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)
Dec 5, 2018, 8:21 pm
#1066
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
I made 2 x 50 purchases for ecerts on delta.com with amex platinum but it coded as the following on 02DEC:
DELTA AIR LINES GC
25 PEARL STREETPORTLANDME04101
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (THE)207.549.2200
Additional Information: 98526746YOK GIFT CARDSGIFT CARDSReference: 320183370731237209 Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Internet Purchase
Still pending..but seeing as how it says gift cards and not travel makes me think I'm not going to get the credit....
Dec 5, 2018, 8:49 pm
#1067
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,193
what did it post as on your statement?
I made 2 x 50 purchases for ecerts on delta.com with amex platinum but it coded as the following on 02DEC:
Still pending..but seeing as how it says gift cards and not travel makes me think I'm not going to get the credit....
I made 2 x 50 purchases for ecerts on delta.com with amex platinum but it coded as the following on 02DEC:
DELTA AIR LINES GC
25 PEARL STREETPORTLANDME04101
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (THE)207.549.2200
Additional Information: 98526746YOK GIFT CARDSGIFT CARDSReference: 320183370731237209Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Internet Purchase
Still pending..but seeing as how it says gift cards and not travel makes me think I'm not going to get the credit....
Did you use a mobile device to place the order? If so, no go. (Btw, the wiki at the top of the page tells you this.)
Dec 5, 2018, 11:19 pm
#1068
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
2x $50 GCs on AMEX Gold posted 12/1, reimbursement posted 12/3.
Dec 6, 2018, 8:20 am
#1069
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: UA -1K, DL -Silver MM, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 35
Finally remembered to take advantage of this benefit -
Purchased four $50 Electronic Gift Cards on December 4th on Delta.com using link from Wiki
Amex Fee Airline Reimbursement posted for each transaction this morning December 6th , but dated December 5th
Purchased four $50 Electronic Gift Cards on December 4th on Delta.com using link from Wiki
Amex Fee Airline Reimbursement posted for each transaction this morning December 6th , but dated December 5th
Dec 6, 2018, 11:56 am
#1070
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: KE Morning Calm; AA Plat
Posts: 314
Data point:
Purchased 2 $50 gift cards on 12/3 and posted as two separate charges
Received 2 $50 credits on my account 12/4
Purchased 2 $50 gift cards on 12/3 and posted as two separate charges
Received 2 $50 credits on my account 12/4
Dec 6, 2018, 3:10 pm
#1071
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
Just got approved for Amex Personal Platinum today. Trying to get use of $200 travel credit in 2018 so it will be reset in 2019 and not lose this years' credit.
Is it better to buy 4 x $50 gc and then use gc to pay for upgrades from economy to plus.
OR
Should I just buy the upgrades on DL website directly?
In either case, I would have about $20 left over this way that won't get used in 2018
(Already have tickets booked for March 2019, so this would be just for the upgrade)
Thanks~
Is it better to buy 4 x $50 gc and then use gc to pay for upgrades from economy to plus.
OR
Should I just buy the upgrades on DL website directly?
In either case, I would have about $20 left over this way that won't get used in 2018
(Already have tickets booked for March 2019, so this would be just for the upgrade)
Thanks~
Dec 6, 2018, 3:23 pm
#1072
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
eGifts and Cards may only be used for the total purchase price of air transportation, including taxes, fees, and surcharges imposed on the air transportation. They may not be used for any additional fees (including baggage fees) or for any other products or services (including class upgrades, in-flight purchases, premium seating, mileage booster, SkyMiles Cruises, cargo, hotel stays, or car rentals).
Dec 6, 2018, 3:34 pm
#1073
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
Thank you
Dec 6, 2018, 6:43 pm
#1074
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 6
I got the AirBNB promotion offer and did a 5x5 0 GC with amx HH asp.
DON'T DO IT! that 25$ Airbnb was used on CashSTAR site (it looks exactly like Delta and is in DELTA website)
POST date: DEC/6/2018
I saw on my phone as soon as I click process payment and it pop said CASHSTR I know it was bad.
ONLY USE THE LINK provided here, don't go on click random stuff.
I am ok with it because of Delta GC never expire/no-blackout policy, DL mile is pennies but cash gift card always good.
I am planning to use the link to get it correct this time.
DON'T DO IT! that 25$ Airbnb was used on CashSTAR site (it looks exactly like Delta and is in DELTA website)
POST date: DEC/6/2018
I saw on my phone as soon as I click process payment and it pop said CASHSTR I know it was bad.
ONLY USE THE LINK provided here, don't go on click random stuff.
I am ok with it because of Delta GC never expire/no-blackout policy, DL mile is pennies but cash gift card always good.
I am planning to use the link to get it correct this time.
Last edited by uwey; Dec 19, 2018 at 2:47 am
Dec 6, 2018, 9:43 pm
#1075
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I got the AirBNB promotion offer and did a 5x5 GC with amx HH asp.
DON'T DO IT! that 25$ Airbnb was used on CashSTAR site (it looks exactly like Delta and is in DELTA website)
POST date: DEC/6/2018
I saw on my phone as soon as I click process payment and it pop said CASHSTR I know it was bad.
ONLY USE THE LINK provided here, don't go on click random stuff.
I am ok with it because of Delta GC never expire/no-blackout policy, DL mile is pennies but cash gift card always good.
I am planning to use the link to get it correct this time.
DON'T DO IT! that 25$ Airbnb was used on CashSTAR site (it looks exactly like Delta and is in DELTA website)
POST date: DEC/6/2018
I saw on my phone as soon as I click process payment and it pop said CASHSTR I know it was bad.
ONLY USE THE LINK provided here, don't go on click random stuff.
I am ok with it because of Delta GC never expire/no-blackout policy, DL mile is pennies but cash gift card always good.
I am planning to use the link to get it correct this time.
It is not the issue of link because if you use mobile device, it will still be billed by CASHSTR.
In order to get the charge billed by DL, it needs to go thru DESKTOP. I dont know if a Desktop mode on your phone would work or not - but using an actual computer / laptop has been the fool-proof method. Phone and Tablet all get billed by CASHSTR. It is quite clear in the Wiki that only going thru computer would work, i.e. being billed by DL instead of 3rd party.
Dec 7, 2018, 7:14 am
#1076
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
Data point:
Bought 2 GCs at $50 each on 11/30 and got reimbursed on 12/01
Bought 2 GCs at $50 each on 12/01 and got reimbursed on 12/04
Bought 2 GCs at $50 each on 11/30 and got reimbursed on 12/01
Bought 2 GCs at $50 each on 12/01 and got reimbursed on 12/04
Dec 7, 2018, 5:52 pm
#1077
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 6
You made the mistake to use mobile device to make the purchase.
It is not the issue of link because if you use mobile device, it will still be billed by CASHSTR.
In order to get the charge billed by DL, it needs to go thru DESKTOP. I dont know if a Desktop mode on your phone would work or not - but using an actual computer / laptop has been the fool-proof method. Phone and Tablet all get billed by CASHSTR. It is quite clear in the Wiki that only going thru computer would work, i.e. being billed by DL instead of 3rd party.
It is not the issue of link because if you use mobile device, it will still be billed by CASHSTR.
In order to get the charge billed by DL, it needs to go thru DESKTOP. I dont know if a Desktop mode on your phone would work or not - but using an actual computer / laptop has been the fool-proof method. Phone and Tablet all get billed by CASHSTR. It is quite clear in the Wiki that only going thru computer would work, i.e. being billed by DL instead of 3rd party.
No I didn’t use mobile, that was the issue I failed to mention.
I use desktop, and I bet because it is promotional deal so it directly jump to other site. I complete the process before I realized it.
25$ airbnb deal is not worth the risk. Not my first rodeo and I always use desktop anyway.
once I get the final result will be back for data point entry. Successful or not.
Dec 7, 2018, 11:54 pm
#1078
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 150
Upgrading to exit row worked for me but comfort plus did not. This was April 2018.
Dec 8, 2018, 5:19 am
#1079
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
No I didn’t use mobile, that was the issue I failed to mention.
I use desktop, and I bet because it is promotional deal so it directly jump to other site. I complete the process before I realized it.
25$ airbnb deal is not worth the risk. Not my first rodeo and I always use desktop anyway.
once I get the final result will be back for data point entry. Successful or not.
Dec 10, 2018, 10:32 am
#1080
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830