AMEX Delta Gold Business - Miles Clawback After Refund?
Feb 2, 2020, 9:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 263
AMEX Delta Gold Business - Miles Clawback After Refund?
I earned 70,000 Delta miles after hitting a $4,000 spend on my Delta Gold Business card at the start of this year (points were deposited on 1/1). One of the purchases that I made to hit the $4,000 mark was a China Eastern airline ticket. The flight was scheduled for next week but was just cancelled due to the plague virus outbreak in China. I am expecting to get a refund through to my credit card as a result.
With the refund, I'll be about $1,100 short of the $4,000 threshold. Would Delta / AMEX claw back the miles in this case? My three month bonus period ended at the end of January. Would it make a difference if I charged an additional $1,100 even though the three month bonus period has ended?
With the refund, I'll be about $1,100 short of the $4,000 threshold. Would Delta / AMEX claw back the miles in this case? My three month bonus period ended at the end of January. Would it make a difference if I charged an additional $1,100 even though the three month bonus period has ended?
Feb 2, 2020, 8:49 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
So I would say that you may reduce your chance of having a problem if you "make up" the spending now even though it's long after the original signup bonus spend period.
I think case of mass flight cancellations (many initiated by the airline, not by the purchaser) due to this disease outbreak is so unusual that there we have no idea how anyone will react. But it's always more prudent IMHO to proactively "show your good faith".
Feb 3, 2020, 2:10 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
If you haven't used the card since hitting your minimum spend, I'd say you're going to look like the sort of customer the Amex RAT are going after. I'd probably spend the $1100 and maybe in multiple transactions instead of a tax payment or any thing else that can be interpreted as MS.
Feb 3, 2020, 7:31 am
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
If this transaction happens to be one that crossed the $4,000 threshold it was flagged, and the refund will almost certainly be noticed. Otherwise it may, or may not, trigger an audit.