Travelomania

Last week I tried to use some of my 12 valid Delta $50 gift cards - leftover from my larger purchase - to book a flight, as I have done many times this year.
To my surprise my DL account showed a ticket number attached to the first GC that I could not trace. After trying more of the gift cards, more ticket numbers popped up for flights that I could not place anywhere and that was the only info I could retrieve from my account.
I called the Delta D-desk to inquire and was transferred promptly to someone in the RPU. She seemed to make a report, did not want to give her name or number and told me I would be contacted.
During this process we discovered that 6 GC's were used for future flights. She asked me if I knew the names of the passengers on the tickets (obviously I did not), but would not elaborate on itineraries or any other relevant information.
4 Other GC's were apparently already used and she declined to reveal any other info about this.
Even some 3 of the GC's that I used for my own ticket - and later cancelled - were apparently used.
2 of the 12 GC's remained open.
So, effectively in total $500 of my GC's were used.

The only remark, after pressing her for more details was that this is an unusual high number - normally they seem to deal with perhaps one or two e-cert/e-gifts or other items missing in a person's SM wallet.
And no, I'm sure my SM-account was not compromised and neither was my email account where the GC's were confirmed as purchase.
Since then I have not heard back.

Is there perhaps anyone out there that was/is in a similar situation ?
And what would be the next step to proceed ?

flyerCO

You're going to need to give them sometime to investigate. They'll also possibly need to contact and work with the police based on the amount that you report missing. GC's unfortunately are cash like, and there's generally nothing that you can do other then hope the merchant takes mercy and gives you credit. Calling and pestering them therefore isn't likely to get anything done quickly or in your favor. I'd give them at least 2 weeks from contacting them before calling back. By that point they should have at least an idea of what possibly happened.

Pharaoh

This issue was presented on NBC's Nightly News yesterday. Find and check out that article. Solutions mentioned, too.

Wait ... it was easy to find:

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/...n-772200515553

safigan

It doesn't matter if your Gmail account is secure. Email is sent unencrypted and so can be intercepted at any point in the transmission. DL shouldn't be sending cash-like codes "in the clear" so the right thing for them to do--once they verify that they were stolen--is to issue new GCs.

Travelomania

Thanks for the link - it's very frustrating and the sole reason I hardly purchase any gift cards.

However, one would expect that DL e-gift-card numbers used for my own DL flight that was cancelled, would be available again in my own SM-wallet ?
Unfortunately, these 3 GC's were also used apparently.
Go figure and who knows how that is even possible ?

knicknut

Sorry to bump an old thread, but a very similar experience recently happened to me.

An e-Gift Card code I tried to use was "invalid." I called on 8/9 and the CSR was able to see that a person I never heard of used the gift card to fly between MIA and ATL last September. Her manager submitted a fraud claim for me, and the manager indicated that it shouldn't be an issue to get it resolved.

I never heard anything back after 3 weeks, so I just called in again. I was told that "Corporate Security" deemed the matter closed on 8/21 without notifying me, because "gift cards have no value if lost or stolen."

Considering my email has not shown any other signs of being compromised since this card was used a year ago, it's very unlikely that the code was stolen from my data. And Delta has the full information of the person who used it, but seems either unwilling to investigate or unwilling to help me benefit from any action they take. They didn't even feel I was worthy of being notified. Today's CSR was sympathetic but effectively offered no alternatives.

Has anyone else had a better resolution to a similar situation? If so, what action did you take?

Thank you.

MSPeconomist

Zorak

Physical DL gift cards can be found in grocery stores, office supply, Best Buy, hardware stores, ...

flyerCO

Point out the card wasnt stolen. DL applying the funds and thus the funds being stolen doesnt equal the card was stolen.

If the continue with this line, file a police report for theft. DL will have to assist when police contact for info.

knicknut

Thanks for the response. Yes, they continue to quote me "The ticket was purchased via http://delta.com and the purchaser would have needed the gift card number and redemption code to be redeemed" which I guess is supposed to carry the dual implication that their security is infallible because "they had the code!" and therefore I must have been reckless with it.

I feared your second line -- at that point I feel like I'm just wasting my own time with local police for the sole purpose of wasting Delta's time. Given this "theft" apparently occurred a year ago, I'm not sure how keen they will be to cooperate.

cre95

bloc0102

Up until recently, $50 Delta gift cards triggered the annual $200 Amex Platinum incidental airline credits.

MSPeconomist

Gig103

Some credit cards give 4x/5x/6x on grocery store purchases, where you can buy delta gift cards.

Your overall comment about the value of gift cards as gifts is definitely for a different omni thread.

cre95