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Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2015-2019)

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Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2015-2019)

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Old Jan 9, 20, 12:52 am   -   Wikipost
Please read: This is a community-maintained wiki post containing the most important information from this thread. You may edit the Wiki once you have been on FT for 90 days and have made 90 posts.
  
Last edit by: MaxVO
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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
  • 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.
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Old Jul 6, 19, 7:07 am
  #1651  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,598
Originally Posted by Global Adventurer View Post
BREAKING NEWS - Data Point:

The above transaction I completed on July 1st, posted today (July 6), as an Airline Reimbursement for $100.52. So, partial payments work. There is hope!

Edit:. This was on a AMEX Platinum card
gtk, just did a similar split pay with WN; hope the outcome is the same... will update
808traveler and edkwan88 like this.
danhouston is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 8:55 am
  #1652  
 
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: Delta, Chase UR, Hyatt
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by Global Adventurer View Post
BREAKING NEWS - Data Point:

The above transaction I completed on July 1st, posted today (July 6), as an Airline Reimbursement for $100.52. So, partial payments work. There is hope!

Edit:. This was on a AMEX Platinum card. The credit card transaction originally posted as Delta Airlines Atlanta "additional collection" under document type.
I had this work for me a week ago; I applied one $50 GC against a $274 airfare, leaving $224, which triggered the full $200.

I am now wondering whether it has to be around $200 left over or whether any residual balance left over will do the trick. I.e. if I buy a $400 and use $100, leaving $300, does that work? Or, should I buy a $200 GC to leave $200 behind.
free_whine is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 9:28 am
  #1653  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Platinum, IHG Platinum, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 2,859
Originally Posted by free_whine View Post
I had this work for me a week ago; I applied one $50 GC against a $274 airfare, leaving $224, which triggered the full $200.

I am now wondering whether it has to be around $200 left over or whether any residual balance left over will do the trick. I.e. if I buy a $400 and use $100, leaving $300, does that work? Or, should I buy a $200 GC to leave $200 behind.
Interesting question. I'm sure someone will try it sooner or later, especially since so many people here purchased $50 gift cards that were not reimbursed. They will apply them to flights of all amounts. Since my total flight was only $300.42 the 100.52 was all that was left after gift cards to be reimbursed.

I have $99.48 allotment left for this year and plan to use it to purchase two (2) emergency row seats and two beers (one-way connecting flights).
Global Adventurer is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 10:22 am
  #1654  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
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Originally Posted by free_whine View Post
I had this work for me a week ago; I applied one $50 GC against a $274 airfare, leaving $224, which triggered the full $200.

I am now wondering whether it has to be around $200 left over or whether any residual balance left over will do the trick. I.e. if I buy a $400 and use $100, leaving $300, does that work? Or, should I buy a $200 GC to leave $200 behind.
It worked for me last year when the residual value (after using GCs) was between $100-$200; it did not work for me when the residual value was between $800-$900.
GTITAN, zeer0, 808traveler and 2 others like this.
Diplomatico is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 10:26 am
  #1655  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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Must part of the payment be made with a gift card, or could the payment be split between two credit cards, using the American Express card second?
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mia is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 1:20 pm
  #1656  
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Join Date: Jul 2003
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Originally Posted by mia View Post
Must part of the payment be made with a gift card, or could the payment be split between two credit cards, using the American Express card second?
IIRC upthread posts said DL billed the balance after GC using different description (or even payment code) that AMEX system recognizes it as miscellaneous expenses other than tickets. Not sure if split between CCs would generate the same description.
Happy is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 1:56 pm
  #1657  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,799
Delta also has "Miles + Cash" as another option for split payments. It's usually a poor value though.
MaxVO is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 2:12 pm
  #1658  
 
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: Delta, Chase UR, Hyatt
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by mia View Post
Must part of the payment be made with a gift card, or could the payment be split between two credit cards, using the American Express card second?
That is a very interesting question! If I hadn't already used my 2019 allotment, I would have given that a shot because I have a ticket to buy today. It isn't clear to me how it would code; perhaps putting <50% would work?
free_whine is offline  
Old Jul 6, 19, 2:26 pm
  #1659  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,799
Originally Posted by free_whine View Post
...It isn't clear to me how it would code; perhaps putting <50% would work?
If it's convenient for you, perhaps try a very unequal split between 2 AmEx CC's, then see if the 2 charges appear differently.
MaxVO is offline  
Old Jul 7, 19, 12:01 pm
  #1660  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, UA Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 40
Bought two $50 GC using links mentioned in thread using AMEX GOLD on 1st Jul, the credits have not yet posted. How long does it takes usually?
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Old Jul 7, 19, 12:06 pm
  #1661  
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
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Originally Posted by lv.onlythebrave View Post
Bought two $50 GC using links mentioned in thread using AMEX GOLD on 1st Jul, the credits have not yet posted. How long does it takes usually?
usually 2-3 days but it’s been slower recently.
it’s currently been dead From what I understand.
mixed reports and data points rolling in. Only time will tell if it’s dead or not.

it’s more then a coincidence IMO that all 3 GC work arounds stopped working around the same time.
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Old Jul 7, 19, 2:35 pm
  #1662  
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 363
I noticed Delta offers you the option of buying Internet in advance when you book a ticket. I wonder if anyone has tried: booking a ticket, later logging in to purchase in-flight WiFi from Delta (rather than waiting until you’re on the flight and buying it from Gogo which we know doesn’t trigger the credit)?
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Old Jul 7, 19, 4:42 pm
  #1663  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
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Originally Posted by synzero View Post
I noticed Delta offers you the option of buying Internet in advance when you book a ticket. I wonder if anyone has tried: booking a ticket, later logging in to purchase in-flight WiFi from Delta (rather than waiting until you’re on the flight and buying it from Gogo which we know doesn’t trigger the credit)?
From their terms: ".....
  • Delta North America Day Pass purchases are processed by Gogo®, therefore Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card Members will not earn double miles from Delta for this purchase."
The day pass is the only option that indicated that the transaction would be processed by Gogo. Unfortunately, I don't have a need for the monthly or annual pass or I would test the system
Global Adventurer is offline  
Old Jul 7, 19, 4:57 pm
  #1664  
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Originally Posted by Global Adventurer View Post
From their terms: ".....
  • Delta North America Day Pass purchases are processed by Gogo®, therefore Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card Members will not earn double miles from Delta for this purchase."
> The day pass is the only option that indicated that the transaction would be processed by Gogo. Unfortunately, I don't have a need for the monthly or annual pass or I would test the system
Never mind --- looking at the statement I see that even when you buy the wifi ahead of time, it comes through as a Gogo charge, so no luck.
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Old Jul 7, 19, 5:03 pm
  #1665  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
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Originally Posted by synzero View Post
Never mind --- looking at the statement I see that even when you buy the wifi ahead of time, it comes through as a Gogo charge, so no luck.
But, that statement was about the prepaid Gogo day passes. They don't mention anywhere in the terms that it applied to the monthly or annual prepaid passes. However, it's probably most likely the same, but with the monthly and annual passes you can acquire miles. We won't know unless someone tests it
Global Adventurer is offline  

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