Jan 6, 2020, 1:19 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
Please read: This is a community-maintained wiki post containing the most important information from this thread. You may edit the Wiki once you have been on FT for 90 days and have made 90 posts.
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."
Credit posting delays range from several business days (typical) to several weeks (seen in Oct 2015). The T&Cs state that it could take up to four weeks, so wait at least that long before worrying, and certainly don't contact Amex prematurely
Caution: effective from 22 June 2019, gift card purchases from Delta do not get reimbursed.
Read this primer first
Additional Collections/Split Tender -- THIS IS A LOOPHOLE. BE DISCREET
Quote:
TL;DR: Anything coded as an additional collection (a.k.a. add/collect or a/c), including difference in fare when changing flights,and accepting an FCM offer, also triggers the credit and will be reimbursed, provided that the amount charged to your card is $250 or less (regardless of card type, e.g. there have been reports of full $100 credit for Gold card on a/c over $100 and full $200 credit for Plat on a/c over $200, but always $250 or less)
How to do it: With waived fee for cancellation/changes on non-refundable tickets (due to COVID-19) you get an eCredit when cancelling it, so you can:
Paying for a ticket partially with SkyMiles
NOTE that DL has two different programs for partially paying with SkyMiles, that seem superficially similar, but are quite different
other non Gift Card options
these may not credit automatically, but people have had success getting them processed manually after the fact
(DEAD) eGift Card (eCert) details
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."
Credit posting delays range from several business days (typical) to several weeks (seen in Oct 2015). The T&Cs state that it could take up to four weeks, so wait at least that long before worrying, and certainly don't contact Amex prematurely
Caution: effective from 22 June 2019, gift card purchases from Delta do not get reimbursed.
Read this primer first
- In the Amex Membership Rewards family, both the Consumer and Business versions of the Platinum and Centurion cards qualify for a $200 airline credit. The Premier Rewards Gold (PRG) card is eligible for a $100 airline credit (the Gold credit is going away in 2022). Hilton Aspire AMEX is eligible for a $250 airline credit.
- You must click here to select Delta as your enrolled airline before you make a reimbursable purchase, else the benefit won't apply. The feature is activated immediately upon airline designation.
- If you've selected DL in the past and don't wish to change airlines, there's no need to select again; current selection rolls into future years until modified.
- The T&Cs state the eligible charges, but YMMV, so don't call and ask especially about the fuzzier cases below because that will probably hasten closing of any loopholes.
- The credit is per account, not per card. If the main account has authorized users with additional cards, eligible charges may still be made on those cards, but they'll count jointly towards the same account limit.
- Credits are capped per calendar year, meaning you could tap the full amount on Dec 31st and again on Jan 1st in the extreme. Transaction date, not posting date, determines the year. Note: This is not my experience. I purchased Dec 31, 2016, posted Jan 1, 2017 and went against my 2017 credit. (TheMadBrewer)
- You will get a partial credit to bring your total annual reimbursements to the limit exactly if a qualifying charge takes you past the limit.
- After four weeks, if you've read this Wiki carefully and posted here seeking assistance but the credit still has not arrived, consider chatting with Amex online. Politely mention the "Delta extras" you thought would be reimbursed within four weeks and they'll handle it.
Additional Collections/Split Tender -- THIS IS A LOOPHOLE. BE DISCREET
Quote:
TL;DR: Anything coded as an additional collection (a.k.a. add/collect or a/c), including difference in fare when changing flights,
How to do it: With waived fee for cancellation/changes on non-refundable tickets (due to COVID-19) you get an eCredit when cancelling it, so you can:
- Buy a non-refundable ticket with any combination of gift card/eCredit plus your AMEX, again provided that the residual amount charged to your card is $250 or less
- After credit has posted, and at least 48 hours after buying it, cancel it (ensure there's no fee for cancelling it) so you get an updated eCredit for the full ticket amount.
- alternatively, if you buy a ticket far enough in the future, there is no particular need to cancel the ticket, just change it once you have some new dates or itinerary in mind (you can change origin, destination or both)
- however, note that the waiver of change fees on Basic Economy tickets is ending: https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-p...sbeforeapril30
- thus you should use main cabin tickets for this purpose (assuming DL does not extend the BE policy due to omicron etc.)
- You can even use the result of (2) as an eCredit to repeat step 1 with a different AMEX card if you have multiples. Note that in this context, changing an unflown future ticket is exactly equivalent to an eCredit in the amount of the ticket's value.
- Relevantly, split tender where you partially pay with a gift card, existing credit, VDB voucher etc. and partly charged to your card, are processed by DL as an add/collect and trigger the credit per above.
- Thus if you anticipate actually buying, say, a $200 DL ticket, you could buy a single $50 gift card, then buy the ticket using $50 GC and $150 on your card (the $150 will be reimbursed). This is just an example; as per the previous bullet there is no reason it needs to be specifically $50, or even a gift card. The "additional collection" is what leads to the credit, the reason why it is "additional" is unimportant.
- In general, only additional collections less than ~$250 are automatically reimbursed. If you use a $50 gift card to buy a $500 ticket, a $450 additional collection will be generated but it will not be auto-reimbursed by Amex.
- If you already have gift cards or ecredits in particular denominations that don't line up well with the price of the ticket you want to buy (additional collection will end up being too much to get auto-reimbursed or too little to efficiently use up the fee credit), consider whether you may be able to reach a better outcome by splitting up the purchase -- buying a round trip as two one ways or buying multiple passengers separately. But, note that buying 2 one-ways instead of a round trip can sometimes cost more, making it not worthwhile, and note the caveats about multiple passenger purchases below, as well as considering the risk that buying 2 passengers separately can have negative implications for Medallion upgrades (if applicable) as well as creating the risk that you are separated from your travel companions if there is a flight cancellation.
- The "additional collection" transaction notation shows up after the transaction posts, on the website only (both desktop and mobile) if you click into a transaction to view the details (it does not appear in the app, or while the purchase is pending)
- Note that special care is needed when booking tickets for 2 or more people in a single transaction.
- When booking multiple people in a single transaction on Delta.com, each person's ticket charges to the credit card in a separate transaction, and gift cards are used starting with the first ticket until they are exhausted. So for example if you were booking 2x $210 tickets, for a total transaction of $420, if you used a $200 gift card the charges would post to Amex as a $10 additional collection on the first person and a $210 regular ticket charge for the second person, resulting in only a $10 reimbursement. For the same two tickets if you used a $220 gift card, the first person would be covered entirely by the gift card and the second person's ticket would charge as a $190 additional collection, resulting in a $190 reimbursement.
- This would work differently if ecredits are used instead of gift cards since ecredits are not transferrable -- ecredits can only be applied to a ticket for a person whose name is on the ecredit; if other people are booked in the same transaction, any leftover ecredit balance will *not* be applied to those other people.
- Canceling a ticket within the 24-hour[1] risk-free period generally results in funds being returned to where they came from (GC back to GC and CC back to CC) even if the ticket is non-refundable; also, Delta interprets the 24-hour risk free cancellation period generously -- you actually have until midnight of the day following the day of booking (in which time zone is oft-speculated but unclear). Thus, this can work out to nearly 48 hours if the timing is exactly right. Hence the suggestion above to cancel only after 48 hours, or avoid canceling altogether.
- Caution when buying multiple tickets in a single transaction: for example if you buy two $125 tickets in one transaction (total $250) and use one $100 GC or even two $50 GCs, they will all be applied to the same ticket and you would see one additional collection for $25 on that ticket and a separate "normal" charge for $125 for the second ticket. In this scenario only $25 will be reimbursed (instead of the $150 you might be expecting). In this situation you would need to book the two tickets separately to get the credit on each one.
- FCM offers may require accepting for the entire trip (vs just one segment) or calling in to up-fare the whole trip (please post data points either way)
Paying for a ticket partially with SkyMiles
NOTE that DL has two different programs for partially paying with SkyMiles, that seem superficially similar, but are quite different
- Pay With Miles is a feature available to DL-branded AMEX cardholders that lets you pay for part of your ticket using SkyMiles in increments of 5,000 miles = $50. If you use PWM then the remaining amount charged to your card posts as additional collection and will qualify for the fee credit (multiple data points)
- Miles + Cash is like buying an award ticket but using cash to substitute for some of the miles. As an example, you might be offered a ticket for 40,000 miles + $5.60, or 30,000 miles + $205.60 (these numbers are made up). If you choose the latter option what you are really doing is buying 10,000 miles for $200, then using those 10,000 miles plus 30,000 that you already had to buy the 40,000 ticket + $5.60 in taxes. This will post as two separate transactions, $200 for the miles purchase, and $5.60 for the taxes on the award ticket. The $5.60 will be reimbursed (just like any other award ticket). The $200 seems like it does not get automatically reimbursed, although it may post as "Frequent Flyer Fee/Purchase" in which case you have a pretty good case for getting it credited manually by contacting AMEX.
- Note: Miles + Cash is usually a terrible value (even for SkyMiles)
- See the list of FAQs at the bottom of the "Pay With Miles" page for more info (search in particular for "What is the difference between Pay with Miles and Miles + Cash?")
other non Gift Card options
- baggage and other service fees (same day change/standby, change fees, etc.)
- taxes on award flights (including the $5.60 September 11 security fee)
- in-flight purchases (EXCEPT wifi) -- although currently nothing available due to COVID?
- SkyClub access/guest fees (but NOT gift cards purchased at a SC, which are actually activated at a 3rd party web site)
mileage boosts (post 2499)trip extras have been discontinuedThe $59 for Delta Skymiles Select is reimbursed (posts 2180, 2182)SkyMiles Select is no longer available for purchase
these may not credit automatically, but people have had success getting them processed manually after the fact
- seat purchase fees (if you buy an upgrade and it does not credit automatically and you call in, do not call it an upgrade, call it a seat purchase/assignment fee)
- premium beverages purchased in the Sky Club (post 462)
(DEAD) eGift Card (eCert) details
- gift cards have not worked since 2019/06/22 and this section has been removed to save space. See the 2015-2019 version of this thread for historical details.
Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2020-21)
Feb 20, 2020, 10:44 pm
#436
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 16
very thankful for this thread !
(first post)
DP:
Bought a one way ticket - $285
2/14 - $110 GC - $175 gold card.
2/15 - $175 posted to card
2/19 - meter moved and $100 credited to statement.
(first post)
DP:
Bought a one way ticket - $285
2/14 - $110 GC - $175 gold card.
2/15 - $175 posted to card
2/19 - meter moved and $100 credited to statement.
Feb 21, 2020, 1:44 am
#437
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
Can you elaborate a bit as to why? Your FT profile doesn't mention DL status but if it's for checked bags, that's routinely given to companions checking in at the same time even on separate reservations. It's true that upgrade priority works differently on separate-but-linked reservations. I guess on a single reservation there's the peace of mind that you will be reaccommodated together in the event of IRROPs...
Feb 21, 2020, 6:37 am
#438
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 38
Paid with points, had $236 remaining on bill. Paid with Platinum
Remainder of $186 fee credited within a week.
Remainder of $186 fee credited within a week.
Feb 21, 2020, 7:08 am
#439
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Avis Preffered, Delta GM
Posts: 236
Has anyone been reimbursed for a seat upgrade? I have the Ameriprise version of the card and will be canceled before I book my next set of flights. I have some flights booked already and ensuring I sit up front would be a nice way to use the $200.
Feb 21, 2020, 7:13 am
#440
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
If you use Search this Thread with the keyword "upgrade" you will find about 20 posts discussing this issue. In general, an "upgrade" to another class of service is not reimbursed, but a charge to choose a better seat in the same cabin may be reimbursed as a "seat selection" fee.
Feb 21, 2020, 8:36 am
#441
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,240
If you use Search this Thread with the keyword "upgrade" you will find about 20 posts discussing this issue. In general, an "upgrade" to another class of service is not reimbursed, but a charge to choose a better seat in the same cabin may be reimbursed as a "seat selection" fee.
Feb 21, 2020, 9:21 am
#442
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
Can you elaborate a bit as to why? Your FT profile doesn't mention DL status but if it's for checked bags, that's routinely given to companions checking in at the same time even on separate reservations. It's true that upgrade priority works differently on separate-but-linked reservations. I guess on a single reservation there's the peace of mind that you will be reaccommodated together in the event of IRROPs...
Booked the tickets last night; not that we need another datapoint but I can confirm that on one rez the charges were separate from DL, and the gift card was applied to one of the two.
Feb 21, 2020, 11:31 am
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Yeah forgot to update that, but DL silver. Not much, but should be free C+ on these midweek flights. Also the +1 is a minor; even stuff like checking in is easier if you're on the same rez (you can do it from the computer rather than going to the desk).
Booked the tickets last night; not that we need another datapoint but I can confirm that on one rez the charges were separate from DL, and the gift card was applied to one of the two.
Booked the tickets last night; not that we need another datapoint but I can confirm that on one rez the charges were separate from DL, and the gift card was applied to one of the two.
The main thing I'd be concerned about in your case with two different numbers if a case of IROPS. If something happens that the flight cancels if you are travelling with a non-rev could be a pain with the order you'll be placed on the standby list if the nextr flight is full.
Feb 21, 2020, 12:51 pm
#444
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
Ok, following up on using the Amex Platinum for premium beverages at a SkyClub.
I spent ~$20 one week ago, and as of today, no reimbursement and no movement on the meter.
The guest fee for entry to the MSY SkyClub I paid (which *was* reimbursed last month, 2 days after the charge) showed up with "Delta Air Lines Atlanta" as the merchant and "Club Membership Fee" as the description.
The bar charge was billed as "DELTA SKY CLUB283107JAMAICA NY" and does not have a transaction description.
I guess I will probably have to call Amex after 3 more weeks and argue this one out.
I spent ~$20 one week ago, and as of today, no reimbursement and no movement on the meter.
The guest fee for entry to the MSY SkyClub I paid (which *was* reimbursed last month, 2 days after the charge) showed up with "Delta Air Lines Atlanta" as the merchant and "Club Membership Fee" as the description.
The bar charge was billed as "DELTA SKY CLUB283107JAMAICA NY" and does not have a transaction description.
I guess I will probably have to call Amex after 3 more weeks and argue this one out.
Feb 21, 2020, 2:59 pm
#445
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
I'm pretty sure an "upgrade" to Comfort+ is reimbursed, as it's not really an "upgrade" despite how DL markets it, so that would be an exception. It would be dumb of Amex to not reimburse C+ on DL while it does reimburse MCE on AA or E+ on UA, for example, just because C+ comes with priority boarding and sometimes a banana.
Feb 23, 2020, 12:00 pm
#447
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,224
This was a fun one....had $500 ($50x10 gift cards from previous Plat/Gold incidental purchases) and have $171 left on my Platinum and $100 left on the Gold.
Used Facebook Messenger as suggested in this thread to purchase two round trip tickets - flights were $466.80 so I used 5 gift cards per flight - leaving a $216.80 balance (should be under the $250 max I'm hoping)
Platinum - Ticket 1
Pending: 02/17
Posted: 02/19 (as Additional Collections)
Meter Moved: 02/22
Credit posted: 02/23
Gold - Ticket 2
Pending: 02/17
Posted: 02/19 (as Additional Collections)
Meter Moved: 02/22
Credit Posted: 02/23
Will report back once there is progress
Used Facebook Messenger as suggested in this thread to purchase two round trip tickets - flights were $466.80 so I used 5 gift cards per flight - leaving a $216.80 balance (should be under the $250 max I'm hoping)
Platinum - Ticket 1
Pending: 02/17
Posted: 02/19 (as Additional Collections)
Meter Moved: 02/22
Credit posted: 02/23
Gold - Ticket 2
Pending: 02/17
Posted: 02/19 (as Additional Collections)
Meter Moved: 02/22
Credit Posted: 02/23
Will report back once there is progress
Feb 24, 2020, 1:42 pm
#448
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: IND
Posts: 301
2/17 - Purchased $256.40 ticket using $50 GC
2/18 - $206.40 charge posted
2/22 - Meter moved and rec'd $206.40 credit
2/18 - $206.40 charge posted
2/22 - Meter moved and rec'd $206.40 credit
Feb 24, 2020, 8:56 pm
#449
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 53
My award ticket cancellation fee posted as "Misc. Charge Order (Mco)/Prepaid Ticket Auth." Don't think I'll get reimbursed, anyone had luck chatting with Amex to get cancellation fees reimbursed?
Feb 25, 2020, 7:46 am
#450
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: HIlton Diamond, Delta , Southwest, Amex Corp Plat, AA
Posts: 184
I switched an upcoming ATL-AMS flight. As seats together weren't available in main cabin I had to pay $84 per person for premium seating in the main cabin (still row 21 however). Really?? I put on the Aspire so that was $254 for the three of us. No reimbursement. I did message chat on the screen page and whoever was on the other side said it should be reimbursable and to let him know if it doesn't pop up. It has been about 4 days since the charge posted. Of course, I am more annoyed I had to pay for seats to begin with.