In earlier September we wrote a post titled ‘American Express Platinum $200 Airline Incidental Reimbursement – No Longer Being Triggered By Gift Cards?‘, these airline incidental credits also weren’t being reimbursed on the Premier Rewards Gold card either.
It looks like these credits are now posting again, according to the following sources:
- Reddit.com/r/churning
- Flyertalk UA thread
- Flyertalk AA thread
- Flyertalk AS thread
- Flyertalk DL thread
For some reason it seems that purchases that were made before or on September 27th haven’t been reimbursed, but purchases after that date have been reimbursed. I’m not sure why this is or if it will continue to be the case but it looks like gift card purchases (and United MPX purchases) are now triggering these airline incidental refunds again automatically.
If you haven’t received your refund automatically, don’t call American Express unless it was for an item that falls into their official definition of what should be refunded. If you need some reminding, this is what the fine print says:
Incidental air travel fees must be separate charges from airline ticket charges. Fees not charged by the Card Member’s airline of choice (e.g. wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners) do not qualify for statement credits. Incidental air travel fees charged prior to selection of a qualifying airline are not eligible for statement credits. Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees
Also keep in mind you need to have selected one airline before you make your purchase and you’ll only get refunded for that airline. It also says that you may have to wait up to four weeks, so all hope is not lost if you haven’t received a refund yet.
If you’re playing outside the official rules (and we definitely are by trying to get gift cards reimbursed) there is absolutely no point in arguing over it, especially when tying up their phones is not only a nuisance it’s also a real expense. Do not call.
See update on this: All Amex Airline Reimbursements From September Now coming Through
