Jan 18, 2016, 10:57 am
Last edit by: MaxVO
This thread is a continuation of: Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only [2011 - 2015]
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
Caution: effective from 22 June 2019, gift card purchases from Delta do not get reimbursed.
Read this primer first
additional collections/split tender
THIS IS A LOOPHOLE. BE DISCREET
Anything coded as an additional collection (aka add/collect or a/c), including difference in fare when changing flights, and accepting an FCM offer, also triggers the credit and will be reimbursed; this may (insufficient data) only happen if the additional amount collected is below ~$250 (regardless of card type, e.g. there have been reports of full $100 credit for Gold card on a/c over $100 and full $200 credit for Plat on a/c over $200 but less than $250)
other non Gift Card options
(DEAD) eGift Card (eCert) details
This Section is not applicable effective 2019/06/22!
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
Caution: effective from 22 June 2019, gift card purchases from Delta do not get reimbursed.
Read this primer first
- 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<--(link dead) 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. Try logging in to your AMEX account and selecting the airline. This link may work - 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.
- The T&Cs state the eligible charges, but YMMV, so don't call and ask especially about the fuzzier cases below because that will probably hasten closing of any loopholes.
- 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. Note: This is not my experience. I purchased Dec 31, 2016, posted Jan 1, 2017 and went against my 2017 credit. (TheMadBrewer)
- 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.
- 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.
additional collections/split tender
THIS IS A LOOPHOLE. BE DISCREET
Anything coded as an additional collection (aka add/collect or a/c), including difference in fare when changing flights, and accepting an FCM offer, also triggers the credit and will be reimbursed; this may (insufficient data) only happen if the additional amount collected is below ~$250 (regardless of card type, e.g. there have been reports of full $100 credit for Gold card on a/c over $100 and full $200 credit for Plat on a/c over $200 but less than $250)
- Relevantly, split tender where you partially pay with a gift card, existing credit, VDB voucher etc. and partly charged to your card, are processed by DL as an add/collect and trigger the credit per above.
- Thus if you anticipate actually buying, say, a $200 DL ticket, you could buy a single $50 gift card, then buy the ticket using $50 GC and $150 on your card (the $150 will be reimbursed)
- Canceling a ticket within the 24-hour risk-free period generally results in funds being returned to where they came from (GC back to GC and CC back to CC). If you have no immediate travel plans but anticipate travel in the next year, consider buying a fully refundable ticket and then changing it later once you know your future travel dates. IF a lot of people suddenly start refunding tickets after getting the credit reimbursement this may hasten the demise of this particular loophole.
- Caution when buying multiple tickets: for example if you buy two $125 tickets in one transaction (total $250) and use one $100 GC or even two $50 GCs, they will all be applied to the same ticket and you would see one additional collection for $25 on that ticket and a separate "normal" charge for $125 for the second ticket. In this scenario only $25 will be reimbursed (instead of the $150 you might be expecting)
other non Gift Card options
- baggage and other service fees (same day change/standby, change fees, etc.)
- taxes on award flights
- in-flight purchases (EXCEPT wifi)
- SkyClub access/guest fees (but NOT gift cards purchased at a SC, which are actually activated at a 3rd party web site)
- mileage boosts (post 2499)
- The $59 for Delta Skymiles Select is reimbursed (posts 2180, 2182)
- seat assignment fees (may need to call in to have processed manually)
(DEAD) eGift Card (eCert) details
This Section is not applicable effective 2019/06/22!
- Delta eGift Cards (eCerts) have been reimbursed in practice, even though technically they do not meet the criteria listed by Amex 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'll post later 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, but in some cases two one-ways may cost more than a single roundtrip so compare carefully to decide whether using more than 3 certs on a single trip is worthwhile.
- If purchasing a ticket for more than 1 person, splitting the purchase into a separate transaction for each person would also allow the use of more than 3 certs on a single trip at (usually) no additional cost. However this could have an adverse effect on ability to upgrade, upgrade priority, and other elite benefits, and on the likelihood of being reaccommodated on the same flight in the event of a flight cancellation.
- There is one recent REPORT of a telephone agent allowing more than three eCerts to be used when purchasing one ticket.
- eCerts do not expire. Their T&Cs are listed here.
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2015-2019)
Jul 21, 2016, 10:44 am
#136
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 have no idea.
First, if you've gotten a signup bonus for a $100 statement credit after a DL purchase, note that said purchase might not actually need to be for $100. There are reports in this forum of people buying a $8 beverage on board and having that small purchase trigger the $100 credit. YMMV, of course, and this might not even be the offer you have.
Second, and more to my earlier point, if you're having trouble finding ways to make even a single purchase with Delta, that generally means you aren't flying with them at all. So what's the point of getting/paying for a CC that provides benefits for an airline that you don't ever actually use?
I get that there are lots of miles to be had in signup bonuses, but would you want those miles within a program that you actually use (and thus, I would assume, have more opportunity to accumulate more and could more conveniently redeem from)?
First, if you've gotten a signup bonus for a $100 statement credit after a DL purchase, note that said purchase might not actually need to be for $100. There are reports in this forum of people buying a $8 beverage on board and having that small purchase trigger the $100 credit. YMMV, of course, and this might not even be the offer you have.
Second, and more to my earlier point, if you're having trouble finding ways to make even a single purchase with Delta, that generally means you aren't flying with them at all. So what's the point of getting/paying for a CC that provides benefits for an airline that you don't ever actually use?
I get that there are lots of miles to be had in signup bonuses, but would you want those miles within a program that you actually use (and thus, I would assume, have more opportunity to accumulate more and could more conveniently redeem from)?
Jul 29, 2016, 7:25 pm
#137
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: MSP
Posts: 165
Bought 2x50 with amex gold rewards 7/22, credited 7/24
Aug 4, 2016, 12:12 pm
#138
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
In past years, I have used my Amex Plat to get credits as follows: Buy a ticket with Economy Comfort, cancel the ticket which generates a refund for the ticket and also economy comfort fees, but Amex refunds the EC fees separately. I did this about a year ago with my Amex Plat. By doing this I essentially got $200 cash for my airline fee credits.
I just tried to do it, having not changed my preferred airline away from DL. However, I received a single refund for the entire ticket including EC, but no separate refund for the EC fees.
Does anyone know if something has changed?
I just tried to do it, having not changed my preferred airline away from DL. However, I received a single refund for the entire ticket including EC, but no separate refund for the EC fees.
Does anyone know if something has changed?
Aug 4, 2016, 12:57 pm
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
In past years, I have used my Amex Plat to get credits as follows: Buy a ticket with Economy Comfort, cancel the ticket which generates a refund for the ticket and also economy comfort fees, but Amex refunds the EC fees separately. I did this about a year ago with my Amex Plat. By doing this I essentially got $200 cash for my airline fee credits.
I just tried to do it, having not changed my preferred airline away from DL. However, I received a single refund for the entire ticket including EC, but no separate refund for the EC fees.
Does anyone know if something has changed?
I just tried to do it, having not changed my preferred airline away from DL. However, I received a single refund for the entire ticket including EC, but no separate refund for the EC fees.
Does anyone know if something has changed?
You'll also notice when you purchased the ticket it all came through as a single charge - not the ticket price and then the C+ fee separately.
You will now need to find another way to abuse the fee credit benefit, and the rest of us will hope Amex doesn't use widespread abuse like this as a reason to change or eliminate the benefit altogether.
Aug 4, 2016, 5:39 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: MSP
Posts: 165
Yeah.... so don't do that. Just do the gift cards.
Aug 4, 2016, 5:42 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Aug 5, 2016, 10:02 am
#142
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
I have a DL itin with 4 pax and the charge to change to Comfort + is $150 each.
Has anyone had recent experience getting reimbursed for similar charges of this magnitude?
Has anyone had recent experience getting reimbursed for similar charges of this magnitude?
Aug 13, 2016, 8:53 am
#143
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Wellington, Florida
Programs: Delta Plat, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 830
Last year I purchased a $200. Delta E-gift certificate using the $200. airline credit. The credit hadn't posted for the longest time so I called and they credited the $200. This year I was thinking of using the credit to upgrade an upcoming flight. I saw this on the American Express website though~
"Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees. The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee."
I was thinking of doing gift cards again because everyone seems to be doing it that way but the terms state they aren't included in the credit. Credits are still being given though?
"Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees. The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee."
I was thinking of doing gift cards again because everyone seems to be doing it that way but the terms state they aren't included in the credit. Credits are still being given though?
Aug 13, 2016, 12:06 pm
#144
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
This is the problem. If you had purchased 4 x $50 certificates they would have been reimbursed automatically. They have always been excluded from reimbursement, but they will be covered if you follow the process explained in the Wikipost at the top of this thread.
Aug 13, 2016, 1:27 pm
#145
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
Once you have the e certs is there a way to add them to your wallet so they show up in my account?
Thanks
Thanks
Aug 13, 2016, 10:57 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Has anybody seen recent luck having a first class upgrade reimbursed after an original coach fare was purchased?
Aug 14, 2016, 5:47 am
#147
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tokyo
Programs: DL Diamond, ANA Platinum
Posts: 1,532
Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere, but what's the best way to get more than 3 gift cards used for one ticket?
Aug 14, 2016, 4:49 pm
#148
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Plastic, Delta Silver Emeritus
Posts: 1,037
(FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > American Express | Membership Rewards > Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only)
Aug 15, 2016, 12:20 am
#149
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tokyo
Programs: DL Diamond, ANA Platinum
Posts: 1,532
"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."
(FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > American Express | Membership Rewards > Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only)
(FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > American Express | Membership Rewards > Airline fee $200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only)