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 5, 2020, 10:40 pm
#121
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5,867
I'm all for gaming the system as much as possible. But making an airfare purchase and cancelling to get the refund back on card while retaining the AMEX credit is really pushing it as far as I'm concerned.
Jan 5, 2020, 11:20 pm
#122
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,083
Do you think it’s pushing it if one actually flies on the <$100 flight that gets the Amex statement credit?
Jan 5, 2020, 11:31 pm
#123
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,083
Jan 6, 2020, 1:34 am
#125
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,083
What difference does it make then to Amex whether I fly on Southwest flight X or Y? Despite the terms of the statement credit, they are willing to give it for some flight purchases. I don’t think it’s abusive to book some flights but switch to others.
Jan 6, 2020, 5:57 am
#126
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 29
Purchased 3 tickets less than $100 totalling slightly above $200 on AMEX plat on Jan 2.
Credit posted today.
Credit posted today.
Jan 6, 2020, 8:06 am
#128
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,275
My timeline:
- 1 Jan AM: Called AMEX to change my airline to WN, later that day my accounts show that I have selected WN.
- 2 Jan AM: Bought WN tickets for $103.xx (Gold), $90.xx (Plat), $99.xx (Plat), $24.xx (Plat)
- 5 Jan AM: Gold meter shows all $100 used; Plat meter shows $90.xx used. (Other Plat purchases are still listed as pending.)
I will update as things progress.
- 1 Jan AM: Called AMEX to change my airline to WN, later that day my accounts show that I have selected WN.
- 2 Jan AM: Bought WN tickets for $103.xx (Gold), $90.xx (Plat), $99.xx (Plat), $24.xx (Plat)
- 5 Jan AM: Gold meter shows all $100 used; Plat meter shows $90.xx used. (Other Plat purchases are still listed as pending.)
I will update as things progress.
Jan 6, 2020, 10:20 am
#131
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
Going for triple dip.
Bought 2 $98 tickets for Southwest on 1/2
Credit shows up this morning on my Amex account for both tickets
Going to call and cancel the card and get AF reimbursed on Friday
Bought 2 $98 tickets for Southwest on 1/2
Credit shows up this morning on my Amex account for both tickets
Going to call and cancel the card and get AF reimbursed on Friday
Jan 6, 2020, 10:59 am
#132
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 30
I myself can confirm that the system is working as I just canceled and TFs are showing up.
Jan 6, 2020, 11:18 am
#133
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
FYI, MDW to DTW the last week of January has $99.98 flights.
Jan 6, 2020, 12:04 pm
#134
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 5,867
I don't believe we are talking about the same thing. I am referring to people who book a flight, cancel within 24 hours, and select refund to credit card. This allows them to basically keep the AMEX credit as a cash payment which is obviously NOT the intended use. IMO, that is pushing it too far.
Last edited by Sandeep1; Jan 6, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Jan 6, 2020, 12:24 pm
#135
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MSY
Programs: DL
Posts: 50
Without thinking I just did one transaction totaling $250.50 (Aspire) for me, wife, and kid. The receipt shows three separate payments but AMEX is showing a pending $250.50. Will these post individually <100 or for the total amount. Previous SW changes I've done with Chase have posted individually. Want to know if I need to refund to card before the 24 hours is up.