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)
Oct 6, 2021, 3:31 pm
#1051
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
I've read through 20 pages of this but cannot seem to find if situation below would be covered, so hoping FT'ers can advise.
I'm trying to use up the Plat credit while traveling with a minor child. Normally I would book adult's flight, then book the child's, then link over the phone/online. But historically linking PNR's after bookings has not been reliable for either getting boarding groups the same, or if rescheduling happens, We're traveling in winter to a snowy location, so issues are a risk.
The fare/date I want is really about $140, but I was thinking of doing this
a) find a different day which has a remimbursable level of fare (sub $100)
b) book adult and child on single PNR
c) get reimbursed, assuming both charges go through one at a time
d) change the ticket, pay the upcharge
e) get credited on the upcharge with any credit leftover?
If that upcharge is less than the $108 or so, any chance that (e) might reimbursed as an 'additional collection' ?
Thanks in advance!
I'm trying to use up the Plat credit while traveling with a minor child. Normally I would book adult's flight, then book the child's, then link over the phone/online. But historically linking PNR's after bookings has not been reliable for either getting boarding groups the same, or if rescheduling happens, We're traveling in winter to a snowy location, so issues are a risk.
The fare/date I want is really about $140, but I was thinking of doing this
a) find a different day which has a remimbursable level of fare (sub $100)
b) book adult and child on single PNR
c) get reimbursed, assuming both charges go through one at a time
d) change the ticket, pay the upcharge
e) get credited on the upcharge with any credit leftover?
If that upcharge is less than the $108 or so, any chance that (e) might reimbursed as an 'additional collection' ?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by akr1970akr; Oct 6, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Oct 7, 2021, 2:29 pm
#1052
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
AmEx has been reimbursing WN ticket purchases up to $108.98. for a couple of years now. If you convert tickets to TFs, be sure names exactly match on prior and new tickets. Multiple pax on the same PNR can complicate that. Better to use the rebooking feature for a 'second bite of the apple' with AmEx.
Oct 7, 2021, 10:45 pm
#1053
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
AmEx has been reimbursing WN ticket purchases up to $108.98. for a couple of years now. If you convert tickets to TFs, be sure names exactly match on prior and new tickets. Multiple pax on the same PNR can complicate that. Better to use the rebooking feature for a 'second bite of the apple' with AmEx.
Oct 13, 2021, 2:30 pm
#1054
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
Not really a DP or anything but just noting that I had 6 reimbursements across two plats for fares of
103.98
63.98
53.98
82.04
Amex has its own logic for how it orders airfares on the day, and how it reimburses them, so some were partials.
I did use a $50 eGC I had laying around as well, but I don't think that affecting anything.
These were all multi pax bookings as well.
103.98
63.98
53.98
82.04
Amex has its own logic for how it orders airfares on the day, and how it reimburses them, so some were partials.
I did use a $50 eGC I had laying around as well, but I don't think that affecting anything.
These were all multi pax bookings as well.
Oct 16, 2021, 12:13 pm
#1055
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 19
Got two $59 one-way fares reimbursed. Credit took 3 days to show up.
Oct 21, 2021, 11:32 am
#1056
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
Booked two one ways for $102.98 each. Got the credits about 3 days later.
Oct 24, 2021, 6:00 pm
#1057
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 767
Two sets of Early Bird ($31 x 2, $20 x 2) reimbursed after a few days
Oct 25, 2021, 2:08 pm
#1058
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 20
4 tickets, less than $100 each reimbursed after 5 days.
Oct 25, 2021, 4:21 pm
#1059
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 308
$86.xx of taxes and fees, reimbursed in a few days. I still have about $30 left to claim, and have to pay $115 of taxes on a companion ticket. I'm thinking it's unlikely that will be reimbursed, is it?
Oct 25, 2021, 6:48 pm
#1060
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 214
Does anyone know if PayPal can be used to trigger the credit or if u must use credit card at checkout?
Oct 27, 2021, 12:33 pm
#1061
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 17
Hilton Aspire $250 Credit
Pet Fee at $95.00 at the counter 10/14 Reimbursed 10/17
Pet Fee at $95.00 at the counter 10/16 Reimbursed 10/20
One way ticket $68.98 10/25 Reimbursed $60.00 10/27
Pet Fee at $95.00 at the counter 10/14 Reimbursed 10/17
Pet Fee at $95.00 at the counter 10/16 Reimbursed 10/20
One way ticket $68.98 10/25 Reimbursed $60.00 10/27
Last edited by sorrywereclosed; Oct 29, 2021 at 3:31 pm
Oct 28, 2021, 7:23 pm
#1062
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Posts: 727
Made four airfare charges under $80 same day on same card, only one of them showed up in meter and reimbursed next day. This was 3 days ago should I be worried?
Nov 11, 2021, 2:03 pm
#1063
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 460
Is there a best practice for the timing between buying the sub $109 ticket, seeing the Amex credit and turning the ticket into a travel credit?
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 11, 2021, 9:19 pm
#1064
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
If you cancel a WGA ticket within 24 hours after purchase, WN presents a choice of Travel Funds or refund. Don't take the refund. After 24 hours no choice, just Travel Funds. Probably won't see the AmEx credit for several days.
Nov 13, 2021, 2:58 pm
#1065
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 237
Do you know how long you have to use southwest credit? I believe UA you have up to 4 years to use travel bank.
