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 3, 2020, 10:07 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Newbie
Posts: 5
Just an update, it seems that Southwest website changed and will only allow you to apply the WHOLE southwest giftcard amount vs just a partial giftcard amount if you are looking to get under $100.
Unless I am doing something wrong.
Unless I am doing something wrong.
Jan 3, 2020, 12:04 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
It's been that way. Two workarounds: either buy a smaller gift card then apply it, or use the existing GC to buy a cheap ticket (they're out there under $40), turn the cheap ticket into TFs, then apply the TFs to get under $100ish.
Jan 3, 2020, 12:42 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 44
Anyone confirm yet if the <$100 flights qualify for the 2020 Airline credit for Amex Platinum/Biz Platinum?
Jan 3, 2020, 1:02 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: xLAS
Posts: 1,362
I have 5 cards with travel credits, Amex Biz Plat $200, Amex PRG $100, Amex Hilton Aspire $250, Citi Prestige $250, Chase CSR $300.
Southwest was my airline for all 3 Amex cards in 2019 and keeping it that way in 2020.
I plan to cancel Biz Plat & Prestige this year, so started with them first.
1/1/2020: Purchased $250 worth of Southwest GCs on the Prestige. Txn pending, will update this post with results once known.
1/1/2020: Purchased $172.98 Southwest flight (for my mom who will actually fly it). Used $75 in GCs and charged $97.98 to Amex Biz Plat. Txn pending, no meter movement or reimbursement yet. Will update this post with results once known.
Southwest was my airline for all 3 Amex cards in 2019 and keeping it that way in 2020.
I plan to cancel Biz Plat & Prestige this year, so started with them first.
1/1/2020: Purchased $250 worth of Southwest GCs on the Prestige. Txn pending, will update this post with results once known.
1/1/2020: Purchased $172.98 Southwest flight (for my mom who will actually fly it). Used $75 in GCs and charged $97.98 to Amex Biz Plat. Txn pending, no meter movement or reimbursement yet. Will update this post with results once known.
Jan 3, 2020, 1:36 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 61
Got 2 flights on Jan. 2 will let you know once credit posts. Charges are still pending. On a separate topic my swipe date for Dell was Dec. 30 but charge posted on Jan. 1 so most likely that will not use my 2019 Biz Plat Dell credit.
Jan 3, 2020, 4:00 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
Exactly. That is the triple dip. You've also got people who just get the card in December, get credits, then get them early again in January, and close the card to get an AF refund.
So, people who are in a rush to get their credits early in the year typically fall into one of the above 2 categories.
So, people who are in a rush to get their credits early in the year typically fall into one of the above 2 categories.
amex language used in their popup is very broad for a reason.
“based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, and the number of cards you have opened and closed.”
its time to change strategy for 2020 and beyond.
12/29: Bought 4 one way tickets under $100
12/30: Transactions posted
12/31: Under Benefits section, it says "You have used all of your $250 Airline Fee Credit for this year.It will renew again starting Jan 2020"
Waiting for credits to actually post. Which I'm assuming will be the next business day.. Was able to use the remaining credits for 2019 and will get a new set of credits for 2020...
Credits posted on 12/31
12/30: Transactions posted
12/31: Under Benefits section, it says "You have used all of your $250 Airline Fee Credit for this year.It will renew again starting Jan 2020"
Waiting for credits to actually post. Which I'm assuming will be the next business day.. Was able to use the remaining credits for 2019 and will get a new set of credits for 2020...
Credits posted on 12/31
link to useful blog post.
https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2019/...credit-voucher
I had read somewhere that by using the funds to purchase a ticket and you cancel again, your new funds will be the date of your latest purchase. I am not sure if I read the post/blog correctly, or maybe that loophole was closed. I heard that SW was allowing you one cancellation to get this informal extension on your credit.
https://saverocity.com/pointsadventu...nmix-new-funds
Last edited by GundamWing01; Jan 3, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Jan 3, 2020, 4:11 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
12/30 - Called to book flight for 3 year old (attached to wife's confirmation number for same flight) $92.
12/30 - Booked wife on BWI to MDW $54 in March
1/3 - Both transactions posted credits. Ended up burning like $8 of credits
12/30 - Booked wife on BWI to MDW $54 in March
1/3 - Both transactions posted credits. Ended up burning like $8 of credits
Jan 3, 2020, 4:29 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: reddit churning
Posts: 26
Been that way as far as I've been doing this.
Jan 3, 2020, 4:43 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5,851
Their shareholders will
Many people, especially the commando churners, have already hit their bonus on each AMEX card so they aren't worried about bonuses anymore. They are just hitting the cards for the residual benefits, especially in the case of the Biz Plat which doesn't count against Chase 5/24.
yea. im sure thats a major reason, but amex doesnt play games anymore. this has been clear the past several months. meaning, people who are triple dipping and doing other questionable activities should also consider pop-up bans and bonus clawbacks even when NLL is used.
amex language used in their popup is very broad for a reason.
“based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, and the number of cards you have opened and closed.”
its time to change strategy for 2020 and beyond.
amex language used in their popup is very broad for a reason.
“based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, and the number of cards you have opened and closed.”
its time to change strategy for 2020 and beyond.
Jan 3, 2020, 5:12 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
you mean just like citi and AA shareholders?
its always comical whenever this community believes large banks will become the next Sears, TRUs, or Forever 21 just because they have unhappy churners. we are a small annoying spec on their overall balance sheet and they are actively removing that risk. however, i will agree that after another financial collapse, banks will loosen their policies again.
its not just about hitting bonuses. if amex if willing to send you a bill for dell credit on a closed CC from a year ago, it means they DGAF. meaning, i dont want people in this thread to think amex will just sit back and allow WN air fares sub $100 to get credited forever. its a risk and we are all taking it with caution. i certainly dont want to see a bill later this year on a closed CC.
its always comical whenever this community believes large banks will become the next Sears, TRUs, or Forever 21 just because they have unhappy churners. we are a small annoying spec on their overall balance sheet and they are actively removing that risk. however, i will agree that after another financial collapse, banks will loosen their policies again.
Many people, especially the commando churners, have already hit their bonus on each AMEX card so they aren't worried about bonuses anymore. They are just hitting the cards for the residual benefits, especially in the case of the Biz Plat which doesn't count against Chase 5/24.
Jan 3, 2020, 5:21 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5,851
you mean just like citi and AA shareholders?
its always comical whenever this community believes large banks will become the next Sears, TRUs, or Forever 21 just because they have unhappy churners. we are a small annoying spec on their overall balance sheet and they are actively removing that risk. however, i will agree that after another financial collapse, banks will loosen their policies again.
its always comical whenever this community believes large banks will become the next Sears, TRUs, or Forever 21 just because they have unhappy churners. we are a small annoying spec on their overall balance sheet and they are actively removing that risk. however, i will agree that after another financial collapse, banks will loosen their policies again.
its not just about hitting bonuses. if amex if willing to send you a bill for dell credit on a closed CC from a year ago, it means they DGAF. meaning, i dont want people in this thread to think amex will just sit back and allow WN air fares sub $100 to get credited forever. its a risk and we are all taking it with caution. i certainly dont want to see a bill later this year on a closed CC.
Jan 3, 2020, 5:29 pm
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5,851
Another and more legit way to use this credit is adding Early Bird to your flights. Also, I’m pretty sure the airline fee credit can be used for Southwest‘s boarding group upgrade, so that may be a good option. This is where when you’re at the gate you can ask if they have any boarding group upgrades and if they do they will usually charge you $40 or $50 and you will get an A 1 through A15 boarding pass.
Jan 3, 2020, 10:06 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 33
Buying a flight for myself and three kids (all under 12) to island hop from Oahu to Kauai. Flights are $49. Can I buy it all 4 tickets at the same time with my platinum and they will code as 4 $49 flights or will it post as a $196 transaction and not get reimbursed? Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks
Jan 3, 2020, 11:04 pm
#59
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 40
Will not get reimbursed. Can do yourself and one kid. Then call in to book the other two together and link it to yours.
Jan 3, 2020, 11:15 pm
#60
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 81
12/29 - Purchased 2x $49 tickets on same reservation
12/31 - Received $98 reimbursement
12/30 - Purchased 2x $49 tickets on same reservation
1/3 - Received $98 reimbursement
Both reimbursements applied to my 2019 credit
12/31 - Received $98 reimbursement
12/30 - Purchased 2x $49 tickets on same reservation
1/3 - Received $98 reimbursement
Both reimbursements applied to my 2019 credit