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)
Jan 5, 2018, 12:17 pm
#706
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 38
1/2 - bought Delta tickets so I could use eGift cards from last year but still had charges of $173.30 and $33.30 after using the cards.
1/3 - bought a test $50 eGift card to make sure it was reimbursed
1/4 - I show airline fee reimbursement for the $173.30 ticket and $26.70 out of the other ticket
1/4 - I now have a non-reimbursed gift card.
Last year I also had this happen but in a smaller amount. I was reimbursed for a guest SkyClub entrance ($27) and $150 in eGift cards. The remaining $23 was reimbursed out of a ticket on Delta i purchased.
I will post an update if the airline fee reimbursement for an actual ticket changes before the statement closes.
1/3 - bought a test $50 eGift card to make sure it was reimbursed
1/4 - I show airline fee reimbursement for the $173.30 ticket and $26.70 out of the other ticket
1/4 - I now have a non-reimbursed gift card.
Last year I also had this happen but in a smaller amount. I was reimbursed for a guest SkyClub entrance ($27) and $150 in eGift cards. The remaining $23 was reimbursed out of a ticket on Delta i purchased.
I will post an update if the airline fee reimbursement for an actual ticket changes before the statement closes.
Jan 5, 2018, 1:01 pm
#708
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: LAX
Posts: 44
1/2 purchased 4x$50 GC on desktop, 1/3 purchase posted, 1/4 refunded. posted as below:
DELTA AIR LINES DELTA.COM
View Details on Merchant Website
DELTA AIR LINES DELTA.COM
View Details on Merchant Website
ATLANTA AIRPORT
ATLANTA GA 30344
UNITED STATESATLANTA GA 30344
800.221.1212
Reference: [redacted]
Category: Travel - Airline
Reference: [redacted]
Category: Travel - Airline
Jan 6, 2018, 8:09 am
#709
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 97
Purchased 2x $50 Delta eGC on desktop site, using an Authorized user card, amex Gold
Purchase on 1/3
posted 1/4
refunded on 1/5
Purchase on 1/3
posted 1/4
refunded on 1/5
Jan 6, 2018, 8:37 am
#710
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 89
Purchased 4x$50 DL GC on desktop site, Amex Platinum.
Purchased 1/1
Posted 1/2
Credited 1/3
Purchased 1/1
Posted 1/2
Credited 1/3
Jan 6, 2018, 9:20 pm
#711
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SEA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 19
Purchased airfare of $225 on 12/31, paying $100 with a Delta ECredit, $125 with Amex. The $125 posted on 1/1 as "additional collection", Amex reimbursed it 1/2.
Jan 7, 2018, 12:46 pm
#712
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
$29 reimbursed from SkyClub (purchased on 12/31)
$99.71 and $29.25 both reimbursed from ticket purchases (had 2 small ecerts to use up so that was the balance from each of the two one-ways) but was very surprised to see that it processed these as refunds.
Will likely try to use the remaining $42 through gift card purchase if nothing processes before that
Last year got my refund through C+ TATL purchases
$99.71 and $29.25 both reimbursed from ticket purchases (had 2 small ecerts to use up so that was the balance from each of the two one-ways) but was very surprised to see that it processed these as refunds.
Will likely try to use the remaining $42 through gift card purchase if nothing processes before that
Last year got my refund through C+ TATL purchases
Jan 7, 2018, 11:59 pm
#713
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Purchased 4 x $50 DL GC on desktop site, Amex Platinum. Exactly the way I did last year.
Purchased 1/8 4 x $50, showed up as a single $200 charge
Posted 1/9waiting 4 x $50
Credited 1/10waiting $114 $50 and $36
Will update here when posted/credited. Fingers crossed.
Purchased 1/8 4 x $50, showed up as a single $200 charge
Posted 1/9
Credited 1/10
Last edited by garage0racing; Jan 11, 2018 at 11:09 am Reason: updating
Jan 8, 2018, 6:11 am
#714
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 36
Purchased 4 x $50 DL GC on desktop site, Amex Platinum.
Purchased 1/5 as one transaction.
Posted 1/6 as four transactions.
Credited 1/7 for all four.
Purchased 1/5 as one transaction.
Posted 1/6 as four transactions.
Credited 1/7 for all four.
Jan 8, 2018, 7:51 am
#715
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 15
Using the Platinum Card this time:
1/5 - Purchase 4x$50 on the desktop site, shown as $200 pending in a single transaction.
1/7 - Posted as 4 separate transactions under "DELTA AIR LINES ATLANTA"
1/8 - Reimbursed
1/5 - Purchase 4x$50 on the desktop site, shown as $200 pending in a single transaction.
1/7 - Posted as 4 separate transactions under "DELTA AIR LINES ATLANTA"
1/8 - Reimbursed
Jan 8, 2018, 11:42 am
#716
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
I had the same as everyone else recently, purchased from the desktop site and credited a few days later.
Quick question though, can eGift cards be added to a Delta wallet or anything so they're in your Delta account, or if you're not using them right away do you need to keep track of them in an excel file or email or something and input them just when you're actually booking a flight? I forgot until just now I had one un-used one from last year! I don't want old eGift cards floating around in my email that go unused because I forget about them :P
(And I'm "cashing in" my credits right now for this year just in case anything changes but don't plan to use them until my Halloween trip this fall :P)
Quick question though, can eGift cards be added to a Delta wallet or anything so they're in your Delta account, or if you're not using them right away do you need to keep track of them in an excel file or email or something and input them just when you're actually booking a flight? I forgot until just now I had one un-used one from last year! I don't want old eGift cards floating around in my email that go unused because I forget about them :P
(And I'm "cashing in" my credits right now for this year just in case anything changes but don't plan to use them until my Halloween trip this fall :P)
Jan 8, 2018, 5:18 pm
#717
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Plastic, Delta Silver Emeritus
Posts: 1,037
I had the same as everyone else recently, purchased from the desktop site and credited a few days later.
Quick question though, can eGift cards be added to a Delta wallet or anything so they're in your Delta account, or if you're not using them right away do you need to keep track of them in an excel file or email or something and input them just when you're actually booking a flight? I forgot until just now I had one un-used one from last year! I don't want old eGift cards floating around in my email that go unused because I forget about them :P
(And I'm "cashing in" my credits right now for this year just in case anything changes but don't plan to use them until my Halloween trip this fall :P)
Quick question though, can eGift cards be added to a Delta wallet or anything so they're in your Delta account, or if you're not using them right away do you need to keep track of them in an excel file or email or something and input them just when you're actually booking a flight? I forgot until just now I had one un-used one from last year! I don't want old eGift cards floating around in my email that go unused because I forget about them :P
(And I'm "cashing in" my credits right now for this year just in case anything changes but don't plan to use them until my Halloween trip this fall :P)
Jan 8, 2018, 8:00 pm
#718
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: avis, national, jetblue, delta, marriot
Posts: 33
Jan 8, 2018, 8:53 pm
#719
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
PRG
2X $50 GC purchase posted on 01/06 (from Delta website from my laptop)
2X $50 statement credit posted on 01/07
2X $50 GC purchase posted on 01/06 (from Delta website from my laptop)
2X $50 statement credit posted on 01/07
Jan 9, 2018, 6:49 am
#720
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Sorry to bump my question, but surely someone knows if purchases larger than $50 are reimbursed? As I mentioned, there's no way I could go through eight GCs. Given that the wiki says up to 3 GCs can be used per ticket, I could make six purchases ($75/$75/$50 x 2) work on a single r/t, but buying four $100 GCs would be much easier. First, though, I'd need confirmation that $75 or $100 purchases are reimbursable.
Thanks so much for any help.
Thanks so much for any help.
I'm normally a UA flyer, but given the current suspension of UA's gift registry, I'm relieved to see that DL desktop website transactions appear to be reimbursed. I've perused the wiki, but have a question: Is the continuing focus on $50 GC purchases based on the fact that larger sums aren't reimbursed, or just out of an abundance of caution? I ask because the 3-GC-per-ticket limit would make it difficult for me to use the entire credit if each GC were only $50. I plan to continue flying UA for most routes, only flying DL to drain the credit. My spouse and I each have an AmEx Plat, so we'll have a total $400 DL credit if all goes well, and I'd prefer to use the entire sum on a single r/t ticket.