united travel options bundle refund

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Fiascos and Fixes

What is a United Airlines Travel Bundle? It’s a mystery to this passenger

Michelle Couch-Friedman

Consumer reporter and ombudsman

December 16, 2023

Mary Bradley says she was billed hundreds of dollars extra for a United Airlines Travel Bundle on a self-booked ticket. She doesn’t know what these fees are, but she wants a refund. Can our advocacy team help?

I purchased two round-trip United Airlines tickets from Philadelphia to San Francisco, but then I found eight extra charges on my credit card. When I called United to ask what the extra charges were for, they said something about a promotion Travel Bundle. I told the representative I never agreed to buy a promotion bundle and wanted a refund.

I don’t even know what a promotion bundle is. But I don’t want it. I just wanted my seat assignments. I went online and asked for a refund, but United Airlines ignored my request. Can you help me get a refund from United Airlines for these extra charges for this mysterious Travel Bundle?  Mary Bradley, Wayne, Pa.

These days, the add-ons that airlines offer customers can be really confusing — even to the most seasoned traveler.

Before hitting that final confirmation button, there can be a dizzying array of choices to make: Do you want a seat assignment? Would you like to pre-pay baggage fees? How about priority boarding? An upgrade? What about purchasing bonus mileage? And would you care for a sandwich or a cocktail?

During your self-booking process, all of these options, and more may be presented to you on various screens.

Extra charges on your United Airlines confirmation

The variety of supplementary options for air travelers is increasing by the day. It’s clear that the airlines are constantly searching for additional revenue sources.

And the complaints that we receive suggest that airline passengers are a bit confused. Accidental online purchases of unwanted amenities are common.

When you purchased your tickets, though, you were clear that you only wanted an assigned seat for you and your husband. United Airlines should not have charged extra for anything you did not intentionally purchase.

So, what was that extra $250 on your bill?

The options for the United Airlines Travel Bundle

Because you were selecting two seats on a round-trip itinerary, there should have been four charges. You sent me a screenshot of your credit card that showed that you were charged for the seats that you selected. But also for something called the United Airlines Travel Bundle — four more times. These charges added $250 to your trip.

So what is this bundle?

There isn’t a simple answer to that question. When I went to the United website and searched for the Travel Bundle, I was taken to a page with many add-ons that may be part of your bundle — including, among other things, amenities such as premium seats, wifi, snacks and extra luggage.

The United Airlines FAQs explain that “Travel Options Bundles ” are customized based on your trip and could include any combination of products.

So what products did your bundle include? It was a mystery to you. The four charges on your credit card only noted “United Airlines Travel Bundle.” The representative that you spoke to wasn’t quite sure either.

Looking further into the explanation of this bundle, it appears that the options are shown to you at some point before you click the final confirmation button and purchase your ticket.

But you didn’t recall seeing any screen offering multiple United Airlines products. And you told me that you’re certain that you did not agree to the extra charges.

United Airlines is refunding the Travel Bundle

I contacted United Airlines on your behalf to find out why the airline had charged you for the seat assignments and the “bundle.”

Although United Airlines did not explain the confusion, its team quickly removed the extra charges. You received a refund confirmation from United Airlines for all the charges associated with the Travel Bundle. Now, only the seat assignment charges remain.

Enjoy your trip!

How to avoid getting hit with extra charges on your airline booking

Unfortunately, we see many self-booking mishaps here at Consumer Rescue. Travelers can easily avoid most booking problems by following a few simple tips.

• Review all the itemized charges: Before you click on that confirm button, you’ll see a list of itemized charges. It’s very important not to gloss over that information. Review each charge carefully. That’s when you can still remove any unwanted products added in error.
• Scrutinize the confirmation — within 24 hours: Remember that the first 24 hours after your airline ticket purchase is the time to catch any mistakes (including ticket vs passport mismatches ). If you notice any issues with your reservation, you can cancel without penalty and start over from scratch. Immediately looking over that confirmation when it arrives in your inbox can save you hours of frustration trying to correct the problem later. (Note: Unfortunately, that 24-hour grace period does not apply to tickets purchased via a third-party agent . The Department of Transportation only requires airlines to provide that flexibility.)
• Consider a travel advisor: Most booking fiascos can be entirely avoided. If you aren’t computer savvy or are a travel novice, you might consider asking for the guidance of a travel advisor. The American Society of Travel Advisors can help you find a qualified professional. ( Michelle Couch-Friedman, Consumer Rescue)

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• United Bundle Opt...

United Bundle Options-Caution

When booking flights on United they usually offer "bundled options" to add to your flights (e.g. early boarding, extra bag, economy plus, etc.). Depending on the offers, I have often found these to be a good deal. Today, I booked a round- trip flight from California to Paris. The only "bundle" offered was economy plus, which I normally purchase. The outbound was priced at $204 and the return at $225. These seemed expensive to me, so I passed. After completing the booking, I went to seat selection. The economy plus ranged from $149 to $169. I just wanted to pass along that the bundles aren't always a good deal.

The bundles include either premier access or extra checked bags. Not sure those are worth it but it’s not the Economy Plus seat alone that you are buying with a bundle. Regardless I agree the Economy Plus seating is more than worth it for those long flights.

The bundles vary. This one included only economy plus. It did not include extra checked bag or premier access. Right before I paid, premier access was offered fir $29, but it was not in the bundle.

A couple of months ago I purchased round trip Jackson Hole from California. Outbound included economy plus and extra bag. Return was only economy plus with nothing else.

OK then, I stand corrected. Add this to another on the long list of how the hell do airlines actually price what they are selling?

Here's their choices. www.united.com/CMS/en-US/products/travelproducts/Pages/packages.aspx I agree, there's no rhyme or reason. It would be nice to pick and choose for yourself.

Another pet peeve I have is that on domestic flights I have one checked bag free because of using their credit card. The second (often camping gear) is $35. I think it should be $25 because that is what a first checked bag cost if you are paying.

I'd rather they had checked bags than jammed overhead bins!

Do note that United is currently making changes to their web site on both the front and back end. So unless you're finding a screaming deal when searching out travel dates and routes, I'd probably give them a couple days to shake some more of the bugs out of the new site.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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United Airlines Refund Policy: How to Get a Refund from United

Here’s what you need to know when trying to get a refund on your unused plane ticket!

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

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If you booked a flight on United Airlines and want the cost of your ticket refunded, here’s how to get the process started.

United Airlines Refund Policy

Each airline has its own refund policy, however, they are all governed by the same rules that are mandated by the  Department of Transportation  (“DOT”).

The following are scenarios that require a full or partial refund, as mandated by the DOT, and enforced through the United Airlines Refund Policy:

• 24-Hour Refund  – When you buy a ticket at least 7 days prior to departure, you have up to 24 hours from when you first buy your ticket to request a refund. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you must cancel your trip to get a refund.
• Canceled Flight  – You are entitled to a refund if United Airlines cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and you choose not to travel.
• The DOT does not specify what is “significant” so this will vary from airline to airline. Check United’s refund policy page  for the latest updates.
• Class of Service Change  – You are entitled to a refund if you are involuntarily moved to a lower class of service.  For example, if you purchased a first-class ticket and are downgraded to an economy-class seat due to an aircraft swap, you are then owed the difference in fares.
• Fully refundable ticket  – If you purchase a fully refundable ticket are entitled to a refund when you don’t use the purchased ticket to complete your travel
• Airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost.  Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary from one airline to another.  Check United’s refund policy page  for the latest updates.

If your flight is canceled and you don’t want to be re-booked on another flight, you are entitled to a  full refund of the ticket price .

Note: Airfare rules have changed since COVID, so check out the United Airlines’ travel updates page to make sure you are up to speed with the latest developments and policies.

Getting a refund on a fully refundable ticket is relatively easy, but it’s a lot tougher if you have a non-refundable ticket.

United Airlines won’t issue refunds on non-refundable tickets, except for the following situations that are considered “ unplanned events ”:

• Immediate family members include: adopted ward, aunt, brother, brother-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, domestic partner, father, father-in-law, foster brother, foster daughter, foster father, foster mother, foster sister, foster son, granddaughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, half-brother, half-sister, husband, legal guardian, mother, mother-in-law, nephew, niece, sister, sister-in-law, son, son-in-law, step-brother, step-daughter, step-father, step-mother, step-sister, step-son, uncle, wife
• Travelers in the reservation are actively on jury duty during the dates of planned travel
• Certain illness situations

United will refund tickets only when the unplanned event prevents the use of that ticket within one year of the ticket’s date of issue.

If you find yourself in an unplanned situation that requires you to cancel your trip, here’s the documentation you will need to provide to United to get a refund:

• In case of death: Copy of the death certificate.
• Illness situations: Letter (on letterhead) from a licensed physician confirming that travel was not recommended due to the customer’s illness.   This is primarily for the refund of a change fee.
• Jury duty refund requests: Copy of the jury summons.

United Airlines Refund Request: How to Get a Refund

After reading the above information, if you believe you are eligible for a refund, just go to the United Airlines refund page and follow these steps:

• Go to the United Airlines Refund Page
• Enter your name, contact information, and the ticket number.
• Provide the details of your refund request and why you are requesting it.
• Upload any supporting documentation required.
• Click submit and save your confirmation number for future reference.
• Wait 2-4 weeks to hear back from United regarding your refund status.

You can find your ticket number on either the printed boarding pass or your receipt.

If you are unable to submit your request online, you can contact United Refunds via mail at the address below. Make sure to include your United Airlines ticket number, your flight information, contact information, and the reason for your request.

United Airlines United Refunds P.O. Box 4607, Dept. NHCRF Houston, TX 77210-4607

• You can check the status of your refund on the United Airlines website here .  
• Just click on the “check status” tab and enter your ticket number and last name.

How long will it take to get a refund from United Airlines?

If you are owed a refund, United must process the refund and provide credit within 7 business days if you paid by credit card, and 20 business days if you paid by cash or check.

Tim is a business road warrior and avid leisure traveler who has flown over two million miles in the air and spent well over a thousand nights in hotels. He enjoys sharing tips, tricks, and hacks to help readers get the most out of their travel experience and learn how to “travel like a pro”!

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United Airlines adds extra step to get refund for seat fees

Airlines around the world are bleeding cash in light of the near-zero demand for air travel .

So the cash-strapped carriers are attempting to save as much money as possible. One way they've gone about this is by circumventing the refund rules outlined by the Department of Transportation .

Though you're eligible for a refund when an airline cancels your flight , carriers have tried to wiggle their way out of giving your money back. Many will proactively give you a voucher when they cancel your flight to discourage you from requesting a refund.

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Of the U.S. carriers, United is the worst offender here. It has made multiple updates to its schedule-change policy at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic before landing on its current version: If your flight is canceled, you can only get a refund if the re-accommodated flight departs or arrives more than six hours before or after your original flight.

And now, the Chicago-based carrier is back with a change to the process for claiming a refund for seat fees. Previously, if United couldn't accommodate a Premium Plus , Economy Plus or Preferred seating purchase, you'd be automatically refunded for that ancillary purchase. This made it easy for passengers to be reassured that they'd be getting all the money back that they deserve.

Well, United has made a change to that policy. Though you're still entitled to a refund for the seat fee, you now need to manually request your money back.

As noted in the carrier's updated Contract of Carriage , "the Passenger is eligible for a refund of this fee upon request" (emphasis mine). A United spokesperson confirmed to TPG that these changes are effective immediately.

To request your seat fee refund, you'll need to fill out United's refund form . You'll end up getting your money back within seven business days of when UA approves the claim (which anecdotally has been taking weeks).

Related: United updates its schedule policy, again, amid coronavirus pandemic

Though this is certainly annoying, at least the carrier isn't changing the refund policy like it did with schedule changes . As a reminder, you'll need to request your seat fee refund within 90 days of the date the seats were purchased or flight date, whichever is later.

All photos by the author.

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United Airlines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, & More

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United Ticketing Options

United frequent flyer program, baggage fees, united’s other fees & add-ons, how to avoid paying excess fees & travel expenses, united inflight amenities, most common complaints, consumer rankings, ratings, etc. , safety and performance, charity partnership, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

There’s no doubt you know United Airlines (and may have even flown with them before), but are you aware of their different fare types, the ins and outs of their baggage allowances, and all of their extra fees/add-ons? What about their seat specs and their consumer satisfaction ratings?

This helpful guide covers all you need to know about this large U.S. carrier so you hopefully won’t be caught unaware on your next flight.

In this post you’ll find a general company overview, ticketing/fare options, extra fees/add-ons (including baggage allowances ), cabin class amenities, seat specs, and more.

Airline: United Airlines

Alliance:  Star Alliance

Category:  Legacy domestic and international airline

Frequent Flyer Program: MileagePlus

Tag Line:  “Fly the Friendly Skies”

About/Mission Statement: “We are committed to providing a level of service to our customers that makes us a leader in the airline industry. We understand that to do this we need to have a product we are proud of and employees who like coming to work every day….” (source)

Daily Flights:  4,700

Main Hub:  Chicago-O’Hare International Airport ( ORD )

Destinations:  356 (including 125 international)

United’s fare types are pretty standard for a large U.S. carrier. But with stiff competition from lots of low-cost airlines, United recently introduced a Basic Economy fare — which pretty much just gets you a seat on the plane.

Handy for those traveling light, this reduced and restricted fare does not include any standard carry-on or checked luggage.

And for anyone part of United’s frequent flyer program (covered later on in this article), you won’t be eligible for premier qualifying miles that go toward your elite status when flying in this class.

Below are the additional differences in fare types and cabin classes, with inflight amenities covered later on in this article:

Basic Economy (most restrictive fare): 

• Pre-assigned seat before boarding
• Family or group seating not possible
• First checked bag costs an additional $120 (round-trip)
• Upgrades not available
• Changes or refunds not permitted

Economy (standard): 

• Seat selection at time of booking (if available)
• Customize your booking with other options

Economy (flexible):

• Refundable ticket (subject to cancellation fees)

Premium Plus:

• Spacious, larger seating with extra legroom
• Complimentary food and beverage
• Enhanced dining with complimentary food and beverage

The availability of certain cabin classes is dependent on the route and plane type. We’ve also covered how you can upgrade to business or first class on United Airlines .

Economy Plus

If you’re looking for a little extra legroom, you can upgrade your booking to Economy Plus. This will also seat you closer to the front of the aircraft so you can disembark quicker.

You can upgrade as a one-off, or subscribe to yearly upgrades when booking a regular economy ticket (where Economy Plus is available).

MileagePlus is United’s frequent flyer loyalty program where you can earn miles to redeem against reward flights and work your way up membership tiers to gain elite benefits, such as priority check-in and additional luggage.

These reward miles can also be used against flights with other Star Alliance members. You can earn miles through flying, shopping, dining out, and spending on certain credit cards.

Hot Tip: For more information, check out our article on United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program .

United Airlines Baggage Fees & Other Fees/Add-Ons

United Airlines Carry-On Allowance:

1 personal item: FREE 1 standard carry-on bag: FREE (including Basic Economy Transatlantic flights but excluding all other routes for basic economy)

United  Airlines Checked Allowance:

Max weight: 50lb (23kg) for all economy and premium plus fares and 70lbs (32kg) for business and first class fares.

Max size: 62 inches (158cm) linear

United recommends that passengers check their official baggage fee calculator tool to view baggage costs associated with their specific fare type.

We ran some basic route searches, and the fees appeared as the following (do a check on your specific fare before booking to confirm):

Domestic U.S. & Canada

• Economy (Basic, plus and standard): 1st bag $30, 2nd bag $40, 3rd+ bag $150
• Business and first: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $150

U.S. to/from Mexico

• Economy (Basic, plus and standard): 1st bag $30, 2nd bag $55, 3rd+ bag $180
• Business and first: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $180

U.S. to/from Europe

• Economy: 1st bag $0 (£60 for Basic Economy), 2nd bag $100, 3rd+ bag $200
• Premium Plus: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $200
• Business: 1st and 2nd bags free, 3rd+ bag $200
• First: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bags free; 4th+ bag $200

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:

Oversized Fee: $200 per bag (up to 115in/292cm)

Overweight Fee (route dependent):

• Bags 51-70lb: $100-$200 per bag
• Bags 71-100lb: $200-$400 per bag

MileagePlus Status weight allowance:

• Silver, Gold, Platinum, 1K: 70lb
• Star Alliance Gold (traveling in first, business or  United Polaris Business ): 70lb

Hot Tip: See our post on United Airlines baggage policy  which details specific baggage allowances for all types of cabin class, status and personnel such as the military. 

Service Fees

All reservations on United.com can be made without incurring a service fee. For other methods of booking made within the U.S. or Canada, the service fees are as follows:

By Phone: $25

City Ticket Office:  $30

At the Airport: $50

Reservations Made Outside of the U.S.: Fees vary according to country

Cancellation and Change Fees: (Cash Tickets)

• Domestic Cancellation Fee: $200
• International Cancellation Fee: Up to $400
• Waived for Gold, Platinum, and 1k members
• Cancellation : If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, no refund will be issued – but you can use the cost of the flight against a new ticket within 12 months.
• If your departure or arrival time changes by more than 30 minutes (due to a schedule change), you can change your flight at no extra cost or request a refund.

We’ve also gone into detail on United’s  award flight change & cancellation fees .

Seat Selection Fees

There is no charge to select a seat with United (where available), but you can opt for “Preferred seating” (closer to the front of the economy section) from $9 each way.

Economy Plus Upgrade: $16-$169 each way

Unaccompanied Minor Fee: $150 each way

Pet in Cabin Fee: $125 each way

Fare Holding Fees

If you’re not ready to book at the time of searching, then you can pay to reserve your fare using “Farelock.”

The fee varies by destination, but ranges from $5-$20 with the ability to hold a fare for either 3 or 7 days.

United Airlines Annual Subscription Fees

Economy Plus: From $499

Benefit from additional leg room and being closer to the front of the plane for quicker exiting when you reach your destination.

United Bundle Options

Bundles are offered during the reservation process combining different options, such as an Economy Plus upgrade and United Club trip pass. Prices vary per route, but United states that savings can be had by buying these bundles.

Wi-Fi: From $49

United Club Membership: From $550

Get access to all of the  United Club locations and select partner lounges.

Onboard Refreshments

For flights over 3 hours (within the U.S. and to/from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America) customers can order from the “Bistro on Board” menu serving items such as a chorizo breakfast sandwich, pepperoni deep dish pizza, or a mezze sampler with prices ranging from $6.99-$9.99 . Menu choices depend on the flight route.

On flights over 1.5 hours (within North America, including select Latin American destinations and the Caribbean, in addition to Singapore , Australia , and New Zealand ) customers can order from the “Snack Shop” serving sweet and savory nibbles and snack boxes. Prices range from $3.99-$9.59 .

Beer and wine are $8, while premium spirits range from $8-$9 and specialty cocktails will run you $10.

Onboard entertainment

Available on select Boeing 737 and 757-300 aircraft, customers can purchase access to DIRECTV with more than 100 TV channels plus movies.

This is complimentary for United first passengers, and $5.99 for United economy passengers on flights less than 2 hours ($7.99 for flights more than 2 hours).

Many travel rewards cards come with an annual airline credit and can be used to offset fees such as baggage fees, such as The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® Card  come with an annual $300 travel credit that can be used to offset almost  any  travel expense.

The cards below allow you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days):

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Capital One transfer partners
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

• No annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Ability to use transfer partners
• Fraud coverage
• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
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• The 5 Best First Credit Cards For Beginners [April 2024]

In addition, if you have the United Explorer℠ Card  you can get 1 free checked bag for you and a companion on your itinerary.

United Seat Specs & Inflight Amenities

United Airlines has 14 different types of aircraft with varying cabin classes and seat specs.

United Express operates a further 5 aircraft through its partner airlines. You can view the aircraft and seat specs here .

United Business & First

• Premium leather seat with extra space and comfort, featuring a headrest that adjusts 6 ways
• Storage space for personal items
• Universal AC power plug
• Mobile device holder
• United Wi-Fi (fee applies)
• Complimentary inflight beverages including beer, wine, spirits, and illy coffee
• DIRECTV with more than 100 TV channels plus movies
• Dining options in partnership with The Trotter Project

Polaris Business & First

• Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
• Sleep-inspired amenities (cotton pajamas on flights over 10 hours)
• Soho House’s Cowshed Spa skincare items
• Lie-flat beds
• 16″ HD monitor

Premium Plus

• Larger seat with more legroom, leg and footrests
• Complimentary beverages
• 13″ monitor
• Power and USB sockets
• Noise-reducing headphones

• Extra legroom
• Situated nearer the front of the plane for quicker disembarkation
• Eligible to earn Premier qualifying dollars
• All standard economy benefits

Economy (Basic and Standard)

• On domestic flights and to/from the Caribbean and Latin America, customers receive complimentary soft drinks (including illy coffee) and can purchase snacks/meals and alcohol.
• On international flights, customers receive complimentary food and beverages including house beer and wine
• Entertainment varies by aircraft (details can be found on the Inflight Amenities tab on United’s Flight Status page )

Hot Tip: Check out our post on United Airlines’ boarding policy so you’ll know what to expect from the boarding process as almost all airlines have a different procedure!

United Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a real mixed bag with United Airlines. Their social media channels and Tripadvisor reviews seem to attract many compliments from loyal customers, which is unusual as these outlets are often utilized to rant and rave about poor service!

Additionally, their PR team is pretty genius, sponsoring a number of great causes and shouting about their good deeds on social media — so even if the service was only mediocre for a customer, their philanthropic ways may improve consumer brand impression.

Lost baggage is a real gripe for United customers, being one of the most prominent issues on review sites. Also, inconsistencies of aircraft age can lead to disappointment in inflight amenities.

One customer complaint we found said they had experienced a seat-back entertainment system on once international flight and not on another. That’s going to disappoint any traveler.

United prides itself on their personal device entertainment, but this does rely on the customer having a smartphone/tablet at their disposal.

United Airlines had 1,169 complaints lodged against them from January-September 2018 according to the  September 2018 Air Travel Consumer Report . The chart below represents the complaints by category.

• Flight problems (cancellation, delay, or misconnection): 292
• Baggage: 185
• Customer service: 174
• Reservation, ticketing, boarding: 110
• Disability : 86
• Refunds: 45
• Oversales: 34
• Discrimination: 8
• Advertising: 5

There are a number of different review websites out there when it comes to airline ratings. Here are a few of the most popular so you can see the general consumer opinion for United Airlines.

Skytrax Ranking: 3 Star Airline (out of 5)

Skytrax Customer Rating:  3/10 (average from 2,594 reviews)

TripAdvisor Airline Review Rating:  3/5 (average from 36,791 reviews)

Kayak Customer Rating: 7/10 (average from 61,414 reviews)

AirHelp.com Overall Rating: 7.59/10 (departure/arrival performance, service, and satisfaction of claims processing)

Airlineratings.com Safety Rating :  7/7 (takes into consideration whether the airline has an IATA Operational Safety Audit Certification, government and crash records, plus information from the World’s Aviation Governing Body).

United Airlines supports numerous charities across their main hub locations and across the globe. It strives to be a more sustainable airline supporting environmental charities and operations such as Clean the World and Conservation International.

United also supports many youth projects, including Youth Guidance with the goal of inspiring future leaders.

Overall, customer satisfaction seems to be somewhere in the middle for United — and as with other legacy U.S. carriers, there will always be a place for the airline with reasonable fares and route availability.

United will never have the sass and style of Virgin Atlantic or the service and luxury of the Middle Eastern airlines, but it serves its purpose and does have a loyal customer base (although this may be dwindling slightly, with many referencing the “good old days” when United was great).

Their current focus seems to be on revamping their premium cabins, with their Polaris offering in business and first — but we’re hoping they don’t neglect economy for too much longer either.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What alliance is united apart of.

United is apart of Star Alliance partnership.

What is the United carry-on baggage allowance?

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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How to Use Travel Funds on United

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Like other major U.S. airlines, United provides travel funds for its customers. These can come about as a gift due to a canceled flight or other reasons. However, finding and using these funds isn’t the most intuitive experience. So let’s look at how to apply travel funds on United, where you can find them and the different types of travel funds.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Step-by-step guide to using your United travel funds

Applying your travel funds to a United flight is both easy and intuitive. First, you’ll want to search for a flight directly on the United site.

Your United funds can be used for any class of service, no matter which cabin you’d initially booked. At this point, you’ll select whichever flight suits your needs.

The next page will include your traveler information, including your name, birth date and frequent flyer info. This will all need to be filled out before continuing to the next page.

TravelBank funds can’t be used to pay the taxes and fees on an award flight.

Future flight credits: You could only apply one credit to each booking if these credits stemmed from a canceled flight. If you’ve received a future flight credit due to changing to a cheaper fare, you can combine multiple credits at once.

Electronic travel certificate: You can apply up to 10 of these to your booking.

You’ll need to click through seat selection and other bundle options to reach the checkout page.

You can either apply your travel credits or your TravelBank cash to your flight costs. As we noted above, how many you’ll be able to add to your booking will depend on the type you hold.

If your TravelBank balance doesn’t cover your total flight cost, United may allow you to cover the cost by combining TravelBank cash with:

MileagePlus Miles.

Credit cards.

Travel certificates.

How do you get United travel funds?

There are three major types of travel funds that you’ll find within your United account.

Future flight credit

When you cancel an eligible flight: Let’s say you purchased a nonrefundable flight in 2021 but needed to cancel it as government restrictions made it impossible to travel. United has eliminated change fees for most of its flights (excluding basic economy), including all those that originate in the U.S. In this case, you’ll receive future flight credit valid for later travel.

When you change your flight to a less expensive fare: If you need to alter your flight and the new fare is cheaper than the previous one, the remaining funds will become a travel credit.

Electronic travel certificate

When you volunteer for a bump: Airlines overbook their seats to maximize efficiency. However, they have too many passengers on the plane in some cases and need volunteers to take a later flight. You can earn a travel certificate for doing this.

As a gesture of goodwill: In some cases, United may be willing to offer you travel credits for future travel.

United TravelBank cash

Unlike airlines such as Delta, United doesn’t sell gift cards. Instead, it offers the United TravelBank. You can purchase TravelBank cash in six different increments, and there’s no limit to the amount of TravelBank funds you can buy each year. However, there is a limit of $5,000 per day on TravelBank purchases and they’re all nonrefundable.

You will need to be logged in to your MileagePlus account to purchase TravelBank cash.

» Learn more: Booking flights with points or miles expands refund option

Where can you see your United travel fund balance?

Searching for either of your United travel funds is simple. First, you’ll need to log in to your account using the “Sign In” button in the top right corner of the United homepage.

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll want to go to your main profile page. From here, you’ll want to select the Wallet dropdown:

This will show you all the different methods you have available to pay for your United tickets. For example, if you’re searching for flight credits from canceled flights, you’ll want to select Travel Credits. If you’re looking for United TravelBank funds, you’ll want to choose the TravelBank tab.

Future flight credits will display your confirmation number and the time you have left until your credits expire.

Your TravelBank balance is also available and will show how long you have before those funds expire.

» Learn more: Your guide to travel cancellation refunds and vouchers

How long are United travel funds good for?

Future flight credits: These credits can be used for up to a year after the original issue date of the ticket.

Electronic travel certificates: These are valid for up to 24 months after they were issued.

TravelBank cash: This credit is valid for five years from the date it was deposited into your account.

What can United travel funds be used for?

Future flight credits. These can be used for flights on United and partner-operated flights. You can also use these credits for other purchases such as Basic economy seat selection, Economy Plus seating and preferred seat selections. Future flight credits must be used by the person on the original ticket.

Electronic travel certificates. These have the same limitations as future flight credits. However, these certificates can be used by any traveler.

TravelBank cash. These funds are only applicable towards flights.

Can I use more than one certificate at a time?

The rules for applying travel funds will differ depending on which types you hold.

If you’re looking to use your United travel funds

United has three primary options for its travel funds, including future flight credits, travel certificates for canceled flights and purchased TravelBank cash. Apply these funds when purchasing a flight, though you’ll want to be aware of any limitations before you book.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-3x Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.