United Travel Bank
Out of the big three domestic airlines, my family and I currently fly United the least. We’re most often on American Airlines, especially since AA created their ingenious Loyalty Points scheme, with Delta a distant second. Nonetheless, we’re often flying the friendly skies involving one of their hubs. And our normal travel patterns there was enough for us to go all in on United Travel Bank for particular credit card benefits. We enjoy its simplicity while also respecting the limitations that come along with it. Next, I’ll describe why this particularly matters to us now and how we plan to burn these funds. I’m also touching on what I’m not doing, and what I wish I could.
Why We’re Here
After several years of goosing our United Travel Bank balance, it’s time that we start using it at a faster pace. Indeed, we must remember two major limitations exist with United Travel Bank, among others:
- Travel Bank is generally limited to buying flights on United and United Express.
- Travel Bank funds expire five years from the date of deposit.
Of course, which one of those is a bigger deal depends on the individual. And either, or both, could be enough to scare anyone away.
While we’ve continually used Travel Bank over the past few years, our deposits have clearly outpaced our consumption. Our next significant portion of Travel Bank funds has a fall 2026 expiration. While we’ve been historically confident in United needs and wants over a five-year timeframe, it’s getting closer to crunch time to avoid big expiration. Here’s how we plan to spend it.
United Club Membership
I’ll start with the most obvious one first. As I’ve previously discussed, Mileage Plus members can pay for a United Club membership with Travel Bank funds. We’ve come full circle with airline lounges, where we now routinely prioritize them over bank- or Priority Pass-affiliated options. We appreciate such a compatible option for Travel Bank funds, since we’ll often want to access United’s lounges in conjunction with our flights on the airline. While United recently hiked their membership prices and shifted many benefits to a more expensive “All Access” version, I won’t flinch at picking up an individual membership. As our United flight plans solidify, I may even go for the All Access version.
Domestic Premium Travel
On international routings, I generally avoid US airlines, opting for other superior carriers. That puts us squarely using United Travel Bank for domestic travel. I’ll split this into two sections, as the plans vary slightly.
Solo Travel
As I’ve done in the past, I’ll continue buying up front on all of my solo travel. That even includes short flights. While the economy versus first service difference isn’t huge, neither is the price change, from what I’ve noticed. That’s an easy way to spend down the “free” funds which I’ve enjoyed doing.
I’ve used Travel Bank to easily book United Polaris Business on transcontinental routes and plan to continue. The product is aging, but I still find it premium enough, especially taking into account the dusty offerings from its competitors. (AA’s updates will eventually change that calculus, but not quite yet.)
Family Travel
We have a few long-haul plans in the not-too-distant future, including Hawaii. We plan to splurge a significant chunk of Travel Bank on United’s premium economy offering. That’ll strike the right balance of experience and price with my family of four. My curiosity is higher than my expectations for this product, and I’m looking forward to spoiling the kids a bit (but not too much). While not as definite, I’m leaving open the option for buying United first tickets for regional family travel, slightly upgrading the journey to our periodic destinations.
What I’m Not Doing with United Travel Bank
Again, I just can’t bring myself to fly United internationally – not any time soon, at least. I’m not highly interested in their Polaris Business product when compared to options from the international carriers. While I’m planning to buy into a United Club “subscription,” I don’t plan to partake of the Economy Plus or wi-fi options. My plans to use Travel Bank for other premium United options cannibalizes any Economy Plus need, and a reliable book bests those wi-fi prices.
What I Wish I Could Do
I’ve never visited a United Polaris Lounge, and I’m intrigued to try one, but perhaps not curious enough. Experiencing these lounges requires an international flight on United Polaris Business – again, something I’m not particularly interested in. I’d happily buy into such a lounge with Travel Bank, if United ever offered that option. But I don’t have high hopes there. At this rate, if I ever experience one, it’ll be through access via one of Star Alliance’s international partners.
United Travel Bank – Conclusion
More importantly, what say you? I’m interested to hear your ideas for burning United Travel Bank. If it matters, I’m looking for quality over quantity here. What do you suggest for maximum United enjoyment (not sarcasm)? While I’m confident in our plans for the next 24 months, I’m open to experimenting more beyond. I’m grateful to have this challenge in front of me.
What are your favorite ways to use United Travel Bank funds?
I don’t think that you should actively avoid Polaris. Granted, good cash/TravelBank deals are few and far between. The product is very good — predictable and consistent. Bedding is superior, in-flight entertainment is excellent, seats are very good, food is questionable, service is usually quite good (better these days with happier crews in general), and the lounges are excellent. Anyway, my two cents worth…
Thanks for that international Polaris plug, Gene. Despite my current intentions, this low priority could come into play for me later. We’ll see!