Delayed Amex Airline Incidental Credits
Has Amex done it again? Did they just kibosh Delta Amex airline incidental credits? Similar to what they did with the United TravelBank option? There are grumblings, but we don’t know if this is just delayed Amex airline incidental credits, or something more. There is enough smoke that I wanted to alert people to it in case you were about to test the waters with Delta. I shared my experience from a few weeks back using this credit in a similar way, but that could be a thing of the past.
What Is Happening
A friend reached out to me yesterday that it had been two weeks since their Delta purchase and no credit had been issued. Usually the credit posts after a few days, but can take a week or two. He purchased a flight for just under $200 and paired it with a Delta gift card. Something that has worked every time like clockwork in the past.
That is when I went looking for other delayed Amex airline incidental credits being reported on Flyertalk. It looks like he is not alone in waiting on a Delta incidental credit to post.
From the Flyertalk thread data points, it appears this started in late March. I say that because there are positive data points from early March on the thread. And, the first report of waiting on the credit to post happened in the first few days of April. The poster notated it had been a week since the charge. That is when others chimed in with similar stories. One even said a newer charge in a Delta Sky Club already earned the credit (charged after the Delta flight booking).
Is This Just A Normal Amex Data Delay?
It is certainly possible that the delayed Delta Amex airline incidental credits are from a normal Amex data delay. Delayed payouts on credits usually happens a few times a year with American Express. Although, that usually happens at the beginning or end of the year.
With the United TravelBank option having the door recently shut, it is easy to assume this is the same thing. Seeing the report of another purchase crediting in the meantime gives that some more credence. Although, sometimes data delays gum up the works for a few days and stuff posting after that is fine.
I checked all of the other airlines on their individual Flyertalk threads as well. I wanted to see if maybe credits across all airlines were delayed. There were no reports of delays on the other threads like I saw on Delta’s page. That doesn’t mean that it is only Delta, especially since it is probably one of the most used airlines, but it doesn’t confirm a wider spread issue either.
Delayed Amex Airline Incidental Credits: Final Thoughts
It is probably still a little early to call this one done forever, but it isn’t looking good either. These delayed Amex airline incidental credits feel eerily similar to the United TravelBank situation a few months ago.
Could Amex be going through the airline programs one by one and rooting out the loopholes? Possibly. United TravelBank was likely the most used option with how easy it was. I would guess United was followed closely by Delta in terms of usage. That would likely mean Southwest or JetBlue would be next if this is the case.
It is still unclear if other options within Delta still works, as it does with United. We will have to wait on more data points for that. It is a major bummer if this is in fact dead. The credit is so annoying to use that it just frustrates cardholders. A crazy way to do business when talking about a $900 card. I wouldn’t mind a refresh for it to work like the Aspire quarterly airline credit (no annoying requirements). Maybe we can hope for a shakeup with the Saks credit ending.
Let me know if you are awaiting a Delta incidental credit in the comments below, or over in the MTM Facebook Group.
I made Southwest purchases and Delta purchases a few days ago, each using the corresponding methods that typically credit from the airline incidental credit. Southwest credits have posted… Delta have not.
Keep us updated on Delta, hopefully it comes through in the next week or so.
I bought 2 tickets from AMS to BOS with points – I paid $200 in fees – no refund either – was under the impression that fees were counted as incidentals
Award taxes and fees have worked in the past. What was the date on the charge?
The more something is talked about, the more likely it will be shut down.