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)
Feb 27, 2021, 1:39 pm
#946
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 16
Hoping to solicit some advice on a WN fee reimbursement before outreaching AmEx. Changed my airline from UA to WN via online chat on 1/29. Perhaps this is where I erred, but I bought a $98.97 ticket about 30 mins later (after confirming online that WN was listed as my chosen airline. The reimbursement hasn't posted, but a later tkt purchased ($49.98) was credited back two days later, like most people's experience.
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2021, 1:45 pm
#947
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 240
Hoping to solicit some advice on a WN fee reimbursement before outreaching AmEx. Changed my airline from UA to WN via online chat on 1/29. Perhaps this is where I erred, but I bought a $98.97 ticket about 30 mins later (after confirming online that WN was listed as my chosen airline. The reimbursement hasn't posted, but a later tkt purchased ($49.98) was credited back two days later, like most people's experience.
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2021, 2:16 pm
#948
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,578
Hoping to solicit some advice on a WN fee reimbursement before outreaching AmEx. Changed my airline from UA to WN via online chat on 1/29. Perhaps this is where I erred, but I bought a $98.97 ticket about 30 mins later (after confirming online that WN was listed as my chosen airline. The reimbursement hasn't posted, but a later tkt purchased ($49.98) was credited back two days later, like most people's experience.
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2021, 2:54 pm
#949
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,061
Hoping to solicit some advice on a WN fee reimbursement before outreaching AmEx. Changed my airline from UA to WN via online chat on 1/29. Perhaps this is where I erred, but I bought a $98.97 ticket about 30 mins later (after confirming online that WN was listed as my chosen airline. The reimbursement hasn't posted, but a later tkt purchased ($49.98) was credited back two days later, like most people's experience.
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Should I wait until the Amex-stated 6 weeks after transaction date to call (or online chat them?). Anything to say to boost my odds? Ticket is for travel on 3/12 (I actually thought I would be using it!), but now need to cancel, although am holding off for now. Thanks!
Feb 27, 2021, 4:10 pm
#950
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 16
This is the exact epitome of absurd greed that kills good things for everyone. This is not an official approved way to get reimbursement, so you have ZERO grounds if it doesn't credit. If it doesn't, ACCEPT IT AND MOVE ON. Do NOT call, email, anything. Just keep quiet.
You obviously have a low opinion of fellow FTers - especially this one, whose been around since 2009 - if you think I would be stupid enough to call AmEx and say “heyuh, why ain’t you payin’ me back fer sumpthin’ I shouldn’t be paid back fer?” My acknowledgement that making a booking soon after changing airlines shoulda been a context clue that this ain’t my first rodeo.
You could’ve answered with something like “Sorry, what happens in the AmEx reimbursement forum stays in the AmEx reimbursement forum,” but then again, witty and clever doesn’t seem to be in your arsenal...
Feb 28, 2021, 6:13 pm
#951
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
WN as selected airline carried over from 2020 on both Gold and Plat. $99 tix (x3) purchased 2/23, credit posted 2/27.
Question: I’m an AU on my father’s Gold. If he selects WN and I make the purchase with my AU account, will the credit go on my statement? Basically just want to know if a) AU purchases count and b) if I’ll see the credit.
Question: I’m an AU on my father’s Gold. If he selects WN and I make the purchase with my AU account, will the credit go on my statement? Basically just want to know if a) AU purchases count and b) if I’ll see the credit.
Mar 3, 2021, 6:40 pm
#952
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 1
Absurd greed??? And the 64 pages of data points from people confirming that their ticket purchases credited in a couple days differ in what way, exactly?
You obviously have a low opinion of fellow FTers - especially this one, whose been around since 2009 - if you think I would be stupid enough to call AmEx and say “heyuh, why ain’t you payin’ me back fer sumpthin’ I shouldn’t be paid back fer?” My acknowledgement that making a booking soon after changing airlines shoulda been a context clue that this ain’t my first rodeo.
You could’ve answered with something like “Sorry, what happens in the AmEx reimbursement forum stays in the AmEx reimbursement forum,” but then again, witty and clever doesn’t seem to be in your arsenal...
You obviously have a low opinion of fellow FTers - especially this one, whose been around since 2009 - if you think I would be stupid enough to call AmEx and say “heyuh, why ain’t you payin’ me back fer sumpthin’ I shouldn’t be paid back fer?” My acknowledgement that making a booking soon after changing airlines shoulda been a context clue that this ain’t my first rodeo.
You could’ve answered with something like “Sorry, what happens in the AmEx reimbursement forum stays in the AmEx reimbursement forum,” but then again, witty and clever doesn’t seem to be in your arsenal...
In your first message, you said "when should I call/chat?" That literally means you were going to call/chat if you didn't receive your credit. So yes, your response shows that you were going to inform Amex of this loophole. For the record, you need to wait a few days after switching to WN before you purchase for thecredit to register. Don't ruin it for other people.
Mar 3, 2021, 8:32 pm
#953
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
We may have a new low! 2/28 purchased an award flight one way using $5.02 travel funds, charge $0.58 to aspire card was was credited $0.58 on 3/2
Mar 3, 2021, 8:33 pm
#954
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
In your first message, you said "when should I call/chat?" That literally means you were going to call/chat if you didn't receive your credit. So yes, your response shows that you were going to inform Amex of this loophole. For the record, you need to wait a few days after switching to WN before you purchase for thecredit to register. Don't ruin it for other people.
Mar 4, 2021, 5:21 am
#955
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
On February 28, I booked flights on Southwest for $98, $98, and $52 on my AMEX Hilton Aspire card.
The three flight purchases were reimbursed on March 3.
The three flight purchases were reimbursed on March 3.
Mar 7, 2021, 10:28 am
#956
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
I’ve got four flights booked that I won’t fly. I can cancel or change the flights to other speculative ones later. I vaguely remember that one of these ways limited the amount of times one could change the flight but I can’t remember which way was more restrictive. Do any of you remember?
Ideally, I’d like to cancel and use travel funds when needed (and be able to repeatedly cancel if needed bc things are so crazy right now).
Ideally, I’d like to cancel and use travel funds when needed (and be able to repeatedly cancel if needed bc things are so crazy right now).
Mar 7, 2021, 10:41 am
#957
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
I’ve got four flights booked that I won’t fly. I can cancel or change the flights to other speculative ones later. I vaguely remember that one of these ways limited the amount of times one could change the flight but I can’t remember which way was more restrictive. Do any of you remember? Ideally, I’d like to cancel and use travel funds when needed (and be able to repeatedly cancel if needed bc things are so crazy right now).
Since WN limits ticket purchases to three payments, you may wish to combine the four old PNRs into two new dummy ones, so that you don't exceed the limitation of three for the final large ticket purchase.
Mar 7, 2021, 9:47 pm
#958
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select
Posts: 469
I don't think it matters if you cancel or change the flight since you only have ONE YEAR from the original date of issue to use your ticket/funds. But keep in mind Tanic's points above.
Mar 7, 2021, 11:14 pm
#959
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
The key is to avoid combining different purchase dates on a new PNR. New tickets inherit the earliest date; if they are all the same approximate date, not a problem.
Since WN limits ticket purchases to three payments, you may wish to combine the four old PNRs into two new dummy ones, so that you don't exceed the limitation of three for the final large ticket purchase.
Since WN limits ticket purchases to three payments, you may wish to combine the four old PNRs into two new dummy ones, so that you don't exceed the limitation of three for the final large ticket purchase.
A couple of years ago, you were limited to one change for either changing or travel funding it. I just can’t remember which one. And yes that is correct that the funds expire one year from purchase date.
Mar 8, 2021, 10:58 am
#960
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 47
I think I messed this one up and may cost myself $94. Last week, I booked two one ways at $104.98 and $93.98. Realizing the former might be too high for reimbursement, I canceled it and booked an earlier flight for $93.98. The refund from southwest for $104.98 came through a day later.
Logged into Amex this morning and saw three airline reimbursements for $104.98, $93.98, and $1.04. The reimbursement for $104.98 will surely be clawed back and the meter not reset, right? Obviously not going to call in about this one...
Logged into Amex this morning and saw three airline reimbursements for $104.98, $93.98, and $1.04. The reimbursement for $104.98 will surely be clawed back and the meter not reset, right? Obviously not going to call in about this one...