Jan 8, 2014, 8:56 am
Last edit by: mooper
Read this primer first
eGift Card (eCert) details
For other airlines: AS Thread | B6 Thread | HA Thread | UA Thread | WN Thread
- In the Amex Membership Rewards family, both the Consumer and Business versions of the Platinum and Centurion cards qualify for a $200 airline credit. The Premier Rewards Gold (PRG) card is eligible for a $100 airline credit.
- You must click here to select Delta as your enrolled airline before you make a reimbursable purchase, else the benefit won't apply. The feature is activated immediately upon airline designation.
- If you've selected DL in the past and don't wish to change airlines, there's no need to select again; current selection rolls into future years until modified.
- Reported reimbursed incidental charges have included baggage and other service fees, award and change fees (incl standby, SDC), taxes, in-flight purchases (not WiFi), lounge access fees, EC upgrade (seat assignment) fees, priority boarding fees, Delta mileage booster fees, and DL eGift Cards/eCerts (see section below). Charges not posted by Delta (e.g., partners) are not eligible. Note that the Global Entry fee reimbursement is a separate benefit in addition to the $200 Delta incidentals reimbursement.The T&Cs state the eligible charges, but YMMV, so don't call and ask.
- The credit is per account, not per card. If the main account has authorized users with additional cards, eligible charges may still be made on those cards, but they'll count jointly towards the same account limit.
- Credits are capped per calendar year, meaning you could tap the full amount on Dec 31st and again on Jan 1st in the extreme. Transaction date, not posting date, determines the year.
- You will get a partial credit to bring your total annual reimbursements to the limit exactly if a qualifying charge takes you past the limit.
- Credit posting delays range from several business days (typical) to several weeks (seen in Oct 2015). The T&Cs state that it could take up to four weeks, so wait at least that long before worrying, and certainly don't contact Amex prematurely. After four weeks, if you've read this Wiki carefully and posted here seeking assistance but the credit still has not arrived, consider chatting with Amex online. Politely mention the "Delta extras" you thought would be reimbursed within four weeks and they'll handle it.
eGift Card (eCert) details
- Delta eGift Cards (eCerts) qualify for reimbursement. The name on the eCerts doesn't matter and need not match your card, but you must purchase using an eligible Amex card and meet the other criteria detailed in this Wiki.
- Denominations over $50 will not generate the credit. Multiple $50 eCerts will. The smallest denomination available is $50.
- To order, use this direct link to the eGift cert order page, or navigate via Delta.com>Shop>eGift Certificate.
- No need to place separate orders using multiple carts/checkouts. By adding multiple certs to one order (e.g., 4 x $50), even though they are in the same cart, the certs will post as separate transactions and still generate a credit for each.
- eCert purchases may initially authorize (show pending) as ticket purchases before posting to (finalize on) your statement. Multiple-eCert orders may authorize the combined value as a single pending ticket purchase. Don't worry. They will later post as separate eCert charges in the qualifying amounts.
- eCerts are generated instantly, but the codes are not valid for use until 72 hours after purchase, so don't order expecting to use them in a pinch.
- A maximum of three eCerts may be redeemed per online transaction. Splitting a round-trip into two one-ways will allow you to use additional eCerts.
For other airlines: AS Thread | B6 Thread | HA Thread | UA Thread | WN Thread
Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only [2011 - 2015]
Sep 9, 2013, 1:58 pm
#361
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
Sep 9, 2013, 9:19 pm
#362
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
For what it's worth, I bought a $50 eGC on Delta's site Thursday before labor day weekend. I received a refund the following Wednesday. Sounds like $50 is the refund limit to stay under the radar.
Sep 9, 2013, 10:12 pm
#363
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
Thanks for the data point!
Sep 19, 2013, 12:42 pm
#364
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 466
Bought a $95 e-certificate a few weeks ago, never saw a credit. The charge was clearly categorized as a "gift certificate," so I figured I was out of luck. I called card services today for another reason, and thought I'd mention this to them anyways.
Customer service put in a manual request for reimbursement a few days ago, and I'm seeing the credit now.
Customer service put in a manual request for reimbursement a few days ago, and I'm seeing the credit now.
Sep 23, 2013, 5:40 am
#365
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 175
Using airline fee reimbursement for eGC's not worth it
Although you can get $50.00 eGift Certificates with the $200.00 airline fee reimbursement, it's hardly worth it. You cannot do anything with them other than to apply them toward the actual airline ticket price, and you are limited to applying 3 certificates per ticket. Effectively, you are really getting $150.00 off the price of one purchased ticket and $50.00 off a second, assuming you use the reimbursement for four $50.00 eGifts..
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
Sep 23, 2013, 1:46 pm
#366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Although you can get $50.00 eGift Certificates with the $200.00 airline fee reimbursement, it's hardly worth it. You cannot do anything with them other than to apply them toward the actual airline ticket price, and you are limited to applying 3 certificates per ticket. Effectively, you are really getting $150.00 off the price of one purchased ticket and $50.00 off a second, assuming you use the reimbursement for four $50.00 eGifts..
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
Sep 23, 2013, 2:04 pm
#367
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Programs: All major programs
Posts: 1,403
Although you can get $50.00 eGift Certificates with the $200.00 airline fee reimbursement, it's hardly worth it. You cannot do anything with them other than to apply them toward the actual airline ticket price, and you are limited to applying 3 certificates per ticket. Effectively, you are really getting $150.00 off the price of one purchased ticket and $50.00 off a second, assuming you use the reimbursement for four $50.00 eGifts..
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
This must be Amex/DL's thinking. They will let you get away with applying the reimbursement toward the low denomination GC's since you can only apply three per ticket.
I recently found out the hard way, when I was told I could not apply the GC's toward the fuel surcharge on an award ticket, nor could I use them to upgrade to economy comfort. I would have been better off keeping the $200.00 fee reimbursement and applying to economy comfort seating!
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a DL ticket, so the eGift certificates may wind up going to waste.
. Seriously ...
Sep 23, 2013, 3:12 pm
#368
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Sep 23, 2013, 4:02 pm
#369
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 175
I don't think it was until recently that they imposed the three gift certificate limit per ticket, and thought I could use up to $400.00 worth of $50.00 certificates for a domestic flight ticket.
Truth be told, I really just outsmarted myself. I realized going in that the T&Cs said you cannot use the airline fee credit towards the purchase of a ticket or for a gift certificate. Then I found out that I could beat the system by using the credits to obtain gc's for $50.00 or less. Well, you can, but the "work around" has its limitations!
Got no one to blame but myself!
Truth be told, I really just outsmarted myself. I realized going in that the T&Cs said you cannot use the airline fee credit towards the purchase of a ticket or for a gift certificate. Then I found out that I could beat the system by using the credits to obtain gc's for $50.00 or less. Well, you can, but the "work around" has its limitations!
Got no one to blame but myself!
Sep 23, 2013, 11:43 pm
#370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I don't think it was until recently that they imposed the three gift certificate limit per ticket, and thought I could use up to $400.00 worth of $50.00 certificates for a domestic flight ticket.
Truth be told, I really just outsmarted myself. I realized going in that the T&Cs said you cannot use the airline fee credit towards the purchase of a ticket or for a gift certificate. Then I found out that I could beat the system by using the credits to obtain gc's for $50.00 or less. Well, you can, but the "work around" has its limitations!
Got no one to blame but myself!
Truth be told, I really just outsmarted myself. I realized going in that the T&Cs said you cannot use the airline fee credit towards the purchase of a ticket or for a gift certificate. Then I found out that I could beat the system by using the credits to obtain gc's for $50.00 or less. Well, you can, but the "work around" has its limitations!
Got no one to blame but myself!
Sep 24, 2013, 1:29 am
#371
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 175
I typically don't take money out of my pocket to buy an airline ticket. The eGC, as I understood it, would have allowed me to obtain a "free" domestic airline ticket on DL worth up to $400.00. Had I known that effectively, all the eGCs would allow me to do is to get $150.00 off a purchased ticket, I would have indeed used the credit directly to apply toward EC or some other fee.
Sep 24, 2013, 7:08 am
#372
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,939
Just by way of update: it still works with the $50 eGift cert. I purchased last week (~Sept 18) and credit showed up in 2 business days. I only purchased one though. Purchased another since and will get 2 more. I've got a couple of trips coming up and will use them for my kids' tickets.
Sep 25, 2013, 2:55 pm
#373
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Free Agent, Any Status is Accidental
Posts: 1,395
As a data point: Booked a DL award ticket with ca. $400 in fees, sent a secure message and they added a $200 credit to my statement (though it didn't/won't process automatically).
Sep 27, 2013, 7:33 am
#374
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,939
So this is weird. Last week I bought 4 x $50 eGifts on DL. All reimbursed within two days, but one reimbursement was only for $41 rather than $50. The rest were $50. Not sure if I should call or not. Category is "travel -airline". Nothing about egift on statement.
Sep 27, 2013, 7:47 am
#375
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954