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Guide on How To Use United’s TravelBank

by The Frugal Tourist | Jan 6, 2024 | American Express , Travel , United | 22 comments

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In this blog post, I will walk you through the steps on how to fund and use United’s TravelBank.

Since some credit cards provide travel credits that expire within a year, depositing money in United’s TravelBank is a viable option to utilize those credits so they won’t go to waste.

Funds diverted into United’s TravelBank have a 5-year lifespan, offering some level of longevity and a lot of flexibility, especially since travel is not expected to pick up again anytime soon.

Whether you have plans this year or in the near future, funding your United TravelBank with free cash from your credit cards is a wallet-friendly strategy that can potentially save you a few hundred dollars when the time comes that you need to book your next flight.

United TravelBank 

According to United, your TravelBank funds can either be used alone or in combination with select forms of payment only when booking United or United Express flights .

Therefore, we are unable to use United TravelBank to purchase flight itineraries that include segments on partner airlines such as Air Canada, Lufthansa, etc.

I was also unsuccessful in tapping my TravelBank reserves to pay for taxes when booking an award ticket or paying additional fees to cover the airfare difference when redeeming a voucher or rebooking a travel credit.

However, I did not encounter any roadblocks when I booked paid United tickets, even if the airfare was Basic Economy .

Terms and Conditions   

The information below was taken from United.com

• Passengers can select from six purchase amount options, and once purchased, the value remains valid for five years from the date it is deposited in your TravelBank account. 
• Purchases are not refundable and are limited to $5,000 per day per MileagePlus account.
• This purchase is also subject to all of the TravelBank terms and conditions . 
• United has the right to terminate this promotion or to change the promotion’s terms and conditions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, benefits, and/or conditions of participation, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice.

Guide on How to Fund United’s TravelBank

Access United TravelBank by clicking the button below. You will need to log in to your United Mileage Plus Account to purchase. 

Do not have a United membership yet? 

It is free and easy to register. Click the button below to enroll in United’s Mileage Plus Program.

After logging in, you will see your United Mileage Account, any United miles you have available for redemption, and your TravelBank Cash Balance. 

Plus Points – a points system that passengers can utilize to upgrade their flights – will also show up, but we will not go over that in this post. You can read more about this program here.  

Select the amount of travel cash you want to purchase.

As previously stated, there are six possible amounts that you can elect to deposit to your TravelBank.

The next page will ask for you to type in your Payment Information.

In this case, you would want to use a credit card that provides an Airline Credit.

I will list these credit cards in one of the sections below.

You will then get confirmation that your purchase was successful. A receipt will be emailed immediately after as well.

In this example, I used my The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to buy $100 worth of travel cash in United’s TravelBank.

Guide on How to Use Your United Travel Bank Cash

Thankfully, we are generously given five years to spend our travel cash. 

Once you are ready to book your flight, log back on to your United.com profile and enter your travel details.

United TravelBank purchased using certain IHG Credit Cards has a shorter lifespan. Please check the terms of your IHG Credit Cards for the most current UnitedTravel Bank policy.

Select your particular flight, verify your personal information, and pick your seat.

Afterward, you will be directed to the Payment Page. 

Next, United will offer you travel insurance (select yes/no), priority boarding, and miles for purchase.

Regardless of whether you decide or decline to purchase these additional bells and whistles, the payment section comes right after.

You have the following payment options:

• Pay In Full
• Pay Monthly 
• Travel Certificates and United TravelBank Cash (if this option does not appear, then the ticket you’re buying is not a permitted purchase using travel cash.)
• Other Forms of Payments (PayPal, etc)
• Debit / Credit Card 

Select “Travel Certificates and United TravelBank Cash.” 

As you can see, my $100 travel bank deposit is already reflected in my account.

Next, enter the amount you want to use for the flight you wish to book.

It is not necessary to spend your entire stash of United travel cash if you have other plans to spend it later.

Once you have a final amount in mind, click apply.

In this example, I decided to spend $75 of the $100 currently in my United TravelBank.

After your travel cash is deducted, the total amount you still owe will automatically be calculated.

Continue with your purchase by selecting the mode of payment you want to use for the remaining balance.  

I highly recommend paying a portion of the flight with a credit card that offers travel protections, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.  

Alternatively, you can purchase travel insurance to cover your entire trip. 

Where Do I Find My TravelBank Account?

United has recently updated its website. You can find your United TravelBank account information and balance by navigating to your United Wallet on the app and the computer.

Troubleshooting Potential Issues

Issue 1: united travelbank does not show up.

A few readers have expressed that they are having difficulty locating the TravelBank option on United’s website.

It appears that United’s site is currently updating its payment page. When you see the notice below under “Payment Method, ” click the “find those payment options…” link.

This link will direct you to the “United Travel Options” section, where you can add travel insurance to your purchase. Make your selection.

Afterward, you will be directed to “Payment Information,” where the TravelBank option appears.

Click “Travel Certificates and United TravelBank Cash” and select Travel Cash as your mode of payment.

Type the amount you would like to spend.

As suggested, charge a small portion of your airfare on a credit card that provides travel insurance, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

You may also elect to purchase travel insurance for additional coverage.

Issue 2: United TravelBank Keeps On Freezing

While booking a plane ticket to Cabo costing $167.78 recently, I found the United website struggling to process my TravelBank payment, ultimately freezing the payment page.

After attempting various troubleshooting strategies, I eventually made it work by typing a whole number into the TravelBank box.

In this case, I redeemed $165 of my TravelBank credits towards the purchase of this ticket and used a credit card that gives travel protections ( Chase Sapphire Reserve® ) to cover the remaining amount ($2.78).

Issue 3: TravelBank is Unable to Add a New Credit Card (Payment Error)

United.com can only save a certain number of credit cards on your profile.

If the website is not allowing you to add another credit card to your United TravelBank account, you will need to log in to your main United.com account, go to “Wallet,” remove the credit cards that you no longer use, and then add the ones you would like saved.

Once your new credit card is linked, note the last four digits of your card and its expiration date so you can easily find it on your list of saved cards when you try to purchase United TravelBank funds again.

Issue 4: Unable to Purchase

As mentioned above, your United TravelBank funds can either be used alone or in combination with select forms of payment when booking United or United Express flights only.

When Do United TravelBank Funds Expire?

As of this update, TravelBank funds appear to expire after five years.

The screenshot below, captured from my TravelBank account, supports this assertion.

While the money deposited in our United TravelBank accounts has a 5-year validity, it can be forfeited if no activity is recorded in our TravelBank accounts for 18 consecutive months.

Therefore, ensure that you either add money to your TravelBank or use your TravelBank funds to purchase tickets at least once every 18 months.

Heads Up: United also stipulated that any re-deposited funds originating from canceled tickets purchased with TravelBank money do not qualify as an eligible activity. In short, any re-deposited funds will NOT reset the expiration date.

United may also change the expiration date of subsequent deposits or discontinue the program altogether. Only time will tell.

For now, this option to convert our credit card airline credits to some form of flexible currency is available, so certainly consider this method if you are running out of ways to redeem your expiring credits.

Which Credit Cards to Use?

You should only purchase TravelBank funds when you anticipate no other eligible travel-related purchases for the remainder of the year.

Chase Credit Cards

Chase sapphire reserve® (csr).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) comes with a $300 travel credit that resets every year on the card member’s anniversary date and does not roll over onto the following year; therefore, you either use it or lose it.

I do not recommend using your CSR travel credits to purchase funds on United’s TravelBank, given that Chase provides an extensive array of valuable avenues to redeem this credit. 

In addition to the traditional airfare purchase, you can also trigger the travel credit when paying for public transit, ride-sharing services, parking, hotels, campgrounds, cruises, etc. 

Citi Credit Cards

Citi prestige® credit card.

This card is no longer available to new applicants.

This credit card comes with a $250 travel credit, which can now be conveniently spent on groceries, restaurants, and take-out.

Like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this credit resets every calendar year and likewise does not roll over.

I do not suggest using your Citi Prestige travel credits to purchase United TravelBank funds because of other beneficial spending options you have at your disposal.

American Express   Credit Cards

American express® credit cards with airline fee credits.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($200 Annual Airline Credit)

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($200 Annual Airline Credit)

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($50 Quarterly Airline Credit)

American Express’s airline fee credit is challenging to redeem compared to Chase’s and Citi’s more flexible identical offerings.

In the past several years, consumers consistently find themselves jumping through hoops in search of effective methods to capitalize on these generous offers. 

First and foremost, Chase and Citi do not require activation – their credits apply to all airlines and other forms of travel.

Whereas Amex’s airline fee credit will not work unless you activate it.

Plus, it can only be used on one airline you pre-select, ideally at the beginning of the year.

Even though there are data points (DP) that Amex has been lenient in allowing the preferred airline to be changed via chat as of late, there is no way to predict until when they will allow this.

AMEX Airline Fee Credit Restrictions

AMEX has strict restrictions on what fees qualify under this credit. 

Technically, only incidental purchases, such as seat assignments, baggage fees, change fees, lounge access fees, and food/beverage inflight purchases, are eligible. 

As such, traditional expenses such as award fees, plane tickets, upgrades, and gift cards do not qualify.

But occasionally, we see additional methods that temporarily open up that trigger this airline fee credit – and for now, United TravelBank is one of them. 

While no language explicitly states this particular purchase will not qualify, I have to underscore that Amex can undoubtedly claw back this credit at any moment if they deem that TravelBank is not eligible. So, just be aware of that possibility. 

Hence, please utilize this tactic only if you do not anticipate using your airline fee credit throughout the rest of the year.  

Steps in Selecting Your Airline With Amex  

Before you go ahead with your purchase, follow the steps below on selecting your preferred airline, as AMEX does not make it simple to locate where to activate this benefit.

To optimize this TravelBank strategy, make sure that the airline you selected is United. 

Go to AmericanExpress.com, then log in to your account.

Select the particular AMEX credit card that currently offers an airline fee credit.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

On the main page, click “More, ” then select “ Benefits .”

On the Benefits page, scroll down to locate “ Airline Fee Credit. ” 

This is where you can also change your selected airline for the year. 

It bears repeating that you’re technically not allowed to change your preferred airline mid-year, so choose wisely.

With that said, there are data points from people reporting that they have successfully modified their airline choice by contacting AMEX through chat, but this is YMMV (your mileage might vary).

As of this writing, you can use your airline fee credit with the following U.S. carriers:

While on the Benefits page, enroll in all the offers available to you even if you are not sure you will use them. 

It is practically money you had already paid for when you paid your annual fee, so you might as well take advantage of it.

At any rate, maximizing this airline fee credit is a fantastic way to offset the steep annual fees Amex charges on their ultra-premium cards.

Add funds to your travel credit using your AMEX card.

If you are unsure how much airline credit you have left, AMEX generates a tracker under this benefit to display your remaining funds.

Periodically check your Amex credit card to see if the airline fee credit was successfully triggered.

If not, Amex has likely terminated this redemption method. 

Final Thoughts

Indeed, United’s TravelBank is a wonderful addition to the dwindling menu of possible purchases that can activate Amex’s elusive airline credit.

Being fully aware that this method is temporary, I try to take advantage of it while it’s still possible, especially when I am on the verge of running out of redemption alternatives for my Amex airline fee credit.

I hope that Amex follows Chase’s and Citi’s lead and relaxes this benefit, making it much easier to redeem in the future.

Until then, we will have to adjust to American Express’ policies.

Ultimately, I am glad that United’s TravelBank provides us with another fantastic alternative for using our travel credits.

Not only does it prolong the shelf-life of our funds, but it also affords us the flexibility we genuinely need. 

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE – Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. The content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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22 comments.

Bank of America Premium card also include benefits of $100 incidental travel credits, can I use it to purchase United Travel Bank fund too?

Hi Angie, I am not familiar with Bank of America rules but upon checking what qualifies under “incidental”, I got the following info: Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airline lounge fees – automatically applied to your card statement.

It seems to me that this is similar to Amex. I would suggest purchasing the lowest allowed denomination of $50 to see if it would trigger it but if you have anticipated travel in the near future, I suggest redeeming the credits there instead.

Hi, I booked the ticket and when I entered the payment page, there is no Travel Bank part, I got 200+ dollars in travel bank and cannot seem to use it. Why is this? I can only see “Travel certificates” instead of “Travel certificates and United Travel Bank Cash”. What should i do?

Hi Tristan, thanks for asking. Sorry about that. Not all purchases in United.com are eligible. I wonder if the ticket you are purchasing includes a partner airline. From the Terms and Conditions: “TravelBank Cash is valid for air travel purchases on United and United Express® flights and as otherwise permitted by United. After a TravelBank Award is issued, a service charge may be imposed for each change or cancellation requested by the Member.”

I have encountered this exact problem and I am definitely booking a United airline airfare (from LAX – EWR): any more update on this?

HI Cindy, I had updated the post with hopefully a potential solution to your problem. Jump to the section “What to do? United Travel Bank Does Not Show Up”. I tried your route (LAX-EWR) and the steps I outlined worked in making Travel bank re-appear! Good luck and please let me know if it worked for you too!

Thank you for this post and the very detailed instructions!!! Really helpful as I’ll be using this as long as we can get that $200 credit from Amex Plat!

Thank you Tony for the kind feedback. I am glad you found it useful. Please feel free to ask questions anytime.

Great information, thank you!

Thank you so much!

Its unfortunate you can’t use your Travel Bank just to upgrade your seat. Or pay for the bundles upon checkout

I am sorry! Sadly, it is just not as flexible 🙁 But United might make some changes in the future that will allow us to use it for incidentals.

Newbie to United Travel Funds.

Is it possible to use it for booking a ticket for anyone else, any restrictions?

You can book it for anyone else. When they cancel though, the travel credits will be under their account.

This article saved me 30mins! I was typing a non-whole number to use my United Travel Bank and it would NOT take it. Apparently, it needs to be a WHOLE NUMBER. Thanks for the tip!

Glad you found it useful!

Can you combine miles and a travel bank balance? I have 33k miles I need to use and $600 in travel bank credits.

Unfortunately, you can not mix miles and travel bank balance. I’d use the travel bank first if you find cheap tickets as those expire. United miles do not expire.

Hi, how long does the Amex Airline Credit usually take? It’s been a week now and my credits have not shown up yet.

HI Kunal. It’s been about 10 days, on average, for me.

I wanted to add that you Travel Bank does not come up as an option to pay if your flight involves a leg operated by a partner airline (eg. Swiss Air).

I called United to see if they could book the ticket but it errored out for the representative and he gave me that as the reason.

This might be helpful to incorporate in your article.

HI Stephanie, thank you for sharing. That’s correct. Apologies that it was not clear in the article. Yes, it is sadly for United and United Express flights only. I highlighted that part of the article and added additional language under Troubleshooting so it’s much clearer. Thanks so much again for the feedback and Safe travels!

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Why you may want to buy future United flight credits to earn a 5x miles bonus

Airlines are doing some interesting things to raise cash, while many would-be travelers are still on the ground. And while many of these sales and offers won't be a great deal for travelers who aren't sure when they'll fly next, there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes these offers can make sense in the right situation.

United has brought back the opportunity to deposit future flight credits into a TravelBank account. The airline has offered this type of account at various times in the past. Now, it's incentivizing travelers to put money in by Sept. 23 by awarding five bonus United miles per dollar spent as a special offer. You are limited to $1,000 (5,000 bonus miles) per promotion, per MileagePlus account.

For more TPG news and deals delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter .

Once you have funds in your account, they're available for use on United flights for five years. You can make deposits in the following denominations: $50, $100, $250 or $750.

In my tests, United TravelBank funds are available for immediate use -- which is different than some other airline gift cards that have a waiting period before you can use them. However, there are some potential downsides to consider before taking advantage of this offer.

Related: What it's like to fly in the U.S. right now

First, you can't stack TravelBank funds and credit from a previously canceled flight in the same transaction. You also can't use the funds on flights that aren't operated by United or United Express. Additionally, if you want built-in travel protections that may come from purchasing the trip with your credit card , you won't have those if you are using TravelBank funds to pay for the ticket. (Though you could likely still use a purchased trip insurance plan to cover your trip if you do go that route.)

I bought a little bit of United TravelBank credit to earn a bonus 5x redeemable United miles per dollar because I fly United frequently enough that I know it'll go to good use well before its five-year expiration date. I also paid with a credit card that has some unused 2020 airline fee credits ... just in case that happens to kick in.

Related: Guide to the United MileagePlus program

It won't make sense for everyone to stock up on United TravelBank credit to earn 5x miles on the purchase, but in my case, I was happy to buy a little bit of United credit -- and earn bonus miles in the process -- that I know I'll use in the coming months and years.

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United TravelBank Card: Closed to Applications, Replaced by United Gateway

The card was suited to those who didn't travel much, but who flew United when they did travel. But it did not offer flexibility or traditional airline-card perks.

• High rewards rate

No annual fee

• No foreign transaction fee

15.99%-22.99% Variable APR

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

$150 in United TravelBank cash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Ongoing APR

APR: 15.99%-22.99% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: 24.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee

• Earn 2% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United.
• Earn 1.5% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Enjoy 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United®-operated flights when you pay with your United TravelBank Card.
• TravelBank cash is easy to use. $1 in TravelBank cash = $1 when used toward the purchase of a United ticket.
• Your TravelBank cash accumulates in your United TravelBank account on United.com.
• $0 Annual fee

Compare to Other Cards

Detailed review: United℠ TravelBank Card

» this card is no longer available..

The United℠ TravelBank Card is no longer accepting applications. United Airlines and Chase have introduced a new credit card with no annual fee, the United Gateway℠ Card , which effectively takes the place of the TravelBank Card. Read our review of the United Gateway℠ Card , or explore other United Airlines credit card options . Below is our review of the United℠ TravelBank Card from when the card was still on the market.

If you fly United Airlines, the United℠ TravelBank Card might be tempting because of its annual fee of $0 . But it ultimately might not be worthwhile for most United flyers because of all that it lacks as an airline card.

The card has its own rewards currency that you can use to book free United flights. And its rewards rate is decent for both United spending and all other spending. It’s kind of like a cash-back card, where you can spend the cash only at United.

But you won't get free checked bags or early boarding like you do with many airline cards. And you won’t earn United MileagePlus miles, the airline’s frequent-flyer miles that have a chance at returning huge value.

If you want a card like this one, just get a true cash-back card . Then, you can spend your cash rewards on anything, not just United flights. Otherwise, ante up for a United card with an annual fee that comes with useful airline perks. There’s a good option in the United℠ Explorer Card .

» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

United℠ TravelBank Card : Basics

Card type: Airline .

Annual fee: $0 .

2% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United.

1.5% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Sign-up bonus: $150 in United TravelBank cash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Interest rate: The ongoing APR is 15.99%-22.99% Variable APR .

Noteworthy perks:

25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights when you pay with your card.

No foreign transaction fees.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Rental car insurance.

Purchase protection.

» MORE: Benefits of United Airlines credit cards

Benefits and perks

Simple rewards earning.

With a typical airline card, you earn frequent flyer miles or points with every purchase. You then redeem those rewards for free flights or seat upgrades. But frequent flyer programs can be exceedingly complicated. The number of miles you’ll need for a particular flight depends on an array of factors. On top of that, the flight you want might not have award seats available. And your preferred travel dates might be “blacked out” — that is, reserved for paying customers.

The United℠ TravelBank Card eliminates the whole idea of miles. Instead, you earn “TravelBank cash,” which is redeemable for travel with United on a simple dollar-for-dollar basis.

The card earns 2% back on United purchases and 1.5% back on everything else. A $500 United flight, for example, would earn $10 in TravelBank cash. A $500 purchase elsewhere would earn $7.50.

Simple rewards redemption

When booking a flight with United, you can pay some or all of the fare with your accumulated TravelBank cash rewards. Consider a ticket that costs $400. If you had at least $400 in TravelBank cash, you could use it to pay the entire fare. If you had only $50 in rewards accumulated, you could apply it to the fare and reduce the cost to $350.

Some travel credit cards have annual fees measured in hundreds of dollars, while the typical airline card often charges a fee of close to $100 per year. This card has an annual fee of $0 .

Sign-up bonus

For a simple credit card with an annual fee of $0 , it’s a pleasant surprise to have a sign-up bonus: $150 in United TravelBank cash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline cards

The United℠ TravelBank Card is light on flash compared with most travel cards, but it comes with minor perks:

In-flight discount: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights when you pay with the card.

No foreign transaction fees: Travel cards generally don’t charge a fee — 3% is common — for making purchases abroad. This United card doesn’t, either. And it uses the Visa network, which is widely accepted abroad.

Travel-related insurances: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance and secondary rental car insurance are nice-to-haves on an airline card.

Purchase protection: Covers new purchases made with the card for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

How it compares with other United cards

The United℠ TravelBank Card is one of three co-branded consumer United Airlines credit cards. Its siblings pack more perks.

Here’s how they compare on key features:

Business owners, even those with side gigs, might consider the United℠ Business Card .

» MORE: Full review of the United℠ Business Card

Drawbacks and considerations

No checked bags or early boarding.

At $35 per bag each way when you don't prepay, fees for first checked bags add up in a hurry, especially when you’re traveling with others on your itinerary. That’s why typical airline cards are so valuable. But this card has no checked-bag-fee waivers, so you’ll have to pay. And you won’t get boosted toward the front of the boarding line, because the card lacks a priority boarding perk. That could hurt you when looking for overhead bin space.

» MORE: Airline credit cards that offer free checked bags

The logical solution is the United℠ Explorer Card . It offers:

2 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on purchases from United.

2 miles per dollar spent on restaurant purchases and hotel stays.

1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

First checked bag free for you and a companion on your reservation, if you use the card to purchase your ticket.

Two United Club one-time use passes per year.

Global Entry/TSA Precheck statement credit every four years.

25% off in-flight purchases.

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

It has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

» MORE: Full review of the United℠ Explorer Card

You won’t earn United MileagePlus miles with this card. That keeps things simple, but you also lose the potential to reap outsize value by scoring a great awards seat — like a business-class international fare worth thousands of dollars — for relatively little spending.

Fewer benefits

Some airline cards give you perks at the airport. They might reimburse you the application cost of Global Entry or TSA Precheck to get through security lines quicker, or get you free or discounted passes to an airport lounge.

This card offers none of those.

» MORE: Cards that offer airport lounge access

Limited reward redemptions

Redeeming rewards is relatively simple, but you’re still locked into United Airlines. That's limiting compared with general travel credit cards , which allow you to apply rewards to a wide range of travel-related expenses.

An option for those looking to avoid an annual fee is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card .

1.5 points per dollar spent.

3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.

A value of 1 cent per point when redeemed for travel credit and a little over half a cent per point for cash.

A sign-up bonus.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card isn't tied to an airline or hotel chain. Book travel any way you want, with no restrictions and no blackout dates, and then use points to wipe out the cost on your statement. Bank of America® also has one of the broadest definitions of "travel" of any major issuers. You can use points to get credit for airfare, hotel stays, cruises, car rentals, campgrounds, art galleries, amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums and zoos.

» MORE: Full review of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

This card earns bonus rewards in multiple categories, including dining and travel. You can transfer points on a 1:1 basis to about a dozen hotel and airline programs, including United, or you can use them to book travel through Chase at 1.25 cents per point. However, you won't get any airline-specific perks. Annual fee: $95 .

How to decide if it's right for you

The United℠ TravelBank Card offers a simpler way to earn free flights on United Airlines for casual flyers committed to that airline. But honestly, you’re better off with a cash-back credit card .

If you spread your flying among a number of carriers or want more flexibility, consider a general travel credit card . United loyalists are likely to get more value from the United℠ Explorer Card .

Information related to the United℠ TravelBank Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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Methodology

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Your United TravelBank funds may expire a lot earlier than you think

Posted by The Points Pundit | Jan 5, 2021 | Airlines , Deals | 3

Image Credit: Unsplash

For many in this hobby, using travel credits is often a tough task. Over the last few months, we’ve seen many blogs report how United’s Travel Bank can be an option to use up your airline free credit. However, you’ll need to keep the terms and condition in mind before you load up your United TravelBank account with funds.

United TravelBank

Over the last few months, many data points have indicated that this has worked successfully for many people in different denominations, right from a $50 load to a $250 load across different card products and issuers. However, unlike United’s MileagePlus miles which no longer expire, United’s Travel Bank funds do expire .

Expiration Dates

You’ll need to remember two sets of rules here. Firstly, the T & C’s that determine when your individual travel fund loads will expire. As soon as you load an amount to the Travel Bank, you can use that amount for five years on any United operated flight. The flight must be on United metal. However, you can use your travel bank funds to book flights for someone else.

Members can choose from six purchase amount options and once purchased the value remains valid for five years from the date it is deposited in your TravelBank account. Purchases are not refundable and are limited to $5,000 per day per MileagePlus account. This purchase is also subject to all of the  TravelBank terms and conditions .

These funds expire in batches, on a rolling basis every five years. Here’s a snapshot of how it looks in my account.

Secondly, there are T & Cs that also determine travel fund expiration due to inactivity.

As a general rule (and unless stated otherwise by United under the terms of a particular offer or the terms of certain qualifying activity as determined by United from time to time) all accrued TravelBank Cash in an Account is subject to expiration and/or forfeiture for any Member who fails at any time to engage in Account Activity (as defined above) for a period of eighteen (18) consecutive months. United may, but shall have no obligation to, send a Member a notification of TravelBank Cash nearing or subject to expiration.

The Pundit’s Mantra

While United TravelBank is a great option to use your credits, you’ll need to keep a couple of things in mind. Firstly, the funds you load will expire every 5 years, but in batches. Secondly, if your TravelBank account has no activity for 18 months, you may lose all the funds in your account. Moreover, United may or may not send you any notification about expiring funds well in advance.

I hope this post was able to shed light on the complexities of travel bank fund expiration. While this option is great, the last thing you’d want is to load thousands of dollars into it and lose all the funds due to lack of activity for 18 months.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The American Express Gold Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points. You’ll earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in the first 6 months after you’re approved for the card.

Moreover, the card offers lucrative bonus earning categories, benefits and credits.

• 4x points on dining (including takeout and delivery) and grocery spend
• 3x points on flights
• $120 dining credit annually
• $120 Uber Eats/Uber credit annually
• $100 airline credit (ends on December 31, 2021)
• No foreign transaction fees

Never miss out on the deals, analysis, news and travel industry trends. Like us on  Facebook , follow us on  Instagram  and  Twitter   and get the latest content!

Disclosure:  The Points Pundit receives NO compensation from credit card affiliate partnerships. Support the blog by applying for a card through my personal referral links . This article is meant for information purposes only and doesn’t constitute personal finance, health or investment advice. Please consult a licensed professional for advice pertaining to your situation.

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Ashish's quest to travel the world was fueled by an insatiable appetite to experience language, culture, people and music all over the world. By using miles, points and loyalty programs astutely, he has now traveled to 6 continents! A marketing executive by profession, he leverages his marketing acumen to analyze the business side of loyalty programs and travel industry trends.

More Posts from The Points Pundit

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Does the 18 month account activity requirement still apply? I can’t find the clause in the terms and conditions.

I’m almost at 18 months no activity, so am worried about expiration

[…] Your United TravelBank funds may expire a … – TravelUpdate […]

Here are my TB purchases: 01/04/2021 $100.00

01/04/2021 $100.00

01/02/2021 $50.00

10/18/2020 $50.00

10/18/2020 $100.00

So does that mean my earliest TB deposit on 10/18/20 will expire on 4/18/22? I heard the 18 month thing was phased out, but the verbage is still there on the T&C. If I buy another $50 TB on 4/17/22, then do ALL of my TB then reset to expire 18 months from that purchase date? (e.g. 18 mos from 4/17/22)?

Or Can I just book a fully refundable ticket for $400 (my total TB amount) and then refund it after a couple days?

[…] 资金过期规则一直有点迷惑，根据 TravelUpdate […]

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What Credit Cards Still Have Priority Pass Dining?

Major changes to the hilton honors american express business card, premium chase cards lose airport dining access, robinhood gold card (3% cash back): what you need to know, sweet spots in the new alaska mileage plan, delta ending 2,500 mile / 20 minute baggage guarantee (reports), american jacks up cost to check a bag, major turkish miles & smiles devaluation, the status match merry go round™ explained (using both hotel and…, 2x hyatt elite nights at thompson hotels and dream hotels (until…, hyatt / slh partnership ends may 15th, 2024, wynn status match / tier match is on, boost your marcus savings yield with a referral, stacking the ua travelbank credit from the ihg business card.

The IHG Premier Business Credit Card comes with a somewhat odd perk. You receive $25 in United Airlines TravelBank credit twice a year, for a total of $50 in annual credits. But because they are given twice a year, 6 months apart, and each expire after 6 months, it can be hard to use in a meaningful way.

If you fly UA all the time, this is just an easy $25 twice a year. However, if you are an infrequent flyer on UA, one or both of these is likely going to expire each year, thanks to the expiration policy:

Each calendar year, the primary cardmember will receive one $25 United® TravelBank cash deposit in their United MileagePlus® account on or about January 1, and another $25 United® TravelBank cash deposit on or about July 1.

TravelBank Cash that is received as part of this benefit and deposited between January 1 and June 30 will expire on July 15 of the same calendar year, regardless of deposit date. Deposits made between July 1 and December 31 will expire on January 15 of the following calendar year, regardless of deposit date.

You’ll note, however, that there is a 15 day overlap from “around” July 1 to “around” July 15th each year. The way to save these credits is to take that overlap time to book a ~$50 flight, wait until the risk-free 24 hour cancellation period ends, and then cancel the ticket for a Future Flight Credit .

I’ll walk you through how I did this – although I had an extra $25 on hand from last year due to a delay in getting my first TravelBank credit after receiving the card due to a system glitch.

For me, with $75, I hunted for a fare that I expected could be around $75 one way. I figured a short route like LAX-LAS (or maybe LGA-DCA, etc) would do the trick and I nailed it with an LAS-LAX flight for $74.90.

At checkout, I applied my TravelBank funds.

As you can see I owed nothing, but banked $74.90 into a ticket.

This might not be a life changing travel hack, but instead of having to actually use two random $25 credits before they expire, you can “bank” them for a full year.

But the best part is that, in July, I’ll get another $25 credit which I can of course combine with my future flight credit. So in my case, I can book a free $100 flight (or save $100 on a flight) from July onwards as long as I fly by Jan 7th, 2024. The only hitch here (as pointed out to me by several members of our Facebook group) is you cannot combine a Future Flight Credit with a TravelBank credit, so you’d have to find a $25ish flight, do the same thing, and use both Future Flight Credits (which can be combined).

In a normal case, you’d have $50 from one of the overlapping period, book a $50 fare (or as close as you can), then do the same again 6 months later and then combine those future flight credits when you book a flight.

And that is how we take a lackluster benefit and use it a bit more advantageously 🙂

IHG Premier Business Credit Card

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Choice hotels (and therefore citi thankyou) points just got better, point.me offering 15% off award bookings – including credits for later.

Great hack! Wow I would have never thought of this one. Fabulous work!

Can you combine the FFC with travel bank credits, though?

You should be able to use the TBCs at checkout after applying the flight credit (I think!) There have even been reports of people getting agents to turn the flight credit into a TravelBank credit though I do not know how rare.

So there 2 overlap periods to try to bank your $50 credit – first 2 weeks in Jan and Jul?

Exactly right,

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Bank of Canada interest rate announcement and release of the Monetary Policy Report

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, the Bank of Canada will announce its decision on the target for the overnight rate. A press release will provide a brief explanation of the decision. The Bank will also publish its quarterly Monetary Policy Report (MPR) at the same time as the rate decision.

09:45 (Eastern Time)

At 07:00 (ET), journalists are invited to review the rate announcement press release and the MPR, under embargo, at the Bank’s head office in Ottawa. Please use the Bank of Canada Museum entrance, located at 30 Bank Street (corner of Bank and Wellington), and bring photo ID.

For security reasons, journalists wishing to attend must confirm their presence by contacting Media Relations before noon (ET) on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Those who have not registered will not be admitted to the lock-up.

At 09:45 (ET), the lock-up ends and the embargo is lifted.

At 08:30 (ET), senior Bank officers will provide background information and respond to questions on the content of the MPR. Information gathered at the session may be used freely in news reports and commentaries, provided it is not attributed to the Bank or its officers. Electronic recording is not permitted.

The rate announcement press release and the Monetary Policy Report will be available at 09:45 (ET) on the Bank’s website .

At 10:30 (ET), Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, and Carolyn Rogers, Senior Deputy Governor, will hold a press conference in the Bank of Canada’s auditorium. The opening statement will be available on the Bank’s website at 10:30 (ET).

For security reasons, all media wishing to attend must register with the Bank in advance.To register, please contact Media Relations before 17:00 (ET) on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Journalists, camera operators and still photographers who have not registered will not be admitted to the press conference.

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Money blog: Streaming platform copies Netflix in crackdown on password-sharing

We've enlisted expert help to investigate whether it's more difficult to secure a mortgage if you're self-employed. Read this and more in the Money blog, your place for personal finance news. Leave a comment on stories we've covered, or a question for our experts, in the form below.

Friday 5 April 2024 19:00, UK

• Disney+ to crack down on password-sharing
• How much harder is it to get a mortgage if you're self-employed?
• Your guide to buying healthier fruit juice for your children - without breaking the bank
• Uber users to get new alert when they get in car
• British Savings Bonds announced in the budget go on sale - but experts aren't convinced
• What makes up the cost of a £6 pint - and how much is profit?
• How to make your money work harder while it's sitting in your current account
• All the places kids can eat cheap or free this Easter break

Ask a question or make a comment

Senior doctors in England have voted to accept an improved government pay deal, bringing to an end the year-long dispute which had led to strike action.

The British Medical Association (BMA), a trade union which has been representing the consultants, put the offer on pay and conditions to its members, with 83% voting in favour.

The pay deal includes changes to the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration (DDRB) and a 2.85% (£3,000) uplift for those who have been senior doctors for four to seven years, said the BMA.

The offer is in addition to the 6% awarded during the DDRB process last summer.

You can read more here ...

Administrators to The Body Shop are drawing up plans to salvage a future for one of Britain’s best-known high street brands.

Insolvency practitioners at FRP Advisory have outlined proposals to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that would see The Body Shop entering talks with landlords about rent cuts, as well as other creditors, Sky News has learnt.

According to proposals sent to The Body Shop's creditors on Friday morning, which lay bare the depths of the financial problems inherited by the investor which bought the company less than four months ago, a CVA would "allow the company to be rescued and exit from administration".

This would see it continuing to trade under the ownership of Aurelius, the investment firm which took control of it at the start of the year.

Read more in our City editor Mark Kleinman's  full story .

The crisis enveloping Thames Water has deepened after its holding company announced it had been unable to meet a debt repayment.

Kemble Water said it missed an interest payment that was due on Tuesday.

The firm said it had asked its lenders to take no immediate action so as to "provide a stable platform while all options are explored".

The announcement paves the way for a potential restructuring of Thames Water, which serves nearly a quarter of Britain's population.

You can read more about that here .

The UK's largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic, has completed a rescue deal to buy Vagabond from administration.

On Friday, Majestic confirmed it had completed the acquisition of the wine bar chain, which will secure the future of nine Vagabond venues and 171 workers.

The bar firm's "underperforming" site in Canary Wharf has not been bought and will be closed.

Vagabond's two sites at Gatwick Airport are also not included in the deal.

The average UK house price fell by approximately £2,900 month on month in March, according to Halifax.

The typical property value fell by 1%, having risen 0.3% in February.

Average property prices landed at £288,430, said Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages.

"That a monthly fall should occur following five consecutive months of growth is not entirely unexpected, particularly in view of the reset the market has been going through since interest rates began to rise sharply in 2022.

"Despite this, house prices have shown surprising resilience in the face of significantly higher borrowing costs."

Prices remain almost £50,000 above pre-pandemic levels, she added.

Nicky Stevenson, managing director at estate agent group Fine & Country, said: "An increasingly busy property market helped to prop up prices on an annual basis at the beginning of spring, but the monthly fall shows there is still some turbulence."

Once an interest rate cut appears on the horizon, demand should "push UK prices 3% higher this year", said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at estate agent Knight Frank.

British billionaire Joe Lewis has avoided a jail sentence after admitting he orchestrated an insider trading scheme that helped those around him make millions.

The former Tottenham Hotspur owner, who lives in the Bahamas, tipped off his girlfriend, friends, and two of his private pilots with inside information on four publicly-traded companies, which they used to get rich, prosecutors in New York said.

In January, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud, admitting in court he had known he was breaking the law.

Read more here...

Savers wishing to use their annual ISA allowance have until the end of today to do so.

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April, so those wishing to maximise their tax-free savings must deposit £20,000 by the deadline.

An ISA, or individual savings accounts, allows you to save money without having to pay tax on any interest gained.

If you are unsure about whether you have any ISA allowance left for this tax year, check with your provider.

A new allowance will begin tomorrow for the tax year 2024-25.

You cannot roll over any unused allowance so it is important to utilise your full yearly allowance if you can.

Want to know more? Read on here... 

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series over the coming months, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen, founder of Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, rather how to get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This week we're having a look at  juices - the staple of the lunchbox. 

The NHS recommends children between the ages of four and six should have no more than 19g of sugar a day and ages seven to 10 no more than 24g.  

"But would you believe a standard apple juice carton (200ml) contains over 22g of sugar," Sunna says - equal to five teaspoons. 

That's nearly a child's daily intake in a single carton.  

"It might seem like the healthier option at a glance, because it’s just fruit juice and sure, it's natural fruit sugar, but remember those are concentrated doses without the fibre of whole fruit," Sunna says.

Many reach for juice cartons labelled "no added sugar" or "sugar-free" - but here's where we hit a speed bump. 

"These options contain the same artificial sweeteners as diet soft drinks, which, while cutting down on sugar, introduce their own set of concerns for parents," Sunna says. 

"From affecting taste preferences to unnecessary chemicals, they're not the golden ticket to healthy hydration we might hope for."

The alternative

"I look for juice cartons that strike a balance without breaking the bank," Sunna says. 

He suggests aiming for options with lower natural sugar content that are diluted with water to keep the sweetness in check without resorting to additives.

"This way, you're not just quenching thirst - you're also fostering healthier hydration habits," he says.

"The secret I've discovered upon my many journeys down the supermarket aisles is Cawston Press." 

The company offer a "pressed fruit shaken with water" range that is as low as 45% juice.

"That makes a 200ml carton 8.8g of sugar - over a 50% reduction in their standard juice carton sugar intake."

The nutritionist's view - from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food, and health sciences at Teesside University...

There are some accurate suggestions here. 

Additionally, the message should be to stay away from these juices as they are undoubtedly contributing to the tooth decay and obesity issues. 

It's difficult, though, to achieve especially with children so, as suggested, look for the lowest sugar content with nothing artificial added as stated.

This range of Cawston Press is 32p per 100ml or £1.90 for a pack of three in Tesco.

Slightly more expensive are Innocent smoothies at 47p per 100ml or £7 for a 10 pack.

Fruit Shoot, which uses  Sucralose and Acesulfame K as sweeteners, comes in cheaper at 22p per 100ml or £3.60 for an eight pack.

Working that over the course of a year with a juice carton a day:

• Fruit Shoot is £164.25 a year
• Cawston Press is £231.16
• Innocent is £255.50

Even though there are cheaper alternatives, Sunna suggests that the extra cost is an investment in your health. 

By picking Cawston Press over Innocent you can save nearly £25 a year and reduce your kids' sugar intake by 3kg every 12 months. 

"Good for your wallet and great for their health," Sunna says. 

In response to our article, Innocent told us: "We're on a mission to make it easier to live well through the delicious goodness of fruit and veg. 

"We know that most of us need to get more of it into our diets and our juices and smoothies are packed full of fruity goodness. We don't add sugar - we never have, and we never will - so our products only contain the same natural sugar as you’ll find in fresh fruit and veg.

"Our 'innocent kids' range of juices and smoothies are made from 100% crushed fruit and veg, contain at least one micro-nutrient, and count towards one of your five a day.

"All our kids' smoothies are available in the recommended 150ml portion and are less than 100kcals per wedge allowing our customers to enjoy the drinks in moderation."

A Fruit Shoot spokesperson told us: "Fruit Shoot is all about offering healthier consumer choices, which is why over the years we've worked to reformulate Fruit Shoot to reduce calories without compromising on taste."

"Fruit Shoot contains sugar from real fruit complemented by permitted sweeteners - providing the taste consumers love."

Cawston Press said: “Our Cawston Press Fruit Waters are a blend of not-from-concentrate fruit juice shaken with still water and made with natural ingredients, meticulously crafted to meet the high standards of school approval. 

"As with all Cawston Press juices, our Fruit Waters are made simply with pressed fruit, and are free from artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives with no added sugars - what we call No Jiggery Pokery. The sweetness of Cawston Press' Fruit Waters comes solely from the pure juices of the pressed fruit, nothing else."

Disney+ is set to crack down on password-sharing.

Chief executive Bob Iger told CNBC the streaming platform would start taking action against the behaviour from June in some countries, before a "full rollout" in September.

Password sharing refers to users who share their log-in details with family and friends who are not in the same household, enabling them to access content without paying for it.

The crackdown would be "our first real foray into password sharing" to "turn this business into a business that we feel really good about", Mr Iger said.

Disney's decision comes after fellow streaming giant Netflix attributed a recent jump in subscribers to its own action on password sharing.

"Netflix is the gold standard in streaming," Mr Iger said.

"They've done a phenomenal job and a lot of different directions. 

"I actually have very, very high regard for what they've accomplished. If we can only accomplish what they've accomplished, that would be great."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

The price of oil has continued to shoot up this morning - meaning the cost of petrol at the pumps in Britain is at risk of rising further in the coming weeks.

A barrel of Brent crude topped $91 (£72.10) at one point this morning - its highest level since October.

The price has since eased back slightly to $90 (£71.30) a barrel, but that is still the highest it has been in months.

It comes as tensions ramp up in the Middle East amid fears of a wider escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

Investors have also been growing increasingly jittery about global supplies after another Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian oil refinery earlier this week.

Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 is down 1% this morning amid the geopolitical tensions - though oil and gas stocks have risen 0.3% (no surprise there).

On the currency markets, £1 will buy you $1.26 US or €1.16, down slightly on yesterday's rates.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'It's harder to get a mortgage if you're self-employed'

We've enlisted the help of Pete Mugleston , managing director and mortgage expert Online Mortgage Advisor, and to help us get to the bottom of this one, he's outlined two examples. 

"By looking at the two hypothetical individuals, Person A and Person B, I aim to outline the differences and nuances of securing a mortgage under two very different circumstances," he says.

Person A: Self-employed - annual income £60,000

Person A is a self-employed professional with an annual income of £60,000. 

They run their own business, providing services directly to clients and managing their finances independently. 

"In the realm of mortgage applications, self-employed individuals like Person A face a unique set of challenges, especially if they do not have the required proof of accounts readily available," Pete says. 

When it comes to securing a mortgage, lenders typically rely on financial documents to assess an applicant's income stability and affordability.

"For self-employed individuals without the necessary proof of accounts, the road to mortgage approval can indeed become more arduous."

Without the required documents such as two to three years of certified accounts, SA302 forms and business accounts, Person A might find themselves facing several obstacles...

"One potential hurdle is the possibility of a larger deposit requirement - lenders often view self-employed applicants without sufficient financial documentation as higher risk," Pete says.

"To mitigate this risk, they may request a more substantial deposit, possibly ranging from 20% to 25% of the property's value."

For the average UK property, with the value sitting at around £263,600, that deposit could range between £52,700 and £65,900 - a far cry from the more reasonable 5-10% deposit.

However, in some cases, lenders may consider Person A's past and projected future earnings. 

If they can demonstrate a history of consistent income through bank statements, contracts of future work or other evidence, this may strengthen their case. 

"However, this process can be complex and may not guarantee approval," Pete says. 

Lenders also assess the stability of income for self-employed individuals. 

Unlike salaried employees with predictable monthly earnings, self-employed individuals may experience fluctuations in income due to seasonality, market changes or other factors. 

"This variability can raise concerns for lenders, who want assurance that the borrower can consistently meet mortgage repayments," Pete says.

"Without the required proof of accounts, Person A's journey to securing a mortgage may involve more stringent requirements, additional scrutiny of income, and a potential need for a larger deposit."

Person B: Employed full-time - annual income £40,000

Now let's turn our attention to Person B, who is employed full-time with an annual income of £40,000. 

Person B holds a traditional job, receiving regular payslips and tax deductions through the PAYE system. 

"In the eyes of mortgage lenders, Person B represents a more straightforward case compared to Person A, despite earning £20,000 less per annum," Pete says.

"For employed individuals like Person B, the process of obtaining a mortgage tends to be smoother. 

"Person B can easily provide payslips, P60 forms and other employment-related documents to verify their income." 

These documents offer a clear and consistent picture of earnings, making it easier for lenders to assess affordability.

"With a reliable income stream and documented financial history, Person B may qualify for standard deposit requirements, typically ranging from 5% to 20% of the property's value."

Lenders can conduct a straightforward affordability assessment for Person B based on their documented income. The process usually involves multiplying their annual salary by a standard factor (often four to 4.5 times) to determine the maximum mortgage amount.

"In comparison to the self-employed Person A, Person B's path to mortgage approval is generally smoother, with fewer hurdles related to income verification and deposit requirements," Pete says. 

While employed individuals like Person B benefit from easily verifiable income and standard procedures, self-employed individuals such as Person A face a more challenging path, particularly in circumstances where they have less than the required proof of accounts.

In summary...

This one is no myth. 

"For self-employed individuals, the key lies in meticulous financial preparation, including maintaining accurate accounts, saving for a potentially larger deposit and providing additional evidence of income stability," Pete says. 

You can also seek professional help if required. 

With all that in mind, the money must here if you are self-employed is to be well-prepared!

The next time you order an Uber, you might notice something different.

The company is introducing a new safety feature that will remind you to put your seatbelt on.

When your trip starts, the driver's Uber app may sound an alert so you don't forget.

At the same time, your own Uber app will receive a push notification, with another reminder to buckle up.

"You can expect to receive these reminders on a regular basis," Uber says.

"Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to help keep you and any fellow riders safe. We understand that some riders may have medical exemptions from wearing a seat belt."

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