So, you’ve got the Amex Platinum. It’s heavy, it’s shiny, and it’s expensive. That $695 annual fee hits like a ton of bricks every year. Most people get the card for the lounge access or the 5x points on flights, but the "credits" are where you actually claw back your investment. The problem? Some of them are a total pain to use.
Enter the United Travel Bank Amex Platinum "loophole"—though calling it a loophole feels a bit dramatic these days since it’s been working for years. It’s basically the gold standard for burning through that $200 Airline Fee Credit without actually having to pay for checked bags or overpriced snack boxes.
Honestly, if you aren't using this, you're probably leaving money on the table.
The Airline Credit Problem
The American Express Platinum Card gives you a $200 airline incidental credit. Simple, right? Wrong. Amex is notoriously stingy about what counts. They explicitly say "airline tickets" are excluded. You can’t just buy a flight to Vegas and expect a statement credit. It’s meant for the annoying stuff: checked bags, change fees (which barely exist anymore), seat assignments, and onboard WiFi (sometimes).
But what if you don't check bags? What if you have status and get seats for free? That $200 just sits there, mocking you.
That is why the United Travel Bank is such a lifesaver. By "funding" your Travel Bank account, you’re essentially converting a rigid "incidental" credit into a flexible fund you can use to buy actual plane tickets later. It’s like a gift card for yourself, funded by Amex.
How it Actually Works
First things first: you have to select United Airlines as your designated airline on the Amex benefits dashboard. You can’t do this after the fact. If you have Delta or JetBlue selected, this won't work. Switch it first.
✨ Don't miss: What Time in South Korea: Why the Peninsula Stays Nine Hours Ahead
Once that’s set, you head over to the United website. Look for the Travel Bank section. You’ll see options to add funds in increments—usually $50, $100, or $250.
Here is the trick. Buy two $100 increments. Or four $50 increments.
Don't go for a single $250 chunk if you’re trying to use the whole credit because, well, the credit is only $200. Plus, smaller transactions tend to trigger the automated system more reliably. A $100 charge looks like a "fee" to the Amex computer. A $500 charge looks like a ticket. You want to stay in the "fee" territory.
Usually, within 5 to 7 days, you’ll see the "AMEX Airline Fee Credit" post to your statement. It wipes out the charge. It feels like magic every time.
Why United and Not Others?
You might wonder why we don’t talk about Delta or American here. Delta used to have a thing with gift cards, but they killed that years ago. Southwest works sometimes for low-fare tickets (under $100), but it's finicky. United is the only major carrier with a dedicated "Bank" that consistently triggers the Amex credit.
The United Travel Bank is basically a digital wallet. The funds stay there for 5 years. That is a massive window. Even if you don't have a trip planned today, you’re essentially "banking" your Amex credit for a future vacation. It beats buying $200 worth of United snack boxes, that’s for sure.
🔗 Read more: Where to Stay in Seoul: What Most People Get Wrong
A Few Words of Caution
Nothing in the credit card world is permanent. Amex could wake up tomorrow and decide to hard-code this out of existence. They’ve done it before with other "hacks."
Also, keep an eye on the expiration. While 5 years is a long time, it’s not forever. If you forget about the money, you’ve just given United a $200 donation. Don't do that.
There’s also the "terms and conditions" factor. Technically, the Amex terms say "memberships, gift cards, and award tickets" are excluded. Because the Travel Bank is technically a "fund" and not a "gift card," it slips through. But if you call Amex because your credit didn't post? Don't mention the Travel Bank. They will point at the fine print and tell you "no." If it doesn't post automatically, you're usually out of luck.
Real World Examples
I’ve seen people use this to stack credits over two years. Since the Amex credit is per calendar year, not cardmember year, you can do this.
Imagine you get the card in December.
- Load $200 into United Travel Bank in late December.
- Load another $200 in early January.
- Boom. You have $400 for a flight, and you've only paid one annual fee so far.
It’s the smartest way to handle the "triple dip" if you’re timing your card application right.
💡 You might also like: Red Bank Battlefield Park: Why This Small Jersey Bluff Actually Changed the Revolution
I once talked to a guy who managed to pay for a whole flight to Hawaii just using stacked Travel Bank credits from his and his wife’s Platinum cards. It took some planning, but they saved $800. That’s real money.
The Technical Nitty-Gritty
When you see the charge on your statement, it usually appears as "UNITED AIRLINES" but the metadata—the stuff the computer sees—is what matters. It often lists it as a "Special Service Ticket."
Wait.
Be patient.
Don't panic if it doesn't credit in 48 hours. The Amex system is old. It’s clunky. Sometimes it takes a full week. If you’ve selected United as your airline and you bought the funds directly from United’s site (not an app, usually use a desktop), it almost always works.
Is the Platinum Card Still Worth It?
With the fee at $695, people are skeptical. But if you value the Travel Bank at $200, the Uber credits at $200, and the Saks credit at $100, the "effective" fee drops to $195. That’s before you even touch the lounges or the Clear Plus credit.
If you fly United even once a year, the United Travel Bank Amex Platinum combo is a no-brainer. It turns a "maybe" credit into a "definitely" credit.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
- Check your selected airline: Go to the Amex app or website right now. If United isn't your selected airline for the $200 credit, change it. You can usually change it once a year in January, though if you haven't used any credit yet, chat support will often let you swap it mid-year.
- Register for a United MileagePlus account: You can't use the Travel Bank without one. It's free. Do it before you try to buy anything.
- Test with $50: If you’re nervous, just buy $50. Wait for the credit to hit. Once you see "Statement Credit" on your Amex activity, go back and do the other $150.
- Check your balance: Log into United periodically. The Travel Bank balance is separate from your miles. It’s under "Payment methods" or "TravelBank" in your account profile.
- Use it for the fare: Remember, Travel Bank funds only cover the base fare and taxes on United-operated flights. You generally can't use them for partner flights (like Lufthansa) unless it’s booked through United and has a United flight number.
- Keep a spreadsheet: If you have multiple Amex cards (like a Gold and a Platinum), keep track of which credits you've used. It's easy to lose $200 by simply forgetting to click "buy" before December 31st.