United TravelBank: All You Need to Know

For frequent United Airlines travelers, the United TravelBank provides a convenient and flexible way to manage funds for your upcoming trips. This virtual account, linked to your MileagePlus account, enables you to deposit money and use it towards flights, upgrades, baggage fees, and other expenses. Whether you’re booking a last-minute flight or enhancing your travel experience with premium services, the United Airlines Travel Bank provides a simple and secure method to keep your travel budget organized. Travelers can also visit www.united.com for more information.  In this blog, you will know how the Travel Bank works, how you can add and use funds, and tips to get the most out of your account.

What is United TravelBank?

United Travel Bank is a flexible, virtual account that allows you to store funds for future travel with United Airlines. Whether you’re booking a flight, paying for an upgrade, or covering other travel expenses, your Travel Bank balance can be used for a wide range of purchases. 

The account is tied to your MileagePlus membership, giving you a simple way to manage and access your travel funds when you need them. It’s perfect for frequent flyers who want to streamline their travel budget and enjoy added convenience when planning trips.

How to Add Funds to Your United Travel Bank?

Adding funds to your United Travel Bank is a quick and easy process that helps you prepare for upcoming travel. Here’s how you can do it:

• Log in to Your MileagePlus Account: Visit the United Airlines website and log in to your MileagePlus account using your credentials.
• Access Your Travel Bank: Once logged in, go to the ‘Travel Bank’ section in your account dashboard. You can usually find this under the ‘My Account’ or ‘MileagePlus’ tabs.
• Choose Your Funding Method: You can add funds using a credit card, a United gift card, or a Travel Bank deposit. United may also allow payments via third-party gift cards or other promotional methods.
• Enter the Amount: Decide how much money you would like to deposit into your Travel Bank. The amount can be as low or as high as you prefer, depending on your future travel plans.
• Complete the Transaction: Follow the prompts to enter your payment details and confirm the deposit. Once done, your Travel Bank balance will reflect the new funds immediately.
• Check Your Balance: After adding funds, you can always return to the Travel Bank section to monitor your balance and keep track of any recent transactions.

How Can You Use United Travel Bank Balance?

Once you have added funds to your United Travel Bank, using them is easy and convenient. Here’s how you can apply your balance to your upcoming travel expenses:

• Booking a Flight: To use your United Travel Bank balance, select your flight on the United website and proceed to the payment page. Choose TravelBank as your payment method, and if your balance covers the full cost, great; if not, pay the difference with a credit or debit card.
• Upgrades to Premium Seating: During the booking process or after purchasing your ticket, you can apply your Travel Bank funds to upgrade to a higher class of service, like Business Class or First Class. Use Funds at the Airport: If you prefer to upgrade after booking, you can use your Travel Bank balance to pay for upgrades at the airport, depending on availability.
• TravelBank Purchases: MileagePlus members can purchase United TravelBank credits in increments of $50, $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000. If you need a different amount, you can make multiple transactions, such as buying $50 and $100 to reach $150. The only limitation is a $5,000 daily purchase limit per MileagePlus account, allowing up to five purchases per day.
• Baggage Fees: When you check in for your flight online or at the airport, you can use your Travel Bank balance to cover the cost of checked bags or additional luggage. Simply select the option to use Travel Bank funds during payment.
• Other Travel Expense: Travel Bank funds can also be used for other incidental costs, like seat selections, premium services, or even airport lounge access, depending on the specifics of your booking.
• Monitor Your Balance: After each transaction, be sure to check your remaining balance by logging into your MileagePlus account. This will help you keep track of how much you have left for future flights or travel-related purchases.

Important Points to Remember When Using Your United Travel Bank

Below is a brief explanation of what you need to keep in mind when using your United Travel Bank.

• Non-Transferable: TravelBank funds are tied to your MileagePlus account and can’t be transferred to others.
• Expiration: Funds do not expire, but you must have activity within 12 months to keep them active.
• United Flights Only: TravelBank funds can only be used for United-operated flights and related services.
• Daily Deposit Limit: You can add up to $5,000 per day to your TravelBank account.
• Multiple Transactions: For amounts outside the preset options, you can make multiple purchases (e.g., $150 with two transactions).

How to Earn United TravelBank Credits with IHG Credit Cards?

• An unexpected way to earn United Travel Bank credits is through certain IHG credit cards. Holders of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card can enroll to receive up to $50 in TravelBank cash each year. Cardholders get $25 deposited in early January and another $25 in early July.
• However, these funds have a shorter expiration window compared to purchased TravelBank funds. The January deposit expires on July 15 of the same year, while the July deposit expires on January 15 of the following year.
• During the two-week overlap, cardholders may have up to $50 in active TravelBank funds. While this amount might not cover the full cost of a flight, it can still help reduce some out-of-pocket expenses for your next United Airlines trip.
• To start receiving these benefits, eligible cardholders can register at ihg.com/united. Simply log in to your IHG One Rewards account, provide your United MileagePlus number and last name to complete registration. Be aware that it may take up to two weeks for your first $25 deposit to appear after registration.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using United Travel Bank

• Ignoring Expiration Dates: TravelBank credits tied to IHG card benefits expire within a short time frame (6 months), so make sure to use them before they expire.
• Missing Registration: Failing to register for the IHG-United TravelBank benefit can delay or prevent the credit deposit.
• Not Tracking Funds: Keep track of your TravelBank balance and ensure you use your credits before they expire, especially during the two-week crossover period.
• Exceeding Daily Limits: Remember that you can only deposit up to $5,000 into your TravelBank account per day.
• Not Using Multiple Transactions for Custom Amounts: If the preset deposit amounts don’t meet your needs, remember you can make multiple smaller transactions to reach your desired balance.

To wrap things up, United Travel Bank is more than just a virtual account; it’s your travel companion, offering flexibility and control over your flight-related expenses. Whether you’re saving for an upgrade, booking your next flight, or covering baggage fees, TravelBank provides a hassle-free way to manage your travel budget. With the freedom to add funds, track your balance, and use it across United flights, it’s a smart way to enhance your travel experience without any surprises. Ready to make your travel funds work smarter? United Travel Bank has you covered.