Jan 27, 2024, 11:28 pm
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]
Archived posts - MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles [ARCHIVE]
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]
Archived posts - MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles [ARCHIVE]
MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles [ARCHIVE]
May 1, 2015, 10:26 pm
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,078
MPX transactions show up as charges to the merchant in question. If you buy, say, a pizza at Papa John's via MPX using, say, your MileagePlus Explorer credit card, the charge will be a purchase from Papa John's, not from United.
You'll get...
Six award miles per dollar is tough to beat and the sky's the limit on earnings.
Using a United Club card (instead of a Explorer Card) would yield an additional ½ mile, thus 6½ award miles.
Using a Chase Freedom card (Apr-Jun 2015) would forego the 25% bonus and the 1 or 1½ MileagePlus card bonus, but would add 5 Chase Ultimate Reward points (which are 1:1 convertible into United award miles). This would total 9 award miles per dollar. But its earnings are limited.
You'll get...
- 4 award miles per dollar from MPX (miles will post instantly)
- 1 award mile (25%) as a bonus for using a MileagePlus card to make a purchase via MPX. (miles will post instantly)
- 1 award mile per dollar from MileagePlus on general purchases. (miles will post when your statement closes)
Six award miles per dollar is tough to beat and the sky's the limit on earnings.
Using a United Club card (instead of a Explorer Card) would yield an additional ½ mile, thus 6½ award miles.
Using a Chase Freedom card (Apr-Jun 2015) would forego the 25% bonus and the 1 or 1½ MileagePlus card bonus, but would add 5 Chase Ultimate Reward points (which are 1:1 convertible into United award miles). This would total 9 award miles per dollar. But its earnings are limited.
May 2, 2015, 7:00 am
#257
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
One aberrant brushstroke in my Sistine Chapel ceiling of an explanation.
May 2, 2015, 8:26 am
#258
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,041
A small update: did a triple-dip on Staples and was successful (so earned 2.5x on the gift card purchase, 1x for PP card purchase, and 5x on actual purchases made via MP Shopping website). I am still waiting for the Sephora purchase I did for my wife to clear...I got 5x for the gift card + 1x for PP card purchase, but still waiting for the 4x from MP Shopping to clear. I emailed and they said it might be taking longer than usual, but it's been over a month now...so getting a bit antsy. I already provided them with all the order info, though, so hopefully comes through quickly.
I wish they'd get more vendors on. I'd have a field day if they could get GNC on MPX...
I wish they'd get more vendors on. I'd have a field day if they could get GNC on MPX...
May 2, 2015, 9:04 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,078
A small update: did a triple-dip on Staples and was successful (so earned 2.5x on the gift card purchase, 1x for PP card purchase, and 5x on actual purchases made via MP Shopping website). I am still waiting for the Sephora purchase I did for my wife to clear...I got 5x for the gift card + 1x for PP card purchase, but still waiting for the 4x from MP Shopping to clear. I emailed and they said it might be taking longer than usual, but it's been over a month now...so getting a bit antsy. I already provided them with all the order info, though, so hopefully comes through quickly.
I wish they'd get more vendors on. I'd have a field day if they could get GNC on MPX...
I wish they'd get more vendors on. I'd have a field day if they could get GNC on MPX...
How did you get that to work?
May 2, 2015, 9:06 am
#260
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,078
May 2, 2015, 2:51 pm
#261
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,665
My AmEx is still showing all of the charges as United (airline) and not the actual merchant. I've since added other cards and switched to them for category bonuses (if I remember, now that I mention it, I charged a restaurant purchase to the AmEx and not the Discover oops!) to double dip.
May 2, 2015, 3:50 pm
#262
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,041
I should note that I found the Staples website immensely easier to deal with at checkout when I signed up for an account. Before that, it seemed like the only option was to ship stuff to a nearby store and pick it up from there. You'll get the usual spam mail, but probably worth alleviating the headache (and worth it for the ~9 miles per $1!).
May 2, 2015, 5:15 pm
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,078
When I get to the 'Begin Checkout' window, there are checkboxes on the right that allow you to select 'Staples Gift Card' as a payment method - that's all I did.
I should note that I found the Staples website immensely easier to deal with at checkout when I signed up for an account. Before that, it seemed like the only option was to ship stuff to a nearby store and pick it up from there. You'll get the usual spam mail, but probably worth alleviating the headache (and worth it for the ~9 miles per $1!).
I should note that I found the Staples website immensely easier to deal with at checkout when I signed up for an account. Before that, it seemed like the only option was to ship stuff to a nearby store and pick it up from there. You'll get the usual spam mail, but probably worth alleviating the headache (and worth it for the ~9 miles per $1!).
Agreed that having an account makes this a lot easier.
May 5, 2015, 12:32 am
#264
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SLC
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium + LT Gold
Posts: 198
Not sure if this was mentioned before, but apparently the app gives you the 25% bonus just for having a Chase MP card on file. Even if you don't use it to pay. Last week I bought something with the app and paid for the transaction with my Citi AA card. My MP Explorer card was on file and even though I didn't use it, I was still given the regular multiple miles AND the 25% Chase card bonus. Yay for bonuses!
Last edited by festriaqua; May 5, 2015 at 12:37 am
May 5, 2015, 4:01 am
#265
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Drammen, Norway
Programs: SAS Eurobonus Diamond, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 298
This seems to be only for US members? At least the app is not available in the Norwegian app store!
May 5, 2015, 4:38 am
#266
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,041
Trying to see if I can get a 3rd triple dip to go through...bought Foot Locker gift card (4x + 1x bonus for using MP card, plus 1x base spend rate for PP) and used MP Shopping (2x). If all works out, should net nearly 1,000 points for a pair of new running sneakers...not too shabby.
I do wish there was visibility on if MileagePlus is/was going to be more active in onboarding new users of the app. That said, I wonder about the long-term viability of the app - I feel like the people most apt to use it are folks like us who are going to try and maximize every single mile we can earn out of the thing (combined with other programs as well)...but maybe that's just a drop in the bucket overall.
I do wish there was visibility on if MileagePlus is/was going to be more active in onboarding new users of the app. That said, I wonder about the long-term viability of the app - I feel like the people most apt to use it are folks like us who are going to try and maximize every single mile we can earn out of the thing (combined with other programs as well)...but maybe that's just a drop in the bucket overall.
May 6, 2015, 12:03 pm
#267
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
I do wish there was visibility on if MileagePlus is/was going to be more active in onboarding new users of the app. That said, I wonder about the long-term viability of the app - I feel like the people most apt to use it are folks like us who are going to try and maximize every single mile we can earn out of the thing (combined with other programs as well)...but maybe that's just a drop in the bucket overall.
May 6, 2015, 8:37 pm
#268
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,041
On another note, after bugging Cantera again, they finally posted the 4x points on my Sephora purchase for my wife. Ended up earning 10x on $200, although a bit annoyed at the hassle one has to go through with contacting Cantera. That's made 3 purchases I've made in the past ~5 months through MP Shopping's website that have failed to pick up and have required me to make a submission (out of a total of 8-10).
May 6, 2015, 8:44 pm
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,817
May 7, 2015, 12:24 pm
#270
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Say what? My app lists Papa John's miles/dollar at 4—not 5. What gives? By the way, my Papa John's purchases via MPX do qualify for the Freedom qurterly bonus, so I expect yours will too.