TravelBank Cash issued as Chase purchase bonus is valid through June 30, 2022
- CLEAR signup $100 TravelBank credits will be valid for 9 months (late Aug/early Sept 2021) after the credit is deposited into members accounts.
Where can I see my Travel Bank balance / expiration?
Look in your My Account section and click on Details. https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank
Funds have to be used / trip booked by expiration. Travel can be after expiration
Where can I add funds?
https://www.united.com/offers/travelcash or https://www.united.com/en/US/account/travelbank
Members can choose from six purchase amount options and once purchased the value remains valid for five years from the date it is deposited in your TravelBank account. Purchases are not refundable and are limited to $5,000 per day per MileagePlus account. This purchase is also subject to all of the TravelBank terms and conditions.
Yes, UA treats the Travel Bank funds just like a cash purchase
What if I refund a ticket purchased with Travel Bank funds?
When cancelling within 24 hours, the funds go back to original form of purchase, so the Travel Bank portion of the funds go back to the Travel Bank. (most likely with original expiration date and not a new date). FFCs will be issued for non-refundable tickets cancelled more than 24 hours after purchase.
For a refundable ticket purchased with Travel Bank or any ticket refunded in 24 hours of original purchase, funds should go back to Travel Bank, even when cancelled more than 24 hours after purchase. However, changing to a cheaper fare will result in the fare difference not crediting back to Travel Bank. Instead, cancel the ticket and rebook. Note return of TB refunds can takes multiple days or even up to 2 weeks. TB fund use may not be a good idea if a refundable cancellation is a high probability,
Can you use Travel Bank funds in conjunction with a Credit Card and/or ETCs?
Yes, you can select to pay in whole or in part with Travel Bank funds and then the remainder, if any, with the other forms of payment. There have been mixed reports about ETCs -- YMMV
Can you "deposit" your ETCs (or FFCs) into your Travel Bank?
No
Can I use the Travel Bank funds to purchase a ticket to someone else?
Yes but you have to be the purchaser
Can I transfer Travel Bank funds to someone else?
No
Can I cash out my Travel Bank funds?
No
What merchant category is Travel Bank?
It's treated as an airline purchase. American Express posts it as a ticketing fee while pending and then changes to just United Airlines.
Why does Travel Bank state "This offer has ended?"
This message appears during website maintenance.
Does Travel Bank count as a reimbursable incidental with American Express?
This topic is discussed in a separate thread. Do not contact Amex.
Does Travel Bank count as a reimbursable incidental for other credit cards? Post your experiences
Yes, for BoA cards
Archive: UA "TravelBank" Q&A {Archive}
UA "TravelBank" Q&A , with option to deposit funds
Mar 9, 2022 | 6:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 1
Here's my data point:
Using the app, was able to book a United Express itinerary with TB that involved Skywest Airlines dba United Express. TB option did not appear on a UE itinerary that involved Air Wisconsin. Same dates, cities, passenger, etc. Only difference was which subsidiary was doing the flying.
Using the app, was able to book a United Express itinerary with TB that involved Skywest Airlines dba United Express. TB option did not appear on a UE itinerary that involved Air Wisconsin. Same dates, cities, passenger, etc. Only difference was which subsidiary was doing the flying.
Mar 15, 2022 | 8:34 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 6,522
Here's my data point:
Using the app, was able to book a United Express itinerary with TB that involved Skywest Airlines dba United Express. TB option did not appear on a UE itinerary that involved Air Wisconsin. Same dates, cities, passenger, etc. Only difference was which subsidiary was doing the flying.
Using the app, was able to book a United Express itinerary with TB that involved Skywest Airlines dba United Express. TB option did not appear on a UE itinerary that involved Air Wisconsin. Same dates, cities, passenger, etc. Only difference was which subsidiary was doing the flying.
Mar 16, 2022 | 4:32 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver
Posts: 3,358
I can't access my Travel Bank funds to pay: period. I cannot see a Travel Bank button (panel) when I go to check out.
I have read through this thread assiduously and noted all of the things that make a ticket ineligible for Travel Bank. I tried to eliminate all of them from the ticket I was trying to purchase. That did not work. I tried two different laptops, one using Firefox, one using Chrome. That did not work. I do not use the app, but I got my son, who does, to go in "as me" and try to book. The Travel Bank option never showed up. (By the way, I was always logged into my account, and Travel Bank funds were visible on-line in the same sessions when I was trying to book.) After innumerable delays and dropped calls, I got someone at United to transfer me to web support. They went through everything with me to make sure that I was clicking as appropriate and not clicking as not appropriate. They were in the middle of taking it under advisement when that call eventually terminated.
Before calling again for a flight I want, I decided to reverse engineer and book as "vanilla" a flight as possible -- a simple round-trip in Economy from EWR to ORD and return. Surely that would be on UA metal. I did not opt for any bundles or anything else. I did choose seats, but not seats that required payment. (I also tried without choosing seats.) Same issue. I get to the place where they say that the Payment Options are being changed, and click on the link to go to the other alternatives, but the panel for Travel Certificates does not say Travel Certificates and Travel Bank, as I have seen in the screenshots of others.
So I'm reduced to thinking that is either/or (a) something "special" about me; (b) a browser issue I have still not fixed.
Experiences of others welcome. TIA.
I have read through this thread assiduously and noted all of the things that make a ticket ineligible for Travel Bank. I tried to eliminate all of them from the ticket I was trying to purchase. That did not work. I tried two different laptops, one using Firefox, one using Chrome. That did not work. I do not use the app, but I got my son, who does, to go in "as me" and try to book. The Travel Bank option never showed up. (By the way, I was always logged into my account, and Travel Bank funds were visible on-line in the same sessions when I was trying to book.) After innumerable delays and dropped calls, I got someone at United to transfer me to web support. They went through everything with me to make sure that I was clicking as appropriate and not clicking as not appropriate. They were in the middle of taking it under advisement when that call eventually terminated.
Before calling again for a flight I want, I decided to reverse engineer and book as "vanilla" a flight as possible -- a simple round-trip in Economy from EWR to ORD and return. Surely that would be on UA metal. I did not opt for any bundles or anything else. I did choose seats, but not seats that required payment. (I also tried without choosing seats.) Same issue. I get to the place where they say that the Payment Options are being changed, and click on the link to go to the other alternatives, but the panel for Travel Certificates does not say Travel Certificates and Travel Bank, as I have seen in the screenshots of others.
So I'm reduced to thinking that is either/or (a) something "special" about me; (b) a browser issue I have still not fixed.
Experiences of others welcome. TIA.
Sheesh. Just hope it works next time I actually want to buy a ticket!
Mar 17, 2022 | 7:47 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Glob, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, National EE, Hertz PC, Marriott Gold
Posts: 49
Same problem. Air Wisconsin flights Travel Bank would not show up as option in app or on website. Showed up just fine for Transstates or GoJet. Unfortunately, Air Wisconsin was the only carrier on my route, so I had to book something else and change to the flights I wanted.
Mar 21, 2022 | 1:15 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,680
Travel Bank is going to expire - any alternate ways of using it?
I have $80.00 I'm my Travel Bank from a Chase Explorer promotion. It is going to expire on 30-Jun-22. Our next flight isn't until 18-Jul-22 and I don't plan on even booking one until much later this year.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Mar 21, 2022 | 8:12 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 16,170
I have $80.00 I'm my Travel Bank from a Chase Explorer promotion. It is going to expire on 30-Jun-22. Our next flight isn't until 18-Jul-22 and I don't plan on even booking one until much later this year.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Mar 21, 2022 | 10:04 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, National Exec
Posts: 71
I tried last night to purchase a ticket with TravelBank funds with following results...
1. Chrome on MacOS, using only TravelBank. When I clicked submit to pay it sat there spinning for 10 minutes so I gave up.
2. Tried again using Chrome on a Chromebook. Same results, just sat there spinning.
3. Tried with Chrome on Windows 10. Same result - more spinning.
4. Switched to Safari on MacOS. I also split the payment between TravelBank and a credit card. It went through immediately.
As a network engineer I should know better to change two variables at once. Now I don't know if it was the change in browser (Chrome vs Safari) or the change in payment type (100% TravelBank vs splitting TravelBank/CC) that fixed it for me. I need to buy another ticket today so will play around with it some more.
1. Chrome on MacOS, using only TravelBank. When I clicked submit to pay it sat there spinning for 10 minutes so I gave up.
2. Tried again using Chrome on a Chromebook. Same results, just sat there spinning.
3. Tried with Chrome on Windows 10. Same result - more spinning.
4. Switched to Safari on MacOS. I also split the payment between TravelBank and a credit card. It went through immediately.
As a network engineer I should know better to change two variables at once. Now I don't know if it was the change in browser (Chrome vs Safari) or the change in payment type (100% TravelBank vs splitting TravelBank/CC) that fixed it for me. I need to buy another ticket today so will play around with it some more.
Mar 21, 2022 | 9:26 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,680
not really - going to be for tickets (and ancillaries, with tickets only) I think. You could consider buying a non-refundable fare to any destination, then canceling after 24 hours (when you wont get a refund). The cancelation will give you an FFC, which will be valid for another year from date of issue.
Mar 22, 2022 | 6:16 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,363
I have $80.00 I'm my Travel Bank from a Chase Explorer promotion. It is going to expire on 30-Jun-22. Our next flight isn't until 18-Jul-22 and I don't plan on even booking one until much later this year.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Are there any alternate ways of spending this? I'd be ok buying a one-day UA club pass, or even donate it to a good cause.
Jan 4, 2023 | 8:00 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold 1.2MM (BIS), AA LT Plat (SUBs, BD/Bask), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 4,582
Datapoint: After many failures in the past couple of years, second recent successful use of TB funds to buy a ticket with promotional (Veterans Advantage) discount applied on full desktop PC website. First successful datapoint here. Saved ~$34/4.6% ($727 vs $693) domestic roundtrip this time.
Jan 5, 2023 | 5:40 am
#42
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 36
I'm sure that many of you know this, but I did not. It seems that TB funds cannot be used for Comfort+ seats. I had $1500 in TB and tried to book two C+ tickets that were $1288 with taxes. But booking system would only apply TB to cover the cost of the economy seat and taxes, not the amount stated for C+ (~$360). The t&c didn't seem to preclude using TB for C+, at least when purchasing the tickets and not as a later upgrade, and this was a UA flight. I called an agent, and they confirmed that TB cannot be used on C+ because that is considered a seat selection fee. So, lesson learned. I will stick with using TB for first class tickets in the future (I'm quite tall, so need the extra room), which TB fully covers.
Jan 5, 2023 | 7:14 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 574
Hi folks:
I have purchased a domestic flight in economy. And now want to take advantage of a buy up offer to First. But it seems I can't use Travel Bank funds for this. which is crazy. Anyone know of a way to use TB for paid upgrades?
I have purchased a domestic flight in economy. And now want to take advantage of a buy up offer to First. But it seems I can't use Travel Bank funds for this. which is crazy. Anyone know of a way to use TB for paid upgrades?
Jan 5, 2023 | 12:11 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: Most of 'em
Posts: 134
Asking for a friend :P : Has anyone had any luck fixing a travelbank screw up? Say if someone selected $1000 in the drop down instead of $100 and processed the charge? Has since got the run around between customer service, refunds, Mileage Plus and websupport?
Jan 5, 2023 | 12:13 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,640
r such purchases. You can't use TB funds for upgrades.