Ready to unlock the full potential of your American Express airline credit? It's a fantastic perk that can significantly offset travel expenses, but it comes with its own set of rules. Don't worry, we're here to guide you through every step, ensuring you maximize this valuable benefit.
Step 1: Discover Which American Express Card You Have and Its Airline Credit Benefit
Before we dive in, let's identify your weapon of choice in the travel rewards arsenal!
Are you holding a Platinum Card®, a Business Platinum Card®, or perhaps a Corporate Gold Card? The type of Amex card you possess dictates the amount of airline credit you receive and, in some cases, how you can use it.
Take a moment to locate your card. Can you see the name of the card clearly printed on it? Knowing this is crucial for the next steps.
The Platinum Card® from American Express / The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: These typically offer a generous $200 annual airline fee credit. This is the most common card associated with this benefit.
American Express® Corporate Gold Card: This card usually provides a $100 annual airline fee credit.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card also offers a $200 airline credit, but with a slight twist – it's often split into $50 per quarter and is valid on eligible flight purchases made directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com.
American Express® Green Card: While primarily focused on earning points on travel and dining, the Green Card offers other travel credits like Clear Plus and LoungeBuddy (though the LoungeBuddy credit is ending in January 2025). It generally does not have a dedicated "airline incidental fee credit" like the Platinum cards.
Once you've identified your card, you'll know the maximum credit you have to play with each calendar year!
Step 2: Select Your Qualifying Airline (This is Crucial!)
This is arguably the most important step. Unlike some other travel credits, the American Express airline incidental fee credit is not a free-for-all for any airline expense. You must select one qualifying airline for the calendar year to receive statement credits.
How to Make Your Airline Selection:
Log in to Your American Express Online Account: Head to americanexpress.com and securely log in.
Navigate to the Benefits Section: Look for a section often labeled "Benefits" or "Card Benefits." This is where all your card's perks are listed.
Find the Airline Fee Credit Benefit: Scroll down until you see the "$200 Airline Fee Credit" (or whatever amount applies to your card).
Enroll and Select Your Airline: You'll see an option to "Enroll" or "Select Airline." Click on it and choose one qualifying airline from the provided list.
Common Qualifying Airlines (subject to change):
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Spirit Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
Important Considerations for Selection:
Which airline do you fly most frequently? Choose the airline you anticipate incurring incidental fees with.
Do you often fly budget airlines with many fees? Airlines like Spirit or Frontier (if they were on the list) might offer more opportunities to use the credit due to their à la carte pricing for bags, seats, etc.
Once you select, you can generally only change it once per year, usually in January. If you haven't used any of the credit, you might be able to call Amex customer service or use their chat feature to request a change mid-year, but it's not guaranteed.
Confirm Your Selection: After making your choice, American Express will usually send you a confirmation email. Keep this for your records.
Step 3: Understand What Qualifies as an Incidental Fee
This is where many cardholders can get tripped up. The Amex airline credit is specifically for "incidental fees," not for airfare itself. American Express relies on the airline to code the transaction correctly.
What Generally DOES Qualify:
Checked Baggage Fees: This is one of the most common and easiest ways to use the credit. From standard checked bags to overweight/oversize luggage.
Seat Assignment Fees: Whether it's for a standard seat, an exit row, or an "Economy Plus" type of seat with extra legroom.
In-flight Food and Beverage Purchases: Treat yourself to snacks and drinks onboard!
Airport Lounge Day Passes/Annual Memberships: If your chosen airline operates lounges, a day pass or even a portion of an annual membership might be covered.
Change Fees / Same-Day Flight Change Fees: If you need to modify your flight, these fees can often be reimbursed.
Pet Flight Fees: For your furry travel companions.
Phone Reservation Fees: Some airlines charge a fee for booking over the phone.
Priority Boarding / EarlyBird Check-in (Southwest): These types of fees to board earlier.
Smaller Airline Ticket Purchases (under $100): This is a "YMMV" (Your Mileage May Vary) situation. While not officially listed, some cardholders have reported success with very small flight purchases (e.g., under $100) being reimbursed, particularly on certain airlines. However, do not rely on this as an official way to use the credit, as it's not guaranteed and policies can change.
Travel Bank reloads (United): Some users have reported success with this, but it's an unofficial use and not guaranteed.
What DOES NOT Qualify (Explicitly Excluded):
Airline Tickets (Full or Partial): This is the biggest misconception. The credit is not for the actual cost of your flight.
Upgrades (from one class to another, e.g., Economy to Business Class): While seat assignment fees for extra legroom in the same class might qualify, a full class upgrade typically does not.
Mileage Points Purchases or Transfer Fees: Buying or transferring airline miles.
Gift Cards: Purchasing airline gift cards is generally not reimbursed.
Duty-Free Purchases: Items bought at duty-free shops.
Award Tickets: Fees associated with award travel (e.g., taxes on a flight booked with miles) are usually not covered.
Fees Not Charged by Your Selected Airline: If you selected American Airlines but fly on a partner airline (e.g., British Airways) and incur fees with that partner, they will not be reimbursed. The charge must come directly from your chosen airline.
Step 4: Make Your Eligible Purchase
Once you've selected your airline and understand what qualifies, simply use your enrolled American Express card to make an eligible purchase with that airline.
Pay Directly to the Airline: Ensure the charge comes directly from your selected airline.
Separate Transactions: Ideally, incidental fees should be separate transactions from your main airfare purchase. This helps American Express's system recognize them as eligible incidentals. For instance, if you book your flight and then later go back to pay for a checked bag, that's often ideal.
Step 5: Receive Your Statement Credit
After making a qualifying purchase, you should see a statement credit appear on your American Express account.
Timeline: American Express states that it can take 6-8 weeks for the statement credit to post to your account. However, in practice, many users report seeing the credit appear much faster, often within a few days or a week.
Monitoring Your Account: Keep an eye on your online American Express statement for the credit.
What if it Doesn't Post? If 8 weeks have passed and you haven't received the credit for a qualifying purchase, don't hesitate to call the number on the back of your card. American Express customer service can usually manually review and apply the credit if it was for an eligible fee.
Step 6: Track Your Remaining Credit
It's a calendar year benefit, meaning it resets on January 1st. Make sure you utilize the full amount before the end of the year!
Check Your Benefits Page: Your American Express online account's "Benefits" section often shows how much of your airline credit you've used and what remains.
Keep a Personal Record: A simple spreadsheet or note can help you keep track of your eligible purchases and the credits you've received.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about using your American Express airline credit:
How to Check My Remaining Amex Airline Credit?
You can check your remaining Amex airline credit by logging into your American Express online account, navigating to the "Benefits" section, and looking for the "Airline Fee Credit" benefit details.
How to Change My Selected Airline for the Amex Credit?
You can typically change your selected airline once each year in January through your American Express online account. If you haven't used any credit, you might be able to request a mid-year change by contacting Amex customer service via chat or phone.
How to Use the Amex Airline Credit for Airport Lounge Access?
You can use the Amex airline credit for airport lounge day passes or potentially a portion of an annual membership for your selected airline's lounge network. Simply purchase the pass directly from your chosen airline using your Amex card.
How to Know if a Purchase Will Qualify for the Amex Airline Credit?
Generally, incidental fees charged directly by your selected airline, such as checked bag fees, seat selection fees, and in-flight food/beverage purchases, will qualify. Airfare, upgrades (class changes), and gift cards usually do not. American Express relies on the airline to submit the correct merchant code.
How to Get Reimbursed for Baggage Fees with Amex Airline Credit?
Simply pay for your checked baggage fees directly with your selected airline using your enrolled American Express card. The statement credit should post automatically within 6-8 weeks (often sooner).
How to Use Amex Airline Credit for Small Flight Purchases?
While not officially guaranteed, some very small airline ticket purchases (e.g., under $100) on your selected airline have been known to trigger the credit. However, this is an unofficial use and shouldn't be relied upon.
How to Confirm My Airline Selection with American Express?
After selecting your airline online, American Express typically sends a confirmation email. You can also log back into your online account and check the "Benefits" section to see your currently selected airline.
How to Use the Amex Airline Credit for In-Flight Purchases?
When making purchases like food or beverages onboard your selected airline's flight, simply use your enrolled American Express card. These incidental charges generally qualify for the credit.
How to Contact American Express if My Airline Credit Doesn't Post?
If you don't see a statement credit for an eligible purchase after 8 weeks, call the customer service number on the back of your American Express card. They can review the transaction and, if it qualifies, manually apply the credit.
How to Maximize the American Express Airline Credit Each Year?
To maximize the credit, select the airline you fly most frequently or a budget airline with many incidental fees. Plan your purchases for things like checked bags, preferred seating, or in-flight snacks. Consider using the credit early in the calendar year to ensure you don't miss out.
