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]
Nov 24, 2014, 12:55 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,214
I'm in the test group and just downloaded the app. MattR23 does a very good job of explaining how it works just a few posts above. One interesting thing I noted as I read through the T&Cs is that it explicitly allows for UA at a future date to implement a method to redeem miles for the gift card purchases. I am sure many on this board would be much the wiser to never redeem in that manner but it is now a consistent theme between the EWR upgrades announced last week and this app. I think the future of MP as just a digital currency (that can be devalued at any time) is not too far out.
Nov 24, 2014, 12:55 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
Chris
Nov 24, 2014, 12:55 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Programs: United Silver, Hyatt, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 751
Nov 24, 2014, 12:56 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Hahn Air has the market cornered. It would be kind of awesome to have a vendor that JUST sold frequent-flyer miles and issued award tickets in LH F and SQ J.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:05 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,758
Heaven forbid that United should reward us with more miles by actually FLYING with our butt in the seat with them. 
Nov 24, 2014, 1:08 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 257
This was my first thought too. I'll probably only use it for things that I won't/can't return, such as restaurants or movies.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:10 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, M life Noir
Posts: 1,279
I am in the preview group; downloaded the app and used it at a nearby restaurant just now. The cashier had to manually type the GC code it, but other than that everything worked smoothly and the miles are already in my account. I plan to use the app for mostly restaurant purchases, where forfeiting credit card benefits isn't a big deal.
Note: You get the 25% miles bonus for simply having a valid United MileagePlus credit card associated with your MP account. You do not actually need to use the MP CC to get the 25% bonus. I used my CSP on this first purchase and still got the 25% bonus. It will be interesting to see what the merchant category code (MCC) is.
Note: You get the 25% miles bonus for simply having a valid United MileagePlus credit card associated with your MP account. You do not actually need to use the MP CC to get the 25% bonus. I used my CSP on this first purchase and still got the 25% bonus. It will be interesting to see what the merchant category code (MCC) is.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:13 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
I am in the preview group; downloaded the app and used it at a nearby restaurant just now. The cashier had to manually type the GC code it, but other than that everything worked smoothly and the miles are already in my account. I plan to use the app for mostly restaurant purchases, where forfeiting credit card benefits isn't a big deal.
Note: You get the 25% miles bonus for simply having a valid United MileagePlus credit card associated with your MP account. You do not actually need to use the MP CC to get the 25% bonus. I used my CSP on this first purchase and still got the 25% bonus. It will be interesting to see what the merchant category code (MCC) is.
Note: You get the 25% miles bonus for simply having a valid United MileagePlus credit card associated with your MP account. You do not actually need to use the MP CC to get the 25% bonus. I used my CSP on this first purchase and still got the 25% bonus. It will be interesting to see what the merchant category code (MCC) is.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:22 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, M life Noir
Posts: 1,279
I just grabbed some stuff to go from Panera Bread; didn't tip. When tipping, I suspect you would just figure out whatever the grand total including tip is then enter that amount on the app, which makes sense since you're basically buying a gift card.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:25 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
That's what I figured. Thanks...
Nov 24, 2014, 1:38 pm
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,603
More and more, United is a credit card company that just happens to operate an airline. And not very well.....
Nov 24, 2014, 1:45 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA EXP and Lifetime Gold, UA LifetMarriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,006
One of the local spa offers 26 miles per dollar. It's almost too good to be true.
I am not a massage kind of guy, but I can see myself go to massage just to get more miles.
I am not a massage kind of guy, but I can see myself go to massage just to get more miles.
Nov 24, 2014, 1:57 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: United Gold
Posts: 1,581
I remember saving tons of these things to redeem for valuable prizes
Nov 24, 2014, 2:12 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
I was just about to post this here as I've found the app while searching to see if there was one for MP Shopping. I guess I'm not part of the preview group as the app told me that I did not have an invitation.