Questions and Answers

I have AA selected as my airline of choice for the annual credit on both my Amex Platinum and Amex Gold cards. Historically I have used this to purchase airline gift cards. Since purchasing AA gift cards no longer qualifies for the credit, I’m trying to figure out how I can use this benefit. I am AA Platinum which gives me free checked baggage and free Main Cabin Extra seats at booking. Upgrade purchases don’t qualify, including 500 mile upgrades. Onboard internet service doesn’t qualify either, being billed by a third party provider. My AA flying is nearly all domestic shorthaul in economy, I do not drink alcohol onboard or elsewhere, and purchasing $300 worth of the snacks that are offered on these flights would be a waste. Obviously for 2020 I can change my designated airline, but for the rest of 2019, is there any worthwhile way for me to use my Amex credits?

I have a tough time with this category too. If you don’t have to pay for checked bags it seems that the taxes & fees on award flights are about all that will work. Frequent Miler keeps a post updated though if you have more recent data points for a particular airline feel free to let him know.

[URL]https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/[/URL]

I have the same situation with United & AA as I’m a credit card holder so get a free bag. I’m planning a trip to Hawaii next year and think I’ll select Hawaiian as my airline so my checked bag can go free on my inter-island flight.

[QUOTE=”MidSouth Skier, post: 67426, member: 184″]I have a tough time with this category too. If you don’t have to pay for checked bags it seems that the taxes & fees on award flights are about all that will work. Frequent Miler keeps a post updated though if you have more recent data points for a particular airline feel free to let him know.

[URL]https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/[/URL]

I have the same situation with United & AA as I’m a credit card holder so get a free bag. I’m planning a trip to Hawaii next year and think I’ll select Hawaiian as my airline so my checked bag can go free on my inter-island flight.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info and the link also. I was unaware that award taxes and fees would bill differently than paid tickets. Will start using that right away.

The Amex airline credit is pretty useless now. I value it close to $0