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MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles [ARCHIVE]

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Old Jan 27, 2024, 11:28 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles

NEW as of 11/9/18:
App now includes MP Dining and MP Shopping in addition to eGift cards.

Dining: Once you log in and enable location sharing the app will tell you what MP Dining restaurant options are in your area. The app appears to know if you are a base or VIP dining member, and shows the appropriate earn rate you can expect (3 for base member or 5 miles per $ for VIP). Restaurants show in an incomplete "Nearby" list or are further visible under the "Cuisine Types" tab.

Shopping: You can browse the same list of stores you'd find on the main MileagePlus shopping website. There are tabs to show which stores are offering elevated offers as well as another with a searchable list of all stores who participated in the program. Tapping on the store will give you the option take you to that store's site so you can shop in your device's browser just as you would on a laptop or desktop.

Maximizing this app opp:
As per the app, you can double or triple dip. You get the UA miles from the app (+25% bonus if the app is attached to a MP acct), you get the miles (or CB, or whatever the deal is with your CC) from the CC attached to the app (via .bomb), and if you use the GC that is generated by the App and apply it online to a purchase via the MP shopping portal, you get the UA miles for that as well.
Ex: Buy $50 Staples MP-X credit with the app and get:
A. 2x on the app at Staples=100 UA (if you have a MP CC attached to the app, you get 25% more = 125 UA), PLUS
B. 2% CB with your BA+ card for example = $1 CB (but then no extra 25% bonus shown in A., above), PLUS
C. 1x on MP portal = 50 UA


Total would be 150 UA + $1CB in the example above (a UA double dip, e.g. A and C, but a non-UA dip added).

More scenarios:
-If you used a 1x UA MP card in the above example, it would be 125 UA+50 UA+50 UA=225 UA (a UA triple dip, e.g. A, B, and C).

-If you used a 5x INK card in the above example, it would be 100UA+*MAYBE 250UR+50UA = 150U+*MAYBE 250UR (a UA double dip, e.g. A and C, but a non-UA dip added and IMHO the best value: effectively 8x! *assuming the INK codes correctly as office supplies**).

**This is probably not the case, see post 513- no triple dipping

Conversions
Some MPX merchants allow for the purchase of a gift card with a gift card. This may allow you to use MPX to indirectly purchase a gift card to shop at a merchant otherwise not offered on MPX. As always, YMMV as you may encounter some merchants that may not allow this practice, rogue cashiers/managers who think it might not be allowed, or POS systems that are designed to not allow this (understandable as they make little to no money on the sale).

These merchants *may* include:

Best Buy - Does not allow purchase of Visa/Amex/MC gift cards, other merchant GCs OK.
GameStop
Sears

MPX Merchants that sell other merchants' GCs, but do not allow the purchase of GC with GC (MPX or otherwise):

Staples - Not allowed per policy, but may go through on their POS if cashier ignores prompt.
Barnes and Noble - No official policy - cashiers are trained that it's not allowed although it will go through on their POS
Office Depot
Lowes
eBay

Note: There appears to be a $3000.00 per 24 hours spend limit

MPX only works within the US - as per T&Cs! If you try to use the app outside the US, error code 126 will pop up.

Your MPX account name and password are the same as the united.com / MP account name and password. And your mile earned are locked to that MP account.
If using MPX to get a few miles to prevent mileage expiration, you need to be logged in as that account whose miles are approaching expiration.

In your account info is "Member since " date

customer service email address, [email protected]

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Old Dec 7, 2017, 10:21 am
  #1186  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
I tried to buy an Amazon GC minutes ago, but failed.

Android app on a phone with a US SIM, but roaming abroad, location/GPS off. (Normally works)

Then tried with a VPN to a US IP - failed twice using 2 different PoP.

Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Dec 7, 2017 at 10:22 am Reason: clarity
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Old Dec 8, 2017, 7:22 pm
  #1187  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Is Amex Plat Personal still coding as 5x?
Amex recognize mileageplus X as airline charge?
twkidM3 is offline  
Old Dec 8, 2017, 8:36 pm
  #1188  
t1c
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
Originally Posted by twkidM3
Is Amex Plat Personal still coding as 5x?
Amex recognize mileageplus X as airline charge?
Yes.
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Old Dec 8, 2017, 9:32 pm
  #1189  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Originally Posted by penner42
If you get an error trying to buy cards, you must wait two weeks. Do not try to buy cards for that period. Every time you try and get the error, it resets the clock. It's dumb. They call it a "security measure." But that's how it works.
That's news for me to try, though I think it had been months since my previous try since I last attempted to use the app. I''ll give it another two weeks, however I'm almost positive I've given it two weeks in between (not purposely) to no avail.

I was really disappointed when I couldn't even buy a GC from the online e-giftcard site as I figured the issue was strictly app related. When the website came back with the same error as the app, it really doesn't leave me with any feeling of credibility as to the company running the MileageX program. This has been a known issue for months and nothing seems to being done about it.
UVU Wolverine is offline  
Old Dec 9, 2017, 5:11 pm
  #1190  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,290
Yeah, this thing isn't reliable enough to use regularly. Even when it is working, it is kind of annoying to have to buy a GC when there is a long line of people behind you at Panera or Gap. I recently got a new phone and didn't bother reinstalling it. Gonna focus on MP Dining which requires no effort and seems to at least provide rewards for shopping at some local businesses. The only thing I will miss from MPX is seeing the date of my Mileage Plus account (Apr 1989).
Say Vandelay is offline  
Old Dec 10, 2017, 8:52 am
  #1191  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
Originally Posted by Say Vandelay
The only thing I will miss from MPX is seeing the date of my Mileage Plus account (Apr 1989).
That was nice, but mine turned blank after one of the updates a while back and uninstallaing & reinstalling didn't bring it back.
rustykettel is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 6:32 pm
  #1192  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 243
anyone know how long the Lowe's 5 miles per dollar promo is going on for?
be001 is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 9:13 pm
  #1193  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
Originally Posted by Say Vandelay
Yeah, this thing isn't reliable enough to use regularly. Even when it is working, it is kind of annoying to have to buy a GC when there is a long line of people behind you at Panera or Gap. I recently got a new phone and didn't bother reinstalling it. Gonna focus on MP Dining which requires no effort and seems to at least provide rewards for shopping at some local businesses. The only thing I will miss from MPX is seeing the date of my Mileage Plus account (Apr 1989).
At Panera you can use self-ordering "ipad" stations, so no line to deal with.
br2k is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 6:00 am
  #1194  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Funny question. I've been using MPX for gift card purchases the last 6 months or so and absolutely love it. I actually want to get someone else a gift card for Christmas (specifically American Eagle), any suggestions as to how to use the app to buy the gift card and get a physical gift card?
hi55us is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 7:21 am
  #1195  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Originally Posted by hi55us
Funny question. I've been using MPX for gift card purchases the last 6 months or so and absolutely love it. I actually want to get someone else a gift card for Christmas (specifically American Eagle), any suggestions as to how to use the app to buy the gift card and get a physical gift card?
I don't think you can, but can you screenshot the card and give it to them (I've done that before) ? Or screenshot, email to yourself, and print?

Also friendly reminder people, if you're doing holiday shopping,make sure you are taking advantage of being able to double dip by using the MP shopping portal and paying with a bought MPX giftcard - get all those extra miles you can!
BThumme is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 9:22 am
  #1196  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by hi55us
Funny question. I've been using MPX for gift card purchases the last 6 months or so and absolutely love it. I actually want to get someone else a gift card for Christmas (specifically American Eagle), any suggestions as to how to use the app to buy the gift card and get a physical gift card?
I don't know how to do physical gift cards but there is a link (new user so I cannot post URL's) if you google Mileageplus gift cards that allows you to email gift cards and get all of the points and bonus miles you would with the app.
Tatoosh is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 1:49 pm
  #1197  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Originally Posted by Tatoosh
I don't know how to do physical gift cards but there is a link (new user so I cannot post URL's) if you google Mileageplus gift cards that allows you to email gift cards and get all of the points and bonus miles you would with the app.
Yeah the problem is the gift card would be for a church charity drive and would have to turn in a physical gift card. Too bad you can't buy the e gift card and then walk in store to get the actual card.
hi55us is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 3:11 pm
  #1198  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by hi55us
Yeah the problem is the gift card would be for a church charity drive and would have to turn in a physical gift card. Too bad you can't buy the e gift card and then walk in store to get the actual card.
I forgot during my first reply but my wife bought two $25 Walmart gift cards (physical) yesterday while using the app at Walmart. Might not be doable with every vendor on the app, but you can do it in some instances. Too bad Walmart has such a low redemption (0.5 miles per).
Tatoosh is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2017, 3:24 pm
  #1199  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
Originally Posted by Tatoosh
I don't know how to do physical gift cards but there is a link (new user so I cannot post URL's) if you google Mileageplus gift cards that allows you to email gift cards and get all of the points and bonus miles you would with the app.
I've done this a number of times to give cards as gifts. It emails a gift card to the recipient that doesn't require the app to use. It's pretty slick, actually. You just open the gift card on the app and press "share" at the bottom of the screen.

Last edited by BBSHOPSINGER; Dec 15, 2017 at 3:26 pm Reason: Added information
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Old Dec 15, 2017, 9:19 pm
  #1200  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
I turned e-gift cards into physical cards by printing out the card number and pin on a nice postcard (appropriate to the occasion). Looks good and quite practical.
br2k is offline  


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