Renés Points

During the long, holiday weekend, American Express released an Amex Offer for Delta flights: spend $200, get $40 back. But be wary of almost a dozen disqualifiers.

Click to see terms and conditions.

I received the offer on my Platinum Card from American Express (learn more). My American Express Gold Card (learn more) and Business Platinum Card (learn more) from American Express OPEN did not receive the offer. (Which is fine because my personal Platinum card earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights purchased directly through Delta!)

So before you buy gift cards, treat seatmates to rounds of cocktails and Flight Fuel on a flight to anywhere, or guest your family into a Sky Club, read these little caveats.

1. This is a big one: this Amex Offer for Delta purchases is valid only for flights whose destination is either:

• Boston (BOS)
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
• Seattle (SEA).

The Delta Sky Club in Seattle in terminal A/B.

So if you’re looking for a reason to visit one of those three cities, here’s the perfect opportunity! (And possibly a way to save money on a Delta Medallion status match!)

If your home airport is one of those three, it appears a roundtrip to anywhere someplace than the other two does not qualify. For example, if you fly from Boston, only roundtrips to Seattle or Raleigh-Durham will be eligible for the credit. (Doctor of Credit reports there’s another offer from BOS, RDU or SEA to any airport in the USA.)

What’s up with those three destinations? Delta recently crowned Boston its newest hub. Raleigh-Durham is a Delta “focus city.” And I’m pretty sure Delta just wants to crush Alaska Airlines in Seattle.

However —

2. Itineraries with connections are not eligible. People not living somewhere with nonstops to BOS, SEA, or RDU will have to begin a separate trip to a city that does. For example, I can’t go BUR-ATL-RDU. My only close option is LAX-RDU.
3. Multi-city and one way flights also are not eligible.
4. Only the base fare is eligible toward the Amex Offer. Taxes, other fees, Gogo WiFi, travel insurance, mileage boosters (but you already know not to buy that) don’t apply.
5. The terms specifically mention the Amex Offer is good for flights only. Gift cards, Sky Club guest passes, onboard food and beverage, etc., should not credit.
6. Reservations must be made directly with Delta: via the Fly Delta app, Delta.com, or main reservation phone number (800-221-2121). I bet reservations made through Medallion phone numbers will work, too. Reservations made through online travel agencies (i.e. Priceline, Kayak, Amex Travel) are not eligible for the credit.
7. Nothing in the terms excludes Pay with Miles tickets. Remaining cash balances after applying SkyPennies should qualify for this offer.
8. Likewise, the paid fare of a BOGOF companion ticket obtained through a Delta American Express Platinum personal (learn more) or business card (learn) or Delta Reserve Amex personal (learn more) or business card (learn more) should qualify, as well. Remember: you can use any credit card to pay for the cash portion of a companion pass. You’re not obligated to use the Delta Amex Platinum or Reserve card through which you obtained the BOGOF.
9. $200 minimum fare(s) must be purchased by September 5. Nothing in the terms says flights must be completed by that date. So this may be a good opportunity to save some money on holiday flights to BOS, SEA, or RDU.
10. Delta Private Jets and On Demand Charter services aren’t eligible for this offer. (Oh, how I wish that were a dealbreaker for me.)

We’ll see if there are any good Elite Mileage Runs to any of these three cities. (Because there are so many restrictions to this Amex Offer, consider contacting our friend Adam to customize a trip for you!)

UPDATE

We found a mileage run that appears to work with the Amex Offer restrictions!

Hat tip: Points, Miles, and Martinis. (Which, coincidentally, are three wonderful things!)