Jan 7, 2020, 8:01 am
Last edit by: rrgg
Many commonly asked questions are answered in this post.
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."
Wait several hours or even a day before making the purchase, although several DPs show it works without waiting that long.
(Posters often refer to Southwest as WN which is its IATA code. The code SW is assigned to Air Namibia.)
As of late July 2019, direct gift card purchases are no longer reimbursed.
To read discussion from 2011-2019, 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."
Wait several hours or even a day before making the purchase, although several DPs show it works without waiting that long.
(Posters often refer to Southwest as WN which is its IATA code. The code SW is assigned to Air Namibia.)
As of late July 2019, direct gift card purchases are no longer reimbursed.
- What does appear to work is buying flight tickets less than $109, OR using gift cards to get the charged amount down to less than $109. Given Amex's recent behavior in other areas, some feel there is real risk that Amex will decide to claw back this type of reimbursement someday.
- If you buy a ticket where you use travel funds to reduce the total charge to your Amex below $109, it will be reimbursed.
- Fees can be reimbursed for any traveler. The name doesn't matter as long as the charge is on your American Express or that of an authorized cardholder.n
- As of 1/1/22 Gold card accounts do not qualify for airline credit.
To read discussion from 2011-2019, click HERE
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: WN (Southwest) only (2020-21)
Jan 14, 2020, 6:21 am
#241
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 18
Has anyone had any experience getting reimbursement for the fee when transferring points from one Rewards member to another if less than $100? I know it's not the ultimate scenario in regards to value of points, but I may have a need in the near future. Thank you.
Jan 14, 2020, 8:21 am
#242
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: marriott platinum, AS Gold
Posts: 105
Jan 12, buy one ticket at 88 USD, but cancel it immediately, refund to credit card.
Jan 13, both refund and charge is displayed in Amex, the meter not move.
Maybe, I should try cancel within 24 hours, not immediately.
Jan 13, both refund and charge is displayed in Amex, the meter not move.
Maybe, I should try cancel within 24 hours, not immediately.
Jan 14, 2020, 8:40 am
#243
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 77
Jan 9, changed to SWA as the airline; in 10 minutes after that bought four 1 way tickets of approx $50 each. Jan 10 (after about 14 hours from purchase), refunded all 4 tickets within 24 hours. AMEX credit appeared on Jan 11.
Jan 14, 2020, 9:07 am
#244
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,947
Can you clarify? Did you refund all 4 tix back to your Amex or refund back to your Southwest account for future travel? And do you mean the travel credit appeared or just your refund?
Jan 14, 2020, 9:11 am
#245
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,947
DP re taxes on point rewards ticket:
1/10: Changed airline benefit to SWA and immediately got email confirmation
1/10: 15 minutes later booked 4 tix with rewards and $11 taxes/ticket.
1/12: Charges posted to Amex as 4 separate transactions (meter didn't move)
1/13: Travel credit posted as 4 separate transactions and meter moved
1/10: Changed airline benefit to SWA and immediately got email confirmation
1/10: 15 minutes later booked 4 tix with rewards and $11 taxes/ticket.
1/12: Charges posted to Amex as 4 separate transactions (meter didn't move)
1/13: Travel credit posted as 4 separate transactions and meter moved
Jan 14, 2020, 11:34 am
#246
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 442
1/10: Purchased two $99.98 flights
1/14: Travel credit posted.
1/14: Travel credit posted.
Jan 14, 2020, 2:04 pm
#248
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 286
I see a lot of DPs buying after the new calendar year because the credit reset. Wouldn't it make more sense to buy later in the year or before AF hits since the Southwest travel voucher is only good for one year? I'm still sitting on a couple hundred vouchers I just purchased last month.
Jan 14, 2020, 2:29 pm
#249
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 6
What’s the max?
I see everyone here looking to get the charge as close to $100 as possible. I bought and was reimbursed for 5 flights at $109 each in December (on different cards). Any DPs for more money than $109? Any 2020 DPs over $100?
Jan 14, 2020, 3:30 pm
#250
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,947
Jan 14, 2020, 3:31 pm
#251
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,947
I see a lot of DPs buying after the new calendar year because the credit reset. Wouldn't it make more sense to buy later in the year or before AF hits since the Southwest travel voucher is only good for one year? I'm still sitting on a couple hundred vouchers I just purchased last month.
Jan 14, 2020, 3:40 pm
#252
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 140
I see a lot of DPs buying after the new calendar year because the credit reset. Wouldn't it make more sense to buy later in the year or before AF hits since the Southwest travel voucher is only good for one year? I'm still sitting on a couple hundred vouchers I just purchased last month.
Jan 14, 2020, 5:38 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
You can do that stuff, but what if Amex decides to set some of their data miners loose looking for this kind of conduct?
One ticket canceled within a 24 hour window might be explainable.
A whole pile looks abusive, and could eventually be clawed back.
And if they do a clawback late in the year, when you don't have any other natural travel, you may just end up out the incidentals credit.
As alluded above by someone w/r/t to Citi & AA, it seems like issuers/brands are getting harder nosed about cleaning the casino out of those enjoying the free drinks & comps, and not gambling....
One ticket canceled within a 24 hour window might be explainable.
A whole pile looks abusive, and could eventually be clawed back.
And if they do a clawback late in the year, when you don't have any other natural travel, you may just end up out the incidentals credit.
As alluded above by someone w/r/t to Citi & AA, it seems like issuers/brands are getting harder nosed about cleaning the casino out of those enjoying the free drinks & comps, and not gambling....