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)
#1711
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: United 1P
Posts: 688
I cancelled an award flight last year and I did not get the credit automatically.
It was coded as Document Type: FREQUENT FLYER FEE/PURCHASE
I called up and was told to wait the full 4 weeks before they could take a look at it. After 4 weeks I called in. Every time I was connected to the Indian call center I was told that award cancellation fees are not an eligible purchase. After finally reaching a US rep they also said it was not eligible but was able to credit me $75 a a gesture of good will. I don't know how everyone else was able to get the full reimbursement.
It was coded as Document Type: FREQUENT FLYER FEE/PURCHASE
I called up and was told to wait the full 4 weeks before they could take a look at it. After 4 weeks I called in. Every time I was connected to the Indian call center I was told that award cancellation fees are not an eligible purchase. After finally reaching a US rep they also said it was not eligible but was able to credit me $75 a a gesture of good will. I don't know how everyone else was able to get the full reimbursement.
#1712
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,114
Buying miles
Any recent data points on buying miles on AA.com? Wonder if that will trigger the reimbursement.
#1713
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: California
Programs: Amex platinum card
Posts: 1
Reimbursement for aa GC
I just got off the phone with AMEX and told them this was a pet fee that I've paid for before last year. I bought my $100 GC 2/22 and was not credited. Gentlemen said I will see my credit in 5 business days. I got lucky. Guess will have to purchase lower amounts next time. That seems to be working for others.
#1714
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,114
#1715
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I just got off the phone with AMEX and told them this was a pet fee that I've paid for before last year. I bought my $100 GC 2/22 and was not credited. Gentlemen said I will see my credit in 5 business days. I got lucky. Guess will have to purchase lower amounts next time. That seems to be working for others.
#1716
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
#1717
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pacific
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14
i paid for baggage and pet fee on 2/12 but didnt get the airline credit. Noticed it was coded as Gift Card and called up CS, they credited me no questions asked. Also changed my airline designation with no issues. Luck of the draw i guess
#1718
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,927
Is everything being coded as Gift Card (and if so, does anyone know why)?
#1719
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
It could work because AA does not outsource mileage purchases to a third party. The problem is that buying miles is only cost effective if you buy a large amount, because that is the way AA structures their promotions. A large purchase is less likely to be mistaken for a fee.
This works:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...multiplier.jsp
This works:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...multiplier.jsp
Also has anyone confirmed the 500-miles purchases?
#1720
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: Ink/Sapphire/Freedom/SPG
Posts: 338
Can i use half of the credit to one airline and then request Amex to change the airline?
I need to buy checked in baggage for JetBlue next month but just 30 or 60$ but after that I do not know if i will be flying Jet blue again.
I need to buy checked in baggage for JetBlue next month but just 30 or 60$ but after that I do not know if i will be flying Jet blue again.
#1721
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,884
Improbable. Once you have chosen an airline the terms do not permit changes until January of the next year. In practice, if no expenses have been reimbursed this year a customer service agent may make an exception, but once you have spent some of the allowance the probability of an exception is very low.
#1722
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,055
#1723
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 699
Improbable. Once you have chosen an airline the terms do not permit changes until January of the next year. In practice, if no expenses have been reimbursed this year a customer service agent may make an exception, but once you have spent some of the allowance the probability of an exception is very low.
#1724
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
Sorry if this has been covered upthread, but has anyone seen if seat selection fees on an existing reservation get the statement credit? A workaround could be:
1) Buy a refundable ticket.
2) Go into the res and make a seat selection that costs money.
3) Cancel the whole res.
Im not sure if seat res fees are refundable, and thats essential information before anyone tries this.
1) Buy a refundable ticket.
2) Go into the res and make a seat selection that costs money.
3) Cancel the whole res.
Im not sure if seat res fees are refundable, and thats essential information before anyone tries this.
#1725
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 26
Any data points for getting an airline change via SM?
3/16/19 addendum: Worked quickly via chat on desktop. Thanks.
3/16/19 addendum: Worked quickly via chat on desktop. Thanks.
Last edited by meta99; Mar 16, 2019 at 11:13 am Reason: addendum