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)
Nov 6, 2019, 8:45 am
#2281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Bumping this question. I'm going to book a trip to LHR in a couple days using a GUC. I know there is a luxury tax that Delta bills separate of around $100. Has anyone had any luck getting it reimbursed? In the past I've always charged it to my CSR card and IIRC Chase doesn't state on the statements how the charges are classified.
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 6, 2019, 10:21 am
#2282
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
I wonder if a first class upgrade fee of $200+ would work if you ask Amex to do it manually.
Nov 6, 2019, 2:42 pm
#2283
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 268
No. Any AMEX card will do. I booked my last two companion certs using an (at the time) SPG AMEX because in each case I had already cancelled the supporting DL-cobranded card 
EDIT: although the booking flow is slightly different for companion certs than normal tickets in that you have to visit your wallet and check the box for the certificate before searching. I think you'll still be able to apply a GC for partial payment and the rest on a CC but not 100% sure.
EDIT: although the booking flow is slightly different for companion certs than normal tickets in that you have to visit your wallet and check the box for the certificate before searching. I think you'll still be able to apply a GC for partial payment and the rest on a CC but not 100% sure.
Nov 6, 2019, 7:17 pm
#2284
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: AC 75k, WN CP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 11
Nov 7, 2019, 4:17 am
#2285
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,321
Delta keeps it kind of hidden with very little on their website. Its not unlike AA's 5 star service. From what I understand it is now open to any class of service and includes lounge access if you don't already have it. Its 350$ for the first person and 100$ for each additional person. I'm traveling with my father to Africa but I will only be joining him in Atlanta and onward. He will have to connected by himself in Atlanta and he is 94 and while he is generally able bodied and sharp minded when he gets tired he is sometimes less clear headed so I plan on using the service for him. They will actually meet him on the plane and take him through customs and immigration in Atlanta on the return and then drive him to his onward flight. As I will be connecting to a different flight in a different terminal its totally worth it. Not so much for the VIP aspect but more for peace of mind in my case. At any rate (back on topic) was hoping someone had used it and been reimbursed .....
Nov 7, 2019, 6:49 am
#2286
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 33
For everyone: any datapoints on triggering the credit and refunding the fare? If so, what form does the refund take? Delta GCs? Split between refund to original GC and statement credit to Amex CC?
Nov 7, 2019, 7:10 am
#2287
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Normally if you cancel a refundable DL ticket, funds are returned to the original source of payment, such as your credit card in the form of a credit. If so, I would expect AmEx to claw back the credit they gave you. I don't know how gift cards would be treated in this case.
If it's a nonrefundable ticket, the funds normally remain on the ticket number, but of course the change fee is deducted from the value when you change the ticket to use the remaining value. I would assume that this would include the portion paid with a gift card.
If it's a nonrefundable ticket, the funds normally remain on the ticket number, but of course the change fee is deducted from the value when you change the ticket to use the remaining value. I would assume that this would include the portion paid with a gift card.
Nov 7, 2019, 8:32 am
#2288
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
These issues have been discussed previously, in this thread.
I would not because their software does not seem to make the connection to the transaction which qualified for the credit. They could do it, but they have not.
Payments made with a Delta gift card are normally refunded in the form of a gift card.
I would not because their software does not seem to make the connection to the transaction which qualified for the credit. They could do it, but they have not.
Payments made with a Delta gift card are normally refunded in the form of a gift card.
Nov 7, 2019, 12:31 pm
#2289
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Not sure if I did this correctly, but will report back
Bought (1) $250 egift voucher. Waited 3 days for it to be able to be usable (why soooo long??). Booked a $480 flight. Balance was $230. Used Amex Plat with full $200 credit assigned to DL available.
Initial amex charge posted as Delta Air Lines (pending). Not sure if that is the kiss of death? There is no other details on the charge yet (just made it a few hours ago). Will report back once I get some more information.
If I did it wrong (should have bought a series of $50 gift cards??) please correct me as I need to book another DL flight shortly.
Thanks and fingers crossed.
Initial amex charge posted as Delta Air Lines (pending). Not sure if that is the kiss of death? There is no other details on the charge yet (just made it a few hours ago). Will report back once I get some more information.
If I did it wrong (should have bought a series of $50 gift cards??) please correct me as I need to book another DL flight shortly.
Thanks and fingers crossed.
Nov 7, 2019, 5:30 pm
#2290
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta PM
Posts: 323
Sorry if this has already been asked/answered. I'm relatively new to the Amex Plat card.
I have both the Amex Plat and Delta Amex Plat with the companion certificate. The T&Cs on the Cert say you must pay with the Delta Amex Plat but is that enforced?
Here's what I'd like to do...would it work?
Airfare i want is $398.
I want to use the BOGO to buy both tickets. I have 5 - $50 Delta gift cards already purchased. I'm assuming my total will be a little over $400 after the companion's taxes.
Use all 5 gift cards to bring the total under $200 and pay that with the Amex Plat; and hopefully get close to $200 is incidental credits back. I assume I'd have to call to use all 5 gift cards at once?
Advice?
I have both the Amex Plat and Delta Amex Plat with the companion certificate. The T&Cs on the Cert say you must pay with the Delta Amex Plat but is that enforced?
Here's what I'd like to do...would it work?
Airfare i want is $398.
I want to use the BOGO to buy both tickets. I have 5 - $50 Delta gift cards already purchased. I'm assuming my total will be a little over $400 after the companion's taxes.
Use all 5 gift cards to bring the total under $200 and pay that with the Amex Plat; and hopefully get close to $200 is incidental credits back. I assume I'd have to call to use all 5 gift cards at once?
Advice?
Nov 7, 2019, 6:14 pm
#2291
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: Most of 'em
Posts: 128
You can use more than three gift cards by calling in. Website does limit number of cards though.
Nov 7, 2019, 9:37 pm
#2292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Nov 7, 2019, 10:37 pm
#2293
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: RDU
Programs: HH Diamond, AA Gold, Marriot Plat
Posts: 209
Had $221 remaining in credit on my Hilton Aspire after guesting a colleague into the Sky Club.
Oct 27 Charged exactly $221 in mileage booster fees for an upcoming flight (for a whopping total of 12,000 miles). Coded as "Miscellaneous Tax(s)/Fees."
Oct 30 Received $221 credit
Oct 27 Charged exactly $221 in mileage booster fees for an upcoming flight (for a whopping total of 12,000 miles). Coded as "Miscellaneous Tax(s)/Fees."
Oct 30 Received $221 credit
Nov 7: added 2x $59 mileage booster (118$) to future Delta flight (12/12 /2019) on the Hilton Aspire.
Last edited by rice4u; Nov 8, 2019 at 3:30 am
Nov 8, 2019, 2:39 am
#2294
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Nov 5 - Bought a $59 Mileage Booster on Nov 3.
Nov 7 - Coded as Miscellaneous/Taxes
Meter Moved from 250 to 191
Still Awaiting for Credit
Nov 7 - Coded as Miscellaneous/Taxes
Meter Moved from 250 to 191
Still Awaiting for Credit
Nov 8, 2019, 6:55 am
#2295
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 413
Bought a $178 one way ticket on November 4 using a $100 gift card (already had) and rest on Amex Gold. Posted as 'Additional Collection'
November 7th the meter moved.
November 8th the $78 credit was refunded (statement also closed this day)
November 7th the meter moved.
November 8th the $78 credit was refunded (statement also closed this day)