Jan 4, 2017, 6:59 am
Last edit by: mia
CAUTION: In February 2019, American Airlines changed the coding of gift card transactions. Although there are a few successful data points since, in general, Gift Card purchases are now explicitly identified, and no longer reimbursed by American Express.
Reminder: you must enroll and select your airline BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase. http://www.americanexpress.com/airlinechoice -or- "Call the number on the back of your Card to select a qualifying airline."
Data Points on automatically reimbursed incidentals since 2017:
Admirals Club Memberships: Admirals Club Passes:
Wifi is provided by one of three third-party providers and is thus not eligible for the incidental credit.
* For items not automatically reimbursed but which are not excluded by Amex, you can try and request manual reimbursement from American Express; however, you may need to wait 14-28 days first.
To review AA reimbursement reports from 2011-2016 as well as information on gift cards, click HERE.
Reminder: you must enroll and select your airline BEFORE making a reimbursable purchase. http://www.americanexpress.com/airlinechoice -or- "Call the number on the back of your Card to select a qualifying airline."
Data Points on automatically reimbursed incidentals since 2017:
Admirals Club Memberships: Admirals Club Passes:
- Yes - Hilton-gold, moe8555
- No - ShrinkTheGlobe, canesfan, jasmians, soy
- Yes - Dedicated, Rakibullslam, tsmith12, lotrbfme, mia, GTITAN, cdoobiest
- No - Alex_I, exmike, jb0506, fangtl, nall, javabytes, chitink
- Mixed - PatrickTM, Visconti, iahphx
- No - cubs105, prhocky2607
- No - PatrickTM, mileshound
- Yes - LuizMiranda, fotoflyer88, nk15, joshvworld, Hilton-gold, captaink, JCN, aftortoriello, nall
- No - pubsmeister
- Yes - jvel
- Yes - JDiver
- No - AUSINSIGHT
- No - mrlemm
- Yes - Segments
- Yes - wireless_999, saunders111, mosfet, Budoka, sdsearch
- Mixed - inevitability
Wifi is provided by one of three third-party providers and is thus not eligible for the incidental credit.
* For items not automatically reimbursed but which are not excluded by Amex, you can try and request manual reimbursement from American Express; however, you may need to wait 14-28 days first.
To review AA reimbursement reports from 2011-2016 as well as information on gift cards, click HERE.
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: AA only (2017-2019)
Jan 26, 2018, 8:41 am
#571
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 141
I've had the same experience others have had this year.
1/22 - Two $100 AA gift cards purchased
1/24 - Amex credit applied
Easy peasy, as always.
1/22 - Two $100 AA gift cards purchased
1/24 - Amex credit applied
Easy peasy, as always.
Jan 26, 2018, 11:56 am
#572
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New York
Programs: SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 24
I recently changed an upcoming reservation on AA, using my Platinum Card. AMEX agent said they would cover the change fee (up to $200 of course) via the reimbursement. However, AA made one big charge for the entire flight change, instead of charging the fare difference and change fee separately. Will AMEX still recognize it and credit it, or will I have to call in and have them do it manually?
Jan 26, 2018, 12:07 pm
#573
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4
Switched to AA and order online GC, but no reimbursement
HI switched to AA this year since United registry not working. Bought 2 $100 GC on the same day, and been 14 days and still have not been reimbursed.
Jan 26, 2018, 1:24 pm
#574
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 100
Jan 27, 2018, 9:25 am
#575
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
I was wondering if I use the $200 in airline credit fee (2 x $100 gc) in January with AA, can I switch by January 31 to another airline to receive the 35% bonus for the remaining 11 months? Or does the credit and bonus have to be the same airline?
Jan 28, 2018, 8:27 am
#576
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
reply
Switched my airline from United to American and then bought a $100 AA gift card. Will see if/when reimbursement hits before buying a second one.
Jan 28, 2018, 11:06 pm
#577
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 7
Hey everybody,
I'm thinking of switching my airline to AA. Problem is I live in NJ and i'm not sure if AA lifted it's e-gift card ban on NJ residents. Can anybody from NJ confirm that they are able to buy gift cards and get the reimbursement?
I'm thinking of switching my airline to AA. Problem is I live in NJ and i'm not sure if AA lifted it's e-gift card ban on NJ residents. Can anybody from NJ confirm that they are able to buy gift cards and get the reimbursement?
Jan 30, 2018, 8:19 am
#579
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,260
Yes. Works fine for NJ residents now.
Jan 31, 2018, 7:32 am
#580
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
First ever dp on Aspire? 
Called Amex to designate AA (for some reason cannot do it online) on Jan 28 morning, bought $100 eGC in the evening
Credit posted Jan 30.
Called Amex to designate AA (for some reason cannot do it online) on Jan 28 morning, bought $100 eGC in the evening
Credit posted Jan 30.
Jan 31, 2018, 8:10 am
#581
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
Wrong thread kinda... This is for Membership Rewards / Retention offers. Might want to find an appropriate Hilton HHonors / Amex thread.
Jan 31, 2018, 8:23 am
#582
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Since the Aspire is an AMEX card offering an airline fee reimbursement feature on AA, seems like an appropriate contribution to the thread.
Jan 31, 2018, 8:35 am
#583
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
1/27 -- selected AA
1/27 -- purchased $50 gc
1/30 -- reimbursement
I'm going to do the remaining $200 tomorrow. Will post if there are any surprises.
Jan 31, 2018, 12:35 pm
#584
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,324
Same here -- except I was able to select my airline of choice on the Amex website for Aspire by going into the my benefits tab.
1/27 -- selected AA
1/27 -- purchased $50 gc
1/30 -- reimbursement
I'm going to do the remaining $200 tomorrow. Will post if there are any surprises.
1/27 -- selected AA
1/27 -- purchased $50 gc
1/30 -- reimbursement
I'm going to do the remaining $200 tomorrow. Will post if there are any surprises.
Jan 31, 2018, 1:09 pm
#585
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 77
1/24 --Purchased two separate $100 GC
1/26--Reimbursement
1/26--Reimbursement