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

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Old Jan 18, 2016, 10:57 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
  • 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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Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2015-2019)

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Old Oct 11, 2018, 3:50 pm
  #991  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
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Posts: 31,474
Originally Posted by mia
There's no downside to buying a Delta eCert in an amount larger than $50. If it isn't reimbursed you have lost nothing, because you have paid $200 for an item worth exactly $200. Just try it, and see if it is reimbursed.

Correct me if I am wrong but when buying a ticket on dl.com I think there is a limit on the number of GC one can use, so in that case cards with large amounts could be handy.
UA Fan is online now  
Old Oct 11, 2018, 4:29 pm
  #992  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,224
Originally Posted by UA Fan
Correct me if I am wrong but when buying a ticket on dl.com I think there is a limit on the number of GC one can use, so in that case cards with large amounts could be handy.
you should read the wiki in the first post in this thread:
  • 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 Denomincations]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.
  • eCerts do not expire. Their T&Cs are listed here.
lax01 is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2018, 8:32 pm
  #993  
mia
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Originally Posted by UA Fan
....cards with large amounts could be handy.
Understood, but the question is whether or not they will be reimbursed, and the way to find out is to buy a larger denomination certificate and see if it is reimbursed.
mia is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2018, 8:50 pm
  #994  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 126
That's what s/he mentioned ? only 3 eCerts per booking ?
JustAnotherGuy001 is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2018, 12:47 am
  #995  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Posts: 138
Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy001
That's what s/he mentioned ? only 3 eCerts per booking ?
The 3 certs per booking restriction is only if done via the web site. Check the gift card T&Cs.

"If redeemed at www.delta.com, a maximum of three forms of payment (including eGifts or Cards) can be applied towards a single transaction, regardless of the number of tickets purchased as part of that transaction; if redeemed through any other method, a maximum of three forms of payment (including eGifts or Cards) can be applied toward a single ticket. eGifts and Cards can be used with other eGifts and/or Cards, but cannot be used in conjunction with any other certificate, voucher or credit towards a single ticket."

Emphasis theirs.
weaseltown is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2018, 9:57 pm
  #996  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 72
I bought 2 x $50 certs with new gold card on 10/09 and received the credit today.
LouNanne is offline  
Old Oct 14, 2018, 12:13 pm
  #997  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Originally Posted by LouNanne
I bought 2 x $50 certs with new gold card on 10/09 and received the credit today.
Yah I bought on 10/12, it already posted on my account as 2x$50 charge. But did not receive the credit reimbursement on the account yet. Guess it'll take a few more days.
twkidM3 is offline  
Old Oct 14, 2018, 7:46 pm
  #998  
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: saint augustine, FL USA
Posts: 463
bot 5 X 50 on 10/10 credit posted at nt on 10/14 on aspire

Last edited by frankhi; Oct 15, 2018 at 4:45 am Reason: add info
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Old Oct 15, 2018, 4:40 am
  #999  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 222
any way at all to use more than 3 gift cards on a single one-way ticket? I even tried to book and refund in hopes that they put all 3 on one e-credit
zagguru is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2018, 11:23 am
  #1000  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, AA EXP, UA Gold
Posts: 171
Originally Posted by zagguru
any way at all to use more than 3 gift cards on a single one-way ticket? I even tried to book and refund in hopes that they put all 3 on one e-credit
did you try calling them? what did they say?
VoiD is offline  
Old Oct 15, 2018, 9:42 pm
  #1001  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
Purchased 5X50 on 10/11. Posted to acct 10/12. Reimbursed 10/13
Seabilly is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2018, 5:19 pm
  #1002  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by Seabilly
Purchased 5X50 on 10/11. Posted to acct 10/12. Reimbursed 10/13
Hi All - so i'm seeing everyone get their reimbursements but what about applying MULTIPLE GCs to a flight ? ONE person has chimed in that THEY DO NOT STACK.

What is the story?

Thanks
geguia is offline  
Old Oct 16, 2018, 5:59 pm
  #1003  
mia
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Originally Posted by geguia
.... what about applying MULTIPLE GCs to a flight ? ....
This information is in the Wikipost at the top of the thread:

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.
mia is offline  
Old Oct 17, 2018, 8:43 am
  #1004  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by mia
This information is in the Wikipost at the top of the thread:
thx!
geguia is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2018, 1:33 pm
  #1005  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 25
Purchased 50 e GC on october 18th.. still nothing
homerunnermhs is offline  


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