Popular uses for the $200 airline incidental fee credit on the American Express Platinum Card® are not working anymore, according to data points online.
First, purchasing United gift cards from the United Travel Bank stopped triggering the $200 credit earlier this year.
Now, Delta workarounds are off the table as well…
Cardholders were often creative when combining the Amex Platinum credit with a Delta eCredit, gift card, pay with miles, or award tickets to trigger the $200 credit.
However, data points online are showing that credits are no longer posting for these uses.
Amex’s terms and conditions do say:
Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.
According to a Thrifty Traveler article, these workarounds were successful for over a decade - but it now seems like Amex or Delta is limiting them.
Amex also mentions waiting 6-8 weeks for credits to post if you already made a purchase.
In the past though, these credits were posted within a few days - so that's not a good sign, but as always YMMV.
Baggage fees are one incidental fee that is covered by the $200 credit, so that’s an idea if you have not used the credit yet in 2026.
Airport lounge passes may also qualify, depending on the airline.