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)
Aug 16, 2018, 6:38 pm
#931
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Proud resident of flyover country.....
Programs: MS AMEX PLAT- Marriott Titanium-HH G- UA Silver-JPM RC . DL-AA-BA
Posts: 3,892
Aug 21, 2018, 2:37 pm
#932
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Amex Gold Card
Aug 16, 2018 -- Bought 2 x $50 Gift card from delta website (Pending transaction on card)
Aug 18, 2018 -- Transaction Posted
Aug 21, 2018 -- Credited back 2 x $50
Aug 16, 2018 -- Bought 2 x $50 Gift card from delta website (Pending transaction on card)
Aug 18, 2018 -- Transaction Posted
Aug 21, 2018 -- Credited back 2 x $50
Aug 22, 2018, 1:48 pm
#933
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: JFK/YYZ
Programs: DL DM, AC 75K, NEXUS, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 61
Ameriprise Amex Plat
08/18 - Purchased 3x $50 Delta e-Gift Certs
08/19 - Transactions posted
08/20 - 3x $50 credit posted
08/18 - Purchased 3x $50 Delta e-Gift Certs
08/19 - Transactions posted
08/20 - 3x $50 credit posted
Aug 23, 2018, 12:32 am
#935
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
No. From the T&C:
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).
https://www.delta.com/egift/eGiftPurchase.action
What someone else will have to answer is if the Amex credit will reimburse miles.
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).
https://www.delta.com/egift/eGiftPurchase.action
What someone else will have to answer is if the Amex credit will reimburse miles.
Aug 23, 2018, 8:02 am
#936
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2
First timer here...
So to confirm, I could buy $200 worth of DL gift cards in 4 $50 transactions and then put that $200 towards an economy comfort plus seat when booking but I could not use the $200 in gift cards to upgrade a previous main cabin booking up to ec+?
Thanks.
So to confirm, I could buy $200 worth of DL gift cards in 4 $50 transactions and then put that $200 towards an economy comfort plus seat when booking but I could not use the $200 in gift cards to upgrade a previous main cabin booking up to ec+?
Thanks.
Aug 23, 2018, 7:19 pm
#937
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,117
Using AMEX Platinum (not Delta one) for Delta Gift Cards
I just wanted to confirm with folks who have done this before:
The AMEX Platinum gives $200/year for airplane "credit" that can't be used for tickets... but one can buy 4 $50 Delta Gift Cards and get the credit applied that way.
Is this just as simple as going on Delta (dot) com and buying an egift card online four separate times in $50 increments using the Platinum card? Just want to make sure I don't mess this up.
The AMEX Platinum gives $200/year for airplane "credit" that can't be used for tickets... but one can buy 4 $50 Delta Gift Cards and get the credit applied that way.
Is this just as simple as going on Delta (dot) com and buying an egift card online four separate times in $50 increments using the Platinum card? Just want to make sure I don't mess this up.
Aug 23, 2018, 7:30 pm
#938
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Aug 24, 2018, 7:54 pm
#939
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 515
Amex just reimbursed me for an actual ticket, not an upgrade charge or gift card. Purchased a $220 ticket, used $100 of eGC (which themselves were purchased with an Amex reimbursement for a different card) to lower the actual cost to $120 and put the $120 on my Platinum. A day after the charge hit, it showed a reimbursement for the full $120 charge. When I click the charge, it says "additional collection" but it is most definitely a ticket and shows the ticket number in the Amex dashboard. There was also a second reimbursement, which was for an upgrade charge on the same reservation and also shows the ticket number.
That's the first time I've ever had an actual ticket reimbursed. I have a feeling that because I used gift cards on the ticket itself, something weird happened in the coding to make it *think* it was an additional collection for the ticket rather than paying for the ticket itself. Not complaining one bit though, this is one of those good problems.
Anyone have this happen before?
That's the first time I've ever had an actual ticket reimbursed. I have a feeling that because I used gift cards on the ticket itself, something weird happened in the coding to make it *think* it was an additional collection for the ticket rather than paying for the ticket itself. Not complaining one bit though, this is one of those good problems.
Anyone have this happen before?
Aug 24, 2018, 9:13 pm
#940
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
First timer here...
So to confirm, I could buy $200 worth of DL gift cards in 4 $50 transactions and then put that $200 towards an economy comfort plus seat when booking but I could not use the $200 in gift cards to upgrade a previous main cabin booking up to ec+?
Thanks.
So to confirm, I could buy $200 worth of DL gift cards in 4 $50 transactions and then put that $200 towards an economy comfort plus seat when booking but I could not use the $200 in gift cards to upgrade a previous main cabin booking up to ec+?
Thanks.
Amex just reimbursed me for an actual ticket, not an upgrade charge or gift card. Purchased a $220 ticket, used $100 of eGC (which themselves were purchased with an Amex reimbursement for a different card) to lower the actual cost to $120 and put the $120 on my Platinum. A day after the charge hit, it showed a reimbursement for the full $120 charge. When I click the charge, it says "additional collection" but it is most definitely a ticket and shows the ticket number in the Amex dashboard. There was also a second reimbursement, which was for an upgrade charge on the same reservation and also shows the ticket number.
That's the first time I've ever had an actual ticket reimbursed. I have a feeling that because I used gift cards on the ticket itself, something weird happened in the coding to make it *think* it was an additional collection for the ticket rather than paying for the ticket itself. Not complaining one bit though, this is one of those good problems.
Anyone have this happen before?
That's the first time I've ever had an actual ticket reimbursed. I have a feeling that because I used gift cards on the ticket itself, something weird happened in the coding to make it *think* it was an additional collection for the ticket rather than paying for the ticket itself. Not complaining one bit though, this is one of those good problems.
Anyone have this happen before?
Aug 25, 2018, 2:45 pm
#941
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 515
American Express paid for this whole flight since the two eGC I used were paid for using the remaining airline credits on my PRG and the remaining amount was covered with what was left of my Platinum's airline credit on the year. Sure would be nice if we didn't need to do the gift card nonsense at all and just had the credit apply to all types of travel purchases, but it works out the same either way.
Aug 27, 2018, 7:20 am
#942
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,963
Can I do 2 x $95 G.C.?
I see that $50 is the magic number..... has any tried to do a bit more..... say $95 twice?
Aug 27, 2018, 9:53 am
#943
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,838
Denominations over $50 will not generate the credit. Multiple $50 eCerts will. The smallest denomination available is $50.
Aug 27, 2018, 10:55 am
#944
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
It works (and is subject to change without notice so do report your success in the thread linked above). Remember though that you can only use 3 gift cards per transaction and the can't be used for anything except flights. Probably not a problem if you fly delta regularly or don't mind booking a trip in separate PNR.
Aug 27, 2018, 11:01 am
#945
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,117
Just had a full $200 reimbursed for DL, even though I didn't purchase gift cards. I did just book about 4 flights each under $200 (around $175-$225 eachfor a total of around $825). It gave me a statement credit of $200.