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)
May 18, 2019, 3:35 pm
#1546
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1
DP 5/18/19
5/13: selected Delta as my airline, immediately bought 4 $50 GC through the desktop site.
5/15: converted to 4 separate transactions
5/18: reimbursed
5/15: converted to 4 separate transactions
5/18: reimbursed
May 19, 2019, 4:33 pm
#1547
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 699
$50 5/16, reimbursed 5/18
May 19, 2019, 4:40 pm
#1548
formerly willbbiddy
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 208
Messed up on mother's day and selected dl about 5 minutes after buying 4x50. Checked today, credited.
May 19, 2019, 11:31 pm
#1549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,789
I hate to sound like a jerk, but..... all of these recent GC data points aren't really useful. The system has worked the same way it has for years.
It's tantamount to saying DP: I arrived at a Centurion Lounge 2 hours before boarding. I presented my boarding pass and card. I was allowed access.
Well yeah, that's how it works. A useful DP would be somebody who has bought on desktop for $50, waited a week, and has NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. Or literally any other non-GC related discussion.
It's tantamount to saying DP: I arrived at a Centurion Lounge 2 hours before boarding. I presented my boarding pass and card. I was allowed access.
Well yeah, that's how it works. A useful DP would be somebody who has bought on desktop for $50, waited a week, and has NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. Or literally any other non-GC related discussion.
May 20, 2019, 12:50 am
#1550
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I hate to sound like a jerk, but..... all of these recent GC data points aren't really useful. The system has worked the same way it has for years.
It's tantamount to saying DP: I arrived at a Centurion Lounge 2 hours before boarding. I presented my boarding pass and card. I was allowed access.
Well yeah, that's how it works. A useful DP would be somebody who has bought on desktop for $50, waited a week, and has NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. Or literally any other non-GC related discussion.
It's tantamount to saying DP: I arrived at a Centurion Lounge 2 hours before boarding. I presented my boarding pass and card. I was allowed access.
Well yeah, that's how it works. A useful DP would be somebody who has bought on desktop for $50, waited a week, and has NOT BEEN REIMBURSED. Or literally any other non-GC related discussion.
AA gift cards are NOT being credited due to a change in coding by AA.
PS: I had to call AMEX to manually get credited.
May 20, 2019, 4:25 am
#1551
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
They are useful because gift card reimbursements are excluded by rule. These reports confirm that the rule is still not enforced as written. That's very different than confirming that a lounge access rule is enforced.
May 20, 2019, 6:35 pm
#1552
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I agree -- by checking the AA thread you'd find they "fixed the glitch" mid-year.
May 21, 2019, 11:06 pm
#1553
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,803
Seems like tickets <$100 (or maybe more?) are reimbursed as well — bought a flight for $193.30, used 2x $50 gift cards and charged the rest to my Amex Plat, $93.30 charge posted 5/8 and fully reimbursed 5/9
May 29, 2019, 10:01 am
#1554
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 6
Purchase 4x$50 5/25
Posted 5/28
Reimbursed 5/29
Posted 5/28
Reimbursed 5/29
May 31, 2019, 9:48 am
#1555
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
I purchased 4x$50 cards in a single transaction per the instructions above on 5/24. It billed to my Platinum as a single $200 transaction and I was NOT re-imbursed :-(.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
May 31, 2019, 9:57 am
#1556
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jun 2, 2019, 4:51 pm
#1557
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 8
I purchased 4x$50 cards in a single transaction per the instructions above on 5/24. It billed to my Platinum as a single $200 transaction and I was NOT re-imbursed :-(.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
Jun 3, 2019, 7:35 pm
#1558
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 27
Wish I saw this. I just tried the 4x50 and it's was one transaction for $200. :-( I need about $500 to cover the trip so I probably should just buy 4 more one at a time and then book the flights that way. I was hoping to get the $250 credit and then use the rest of the transaction on my Citi Prestige for 5x points. Guess that's what happens when you don't scroll all the way down. :-S
Jun 4, 2019, 11:46 am
#1559
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
I purchased 4x$50 cards in a single transaction per the instructions above on 5/24. It billed to my Platinum as a single $200 transaction and I was NOT re-imbursed :-(.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
However, when I booked my two tickets, the Delta agent via Facebook Messenger, used all 4 gift cards on one of the two tickets I bought and the balance due was $126. Amex credited me back the $126 so I "ate" $74 in this transaction but still have $74 I can use later. My advice, just make them 4 separate transactions to be safe.
Jun 4, 2019, 11:49 am
#1560
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192