Amex Airline Fee Credits – Gift Card Purchases Gone for Good?

American Express reported recently that their Rewards Programs are getting more expensive recently. At the same time, they are getting more strict with their card bonuses and perks. They introduced a tool that could turn you down for a signup bonus. Their Priority Pass membership that comes free with some cards for example, will be devalued next month. They are also going after referral bonuses for people who referred themselves for new cards.

And now there’s the latest blow, airline fee credits. Earlier in the year some gift card purchases weren’t triggering the credits. There have been more reports recently and now it looks like this is a permanent thing, not just a glitch. Doctor of Credit reports that there are a number of data points showing people that made non gift card purchases on the same day as a gift card purchase being credited for the non gift card purchase, but not the gift card.

Guru’s Wrap-up

This will make it harder to justify holding on to premium Amex cards for people who don’t really have any fees that would trigger these credits. The airline fee credits could be double dipped, or even triple dipped, thus helping offset huge annual fees.

Let me know what you think? Did you have any gift card purchases recently that didn’t trigger the credit? Does this make you rethink your lineup of Amex cards?