Weatherboy

Not sure if the retailers pulled out, if United kicked them out, or what, but a large number of large retailers no longer participate in the MileagePlus Shopping program. Lowe's, Target, and Walmart are among the big box stores to get out this month. In looking over their updated list, it looks like most brick & mortar retail is out.

I appreciated Target in the program; it was easy to order groceries online, get 5% off, get UA mileage for the buy, and have them ready for pick-up or free delivery. Lowe's was also easy with online ordering through the portal with in-store pick-up.

According to the site, I earned over 104,000 UA miles at Target and Lowe's over the years.

blug

It's not UA specific. Target and Walmart no longer participate in (at least) SkymilesShopping, Chase shopping portal and Rakuten. Probably COVID-related.

ctownflyer

Absolutely COVID related. Marketing budgets are being slashed across the board.

Craig6z

And in cases of the Target and Walmart's of the world, why pay to drive traffic to you, that will arrive organically.

phkc070408

I don't know if it still stands of not, but as of a week ago I was able to make a purchase on MileagePlusX at Walmart. This was through the MileagePlusX Shopping Portal, not gift cards. This was after Walmart dropped MP Shopping.

I also took advantage of having some extra cash at home, due to decreased spending, to buy a $500.00 Walmart gift card on MileagePlusX, in case Walmart leaves that as well.

cfischer

yep, same for standard cashback sites. Was able to sneak in some purchases while some still had it available. Not sure I understand the rational fully ... if I have a choice of vendors and things cost the same everywhere ... I go where the cashback is.

WineCountryUA

yeap, such as MrRebates
Still in MPX at 0.5 miles/$

bobley

Many retailers have pulled out of these site, the sites are keeping more of the money, or the percentages paid have decreased. I wonder if some of the sites will go under.

acregal

I've noticed this too - I have been shopping a bit online and some of my usual shops aren't offering cash back. J.Crew is, although I didn't bother with it for the 2 shirts I got for $0.40 shipped.

Some of these smaller sites might go under, but realistically most of them will stick around - the costs required to run the sites are quite low.

gaobest

I barely use this service but do have it. For the $500 gift card, I assume the cost is $599 - what is the benefit for buying the gift card?

WineCountryUA

The cost was $500 for a $500 giftt card but you earned UA MP miles on the gift card purchase. How much varied from 0.5m/$ to sometimes 3-4-5 m/$, more in MileagePlus X – Shopping App to Earn Additional Award Miles

goodeats21

Totally makes sense that some stores in the essentials category would pause on these sites. No need to generate traffic/sales. They are getting as much as they can handle.

I would expect to see some better offers from stores in the non-essential categories, especially as things start to open up. While it might cut into margins, it is also a lever to generate cash sales.

az22

UA doesn’t actually manage their shopping portal. It’s owned and operated by this company... https://www.cartera.com/ , which is in turn owned by Ebates/Rakuten.
https://www.cartera.com/news-release...rtera-commerce
They’re the ones who have the relationship and contract with the retailers. They also manage a bunch other airline / bank shopping portals.

SanDiego1K

I did Macys shopping when it was 10x/dollar for United. I was browsing yesterday and noticed Macy had no bonus points offer with any carrier. This explains it. Glad this thread was started.

emcampbe

Yup, noticed this as well, particularly with ebates/Rakuten. Amazon has pulled out of Rakuten as well - Amazon was rare to find on these sites, so always appreciated them being there, even though only limited categories.

And yes, some other retailers definitely have decent rebates through these programs. Not sure if they have increased recently, or have always been this way, but we got 5% back through Rakuten on a nice new Vitamix blender - which we needed anyway since our old one died (they are 2 miles/$ on MP Shopping). Surprised to see a high-end brand which has enough unique advantages and stature to not seemingly need additional incentives to encourage purchase. But presumably especially when times like this come along, it may be more necessary. Hey, I'll take it.