While poking around united.com today, I came across a united.com Club page, offering MileagePlus members a $5 travel credit every time they book a trip on united.com. Annual membership is $25.
The united.com Club (formerly called The Travel Club @ continental.com) is your ticket to exclusive savings. Your $25 annual membership fee gets you $5 back on every ticket you purchase at united.com. With so many ways to save time and money at united.com, you’ll quickly find value in your membership.
The $5 credit will be added to your TravelBank after travel has been completed. These funds can then be used to purchase travel to anywhere United or United Express flies.
In addition, united.com Club members receive special offers on travel and merchandise, including hotel, cruise and vacation packages.
I wish I would have seen this earlier in the year, as it would have paid for itself many times over. At this point in the year, with nearly 100,000 elite miles banked and a strong possibility I will transition to American Airlines for the rest of the year, I am not sure I will be taking advantage now.
Here’s some FAQs:
How much does it cost to join?
Annual membership is available for only $25 (subject to change). With the $5 you get back every time you purchase a ticket at united.com, you’ll quickly find value in your membership.
How do I enroll?
It’s easy – select Join the united.com Club, sign in to your MileagePlus® account and fill in the enrollment form. Start saving when you become a united.com Club member. Learn more about the united.com Club.
Not a MileagePlus member? Enroll in MileagePlus now.
If I purchase a ticket for another person, do I get the credit?
Yes, as long as you are signed in when you make the purchase. A $5 united.com Club credit will be deposited in your TravelBank when travel is completed on any ticket purchased at united.com.
Can I use my credit toward any flight?
Yes. Credits are deposited in your TravelBank and may be applied to any air travel purchased at united.com (excluding MileagePlus award travel).
If I am not a united.com Club member and I purchase the ticket for someone who is a united.com Club member, do they get the credit?
No. The per-ticket credits are only available to united.com Club members who have signed in and purchased a ticket. The $5 credit will be issued to the purchasing united.com Club member’s TravelBank after travel is completed.
Can I use united.com Club deposits to pay for my taxes and fees for an award ticket (mileage redemption)?
No. united.com Club credits are deposited to your TravelBank, which is currently only applicable for the purchase of non-award tickets.
If the balance in my TravelBank exceeds my ticket price, what happens to the balance?
The TravelBank amount designated for the ticket purchase will be deducted and any remaining balance will stay in your TravelBank for future use.
Can I use my TravelBank funds to pay for a partial amount of my ticket if the balance in my TravelBank is less than the ticket price?
Yes. The TravelBank funds may be combined with a credit card to complete the ticket purchase. Additional form of payment combinations may be added in the future.
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Nothing startling, though it is noteworthy that you do not receive the credit until after your travel is completed. I could just see what would happen if they credited the $5 immediately and a crafty passenger then simply took advantage of United’s free 24-hour cancellation policy.
This is a good program and one I will sign up for at some point. A good tool as well, I surmise, to drive more bookings to United.com and lure customers to purchase the extra goodies like baggage, Economy Plus, and upgrades to first class which are not typically offered when booking through third-party providers like Orbitz or Expedia.
Very nice to meet you at the Freddie’s hope you had a safe return home to sunny LA!
It’s barely May and you’ve already made 1K? Nice! Are you doing transcons almost every week?
@Angelina: Nice to meet you as well. Sadly, I am stuck in PHL for one more week–LA on Saturday!
@azm: I have been doing trasncons on an almost weekly basis. After I fly from PHL-LAX this Saturday, though, I am putting on the breaks for awhile. Hopefully little to no travel in May/June, though Havana beckons.
Beware the lure of the united.com club. You’ll be booking every round trip as one ways when possible. My reservations list is a mile long. On CO the rebate worked for reward tickets too, so you got your $5 tax back. The caveat is making changes. I’ve found if an agent changes the reservation on the phone, the system no longer thinks you booked it .com and you get nothing. So as a plat-now-1k with no-fee award canceling, I always book awards as one-ways if possible. It makes it easier to change one half of the flight by booking the new segments online and calling to cancel the old and you’re ensured to get a full $10 discount for the round trip.