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Your Amex $200 Airline Credit Expires Soon - How to Maximize It
July 1, 2025
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Among the many perks of the American Express Platinum Card®, the $200 Airline Fee Credit remains one of the most useful for frequent flyers. Used correctly, it can offset a range of travel expenses — from checked bags to seat upgrades — making premium travel a little more affordable. You have until the end of January to select your preferred airline for your up to $200 airline fee credit or risk leaving money on the table. Many Amex cardholders forget to choose their airline choice each calendar year, missing out on valuable statement credits that can offset baggage fees, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases.
Important: Enrollment is required to access this benefit. Simply having the card isn't enough. You must actively select your airline and enroll before any purchases will qualify for reimbursement.
What Is the $200 Airline Fee Credit?
The airline fee credit is a popular benefit offered by premium American Express cards, including:
- American Express Platinum Card® (Up to $200 annually)
- The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab (Up to $200 annually)
- Platinum Card® from American Express for Goldman Sachs (Up to $200 annually)
- American Express Platinum Card® for Ameriprise Financial (Up to $200 annually)
- American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley (Up to $200 annually)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Up to $200 annually)
This benefit provides up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental airline fees charged by your selected airline. Unlike travel credits that work across multiple airlines, American Express requires you to select your preferred airline at the beginning of each calendar year and lock you into your choice for the full year once selected. Essentially, it’s Amex’s way of turning those minor travel expenses into tangible savings — a feature that helps justify the Platinum Card’s premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Eligible Airlines for 2026
American Express provides a list of eligible U.S. airlines, including:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
What Qualifies as an Airline Fee?
Your $200 credit typically covers incidental fees, not airfare. Qualifying purchases generally include:
- Checked baggage fees
- Seat selection fees (within the same cabin class)
- In-flight food and beverage purchases
- In-flight entertainment fees
- Change fees and cancellation fees
- Pet travel fees
- Phone booking fees
- Overweight/oversized baggage fees
- Airport lounge day passes (airline-dependent)
Important: Charges must appear as separate transactions from your ticket purchase. If you pay for seat selection while booking your ticket as part of the total fare, it may not trigger the credit.
What Doesn't Qualify?
Understanding the exclusions is just as important as knowing what's covered:
- Airline tickets or award tickets - This credit is only for fees, not base airfare
- Cabin upgrades - Upgrading from economy to business/first class doesn't qualify (though better seats within the same cabin may work)
- Gift cards - Not officially covered, though some purchases have triggered credits
- Partner airline fees - If you book through United but fly on an Air Canada codeshare, the fees charged by Air Canada won't qualify
- Charges before airline selection - Purchases made before your airline choice takes effect won't be reimbursed
- Wi-Fi purchases - These are charged by service providers, not airlines
- Mileage purchases or transfer fees
How to Select Your Airline
- Log in to your American Express account online or via the mobile app
- Navigate to the “Benefits” tab
- Find your Airline Fee Credit benefit
- Select your preferred airline from the qualifying list
- Confirm your selection
Important timing note: Your choice typically takes effect within 24-48 hours. Wait until your selection is active before making purchases you want reimbursed.
Maximizing Your Up to $200 Credit
Strategic Airline Selection Tips
Don't automatically choose your most-flown airline. This is counterintuitive but important: If you have elite status or a co-branded credit card with your primary airline, you likely already receive free checked bags and complimentary seat selection. In this case, choose a secondary airline where you'll actually incur fees.
For example, if you have United elite status but fly American a few times per year, selecting American could provide more value since you'd pay for bags and seats on those flights.
Other considerations:
- Review your upcoming travel. Look at your 2026 travel plans and select the airline you'll use most frequently for trips where you don't have status benefits.
- Think about controllable fees. If you rarely check bags, choose an airline where you can maximize value through seat selections, in-flight purchases, or lounge passes.
- Coordinate with household cards. If you and a partner each have eligible cards, consider selecting different airlines to maximize flexibility.
- Consider budget carriers. Airlines like Southwest or Spirit charge for amenities that major carriers include, making it easier to use the full $200.
Popular Strategies for Using the Full Credit
While these methods have worked for many cardholders, they're considered "off-label" uses that could change at any time and should not be relied upon:
- United Travel Bank (Most Reliable Method) Many cardholders report success depositing money into United's Travel Bank, which can be used for future ticket purchases. You can purchase in denominations of $50, $100, $250, or $500. Most reports suggest buying in two $100 transactions to test if the first credit posts before committing the full amount. Credits typically post within 1-2 weeks.
- Southwest Ticket Strategy. Some cardholders purchase low-cost Southwest tickets (under $100) for future dates, wait for the credit to post, then cancel for Southwest travel credit. This only works because Amex can't distinguish between ticket purchases and fee charges at certain price points.
- Lounge Day Passes Purchasing single-use lounge passes for future use can work, though results vary by airline. Alaska ($65), American ($79), and United ($59) sell day passes, but note that United passes have been reported as sometimes coding as airfare rather than fees.
Important disclaimer: These workarounds are not guaranteed and can change based on how airlines code transactions. Use at your own discretion.
When Will Your Credit Post?
According to American Express terms, statement credits will post within 6-8 weeks after qualifying charges. However, most cardholders report seeing credits much faster, often within 5-10 days. If your credit hasn't posted after 8 weeks for a qualifying purchase, contact American Express customer service via phone or chat to request a manual review.
Authorized Users Can Benefit Too
Don't forget that authorized users on your account can also trigger this credit when they make qualifying purchases with their cards. This expands your opportunities to use the full $200 throughout the year.
Missed the January Deadline?
While the official deadline is January 31, American Express has shown flexibility for cardholders who contact customer service via phone or chat later in the year, but only if you haven't used any of the credit yet. There's no guarantee this will work, especially as you get further into the year, but it's worth trying if you realize you made the wrong choice or forgot to select an airline.
Beyond the $200: Additional Platinum Travel Benefits
The $200 Airline Fee Credit is just one piece of a broader travel suite that defines the Platinum Card’s value. Here are a few complementary perks worth knowing.
1. Lounge Access
- Centurion® Lounges — premium Amex-exclusive spaces with chef-prepared food and craft cocktails.
- Delta Sky Club® access when flying Delta.
- Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required) for access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
- Plaza Premium and Escape Lounges for additional coverage.
Together, these options create one of the most comprehensive lounge access programs available on any credit card.
2. Hotel and Resort Privileges
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required).
- Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings include daily breakfast, late checkout, room upgrades, and a unique $100 property credit.
- The Hotel Collection offers experience credit for stays of two nights or more, plus potential upgrades.
These perks make each stay more rewarding, often offsetting the cost of the annual fee when used strategically.
3. Car Rentals and Insurance
- Elite status with select rental programs like Hertz President’s Circle® and Avis Preferred Plus®.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance (secondary coverage).
- No foreign transaction fees, saving you 2–3% when traveling internationally.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
With only weeks remaining in January, now is the time to log into your account and make your airline selection. This simple 5-minute task unlocks $200 in value you're already paying for through your annual fee. Remember: You must actively enroll in this benefit before making any purchases. Your $200 airline fee credit renews each calendar year. Make sure you're positioned to use every dollar of it.
FAQs: Quick Answers
Can I change my airline after choosing it?
Unfortunately, no. Once you’ve selected your preferred airline for the year, that choice is locked in until the next calendar cycle. You’ll have the chance to update your selection each January when your annual credit resets. It’s best to choose the airline you fly most often so you can make full use of your $200 credit throughout the year.
Does airfare count toward the $200?
No, the credit doesn’t apply to ticket purchases or upgrades to a higher class of service. It’s designed specifically for incidental fees - like checked baggage, seat assignments, in-flight snacks, or lounge day passes - that add convenience to your trip without being part of the base airfare.
What if I don’t use the full $200?
Any portion of the credit you don’t use by December 31 will simply expire. The benefit doesn’t roll over to the next year, so it’s wise to plan ahead and use it gradually throughout your travel calendar rather than waiting until the last minute.
Can I use the credit for someone else’s fees?
Yes, you can. As long as the eligible fees are charged by your selected airline and paid with your Platinum Card®, the reimbursement will still apply — even if the expense is for a family member or friend’s ticket. It’s a great way to cover baggage or seat fees when you’re traveling together.
How long do reimbursements take?
Most qualifying credits appear automatically within two to four weeks after the eligible charge posts to your account. Occasionally, it may take a bit longer depending on the airline’s billing system, so keep an eye on your statement or the benefits section in your Amex account.
Do I need to submit receipts or file a claim?
No paperwork needed. The process is fully automatic — once your eligible purchase posts to your Platinum Card account, Amex will detect it and apply the reimbursement within the standard timeline. It’s one of the easiest benefits to use, requiring no extra effort beyond paying with your card.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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