Maximizing Your AMEX Platinum Airline Fee Credit with Delta
The Gift Card Split Payment Trick
If you’re an American Express Platinum cardholder, you’re likely aware of the $200 annual airline fee credit designed to cover incidental expenses like baggage fees, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases. Here’s a clever trick to maximize this credit using Delta Airlines gift cards:
The Trick:
- Purchase a Delta Gift Card: Buy a Delta gift card in any amount. There’s no specific limit for the gift card value.
- Book a Delta Flight: When booking a flight or making any eligible purchase on Delta’s website, split the payment between your Delta gift card and your AMEX Platinum card. If don’t plan on flying right away, be sure to book the flight with at least a Main Cabin or above to ensure you have a cancelable ticket and can use that Delta eCredit for another flight.
- Charge to AMEX: Ensure that the amount charged to your AMEX Platinum card is under $250. Users have reported success when the charge is below this threshold, making it more likely to be classified as an incidental expense by AMEX.
- Monitor Your Statement: After the purchase, keep an eye on your AMEX statement to ensure the credit is applied. It usually appears within a few days but can take up to a few weeks.
Benefits:
- Maximizes Credit Usage: This method helps you make full use of your $200 airline fee credit, even if you don’t frequently incur incidental fees.
- Flexible Spending: Allows you to effectively reduce the cost of your flights, giving you more value from your AMEX Platinum card.
Caveats:
- Not Guaranteed: The success of this trick can vary. AMEX may update their algorithms or policies, which can affect reimbursement.
- Verify Policies: Always check the latest user experiences and official AMEX terms before attempting this trick.
By strategically combining your Delta gift card with your AMEX Platinum card for incidental purchases, you can potentially unlock additional value from your airline fee credit.
