Amex Aspire: Switching Airlines For Incidental Fee Credit

The Amex airline incidental fee credit is a yearly benefit offered by some American Express cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Cardholders can receive up to a certain amount in statement credits per calendar year when they incur incidental fees on one selected qualifying airline. Incidental fees include checked baggage fees, seat selection fees, in-flight purchases, and lounge passes. While the benefit resets at the end of each calendar year, unused credits do not roll over and are instead forfeited. Cardholders can change their selected airline once per year in January, but some have reported being able to change it multiple times a year by contacting American Express.

How to change your preferred airline for the Amex airline fee credit

Yes, you can switch your preferred airline for the Amex airline incidental fee credit. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to change your preferred airline for the Amex airline fee credit:

Changing your airline preference in January

Each year in January, you have the option to change the airline you want to select for your Amex airline fee credit. If you are happy with your current selection, you don't need to do anything, as the credit will automatically stay with your initial choice.

To change your airline preference in January, log into your Amex account and head to the card benefits page. There, you will see the option to "change selected airline." Click on that option, and Amex will open the airline fee credit page, where you can select a different airline.

Changing your airline preference mid-year

If you want to change your designated airline outside of the January window, you will need to contact American Express and ask a representative to make the change for you. The easiest way to do this is via the online chat function.

Log into your Amex account and navigate to the account's home page. Sometimes, the chat option will pop up in the bottom right corner. If not, click on "Help" in the upper right corner, and the option to chat will be available there.

Click on the chat button to start a conversation. Let the system know that you would like to change the airline for your annual airline incidental fee credit. You will then be prompted to select an option that says "Request to change airline selection."

Next, you will be asked if you have used the airline credit for the year. Once you confirm that you have not, you will be given the list of airlines you can change your selection to. Finally, you will be connected to a representative who will go over several disclosures and confirm the change.

Note that you generally cannot change your preferred airline during the year if you have used any of the Amex airline fee credit for that year. If you have used part of the credit, you will need to wait until it resets in January of the following year to make a change.

Amex airline fee credit overview:

The Amex airline fee credit is a $200 credit given yearly to cardholders of select American Express cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Cardholders of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card receive up to $250 in airline fee credits per calendar year.

You must select a specific airline when you apply and receive a new account and then at the beginning of each year. These are the airlines you can use the credit with:

• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

You can use your airline incidentals for the following expenses:

• Airport lounge day passes and annual memberships
• Checked baggage fees
• In-flight fees and entertainment
• Seat assignment fees
• Ticket change and cancellation fees

What is the Amex airline fee credit?

The Amex airline fee credit is a benefit offered on select American Express credit cards. Cardholders can receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged to their account. This credit is given yearly to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers up to $250 in airline fee credits.

Cardholders must select a specific airline each year to use the credit with and can change their selection once per year in January. The credit can be used for incidental fees, such as checked baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and entertainment, seat assignment fees, and ticket change and cancellation fees. However, it cannot be used for airfare, upgrades, mileage points purchases, gift cards, or duty-free purchases.

The Amex airline fee credit is a great way to offset the high annual fees of premium cards and can provide significant value for travellers who incur incidental fees throughout the year.

How to change your Amex airline fee credit choice

Yes, you can change the airline you use for your Amex airline fee credit. This is a great perk that can help offset the hefty annual fee of Amex's premium cards.

You can change your designated airline for the incidental credit online or by contacting American Express directly.

Changing Your Airline Preference in January

Each year in January, you have the opportunity to change the airline you want to select for your Amex airline fee credit. If you don't want to change the airline, you can do nothing, and the credit will automatically stay with your initial selection.

To change your airline preference in January, log into your Amex account and head to the card benefits page. There, you will see the option to "change selected airline." By clicking on that option, Amex will open the airline fee credit page, where you can select a different airline.

Changing Your Airline Preference Mid-Year

If you want to change your designated airline outside of the January window, you will need to contact American Express and ask a representative to make the change for you. The easiest way to do this is via the online chat function.

Log into your Amex account and navigate to the account's homepage. Sometimes, the chat option will pop up in the bottom right corner. If not, click on "Help" in the upper right corner, and the option to chat will be available there.

Click on the chat button to start a conversation. Let the system know that you would like to change the airline for your annual airline incidental fee credit. You will then be prompted to select an option that says "Request to change airline selection."

Next, you will be asked if you have used the airline credit for the year. Once you confirm that you have not, you will be given a list of airlines you can change your selection to. Finally, you will be connected to a representative who will go over several disclosures and confirm the change.

Note that you generally cannot change your preferred airline during the year if you have used any of the Amex airline fee credits for that year. If you have used part of the credit, you will need to wait until it resets in January of the following year.

Amex Airline Fee Credit: What You Need to Know

The Amex airline fee credit is a benefit offered on select American Express credit cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Cardholders receive up to $200 in airline fee credits each year, which can be used for "incidental travel expenses" on a specific airline of their choice. These incidental fees may include baggage fees, airport lounge access, seat assignment fees, and more.

Cardholders must select their preferred airline each year in January and can only change their selection once a year. Unused credits will not roll over to the next year.

What purchases count (officially and unofficially)

Officially, the Amex airline incidental fee credit can be used to cover the following charges:

• Checked baggage fees (including overweight and oversize fees)
• Itinerary change fees
• Phone reservation fees
• Seat assignment fees
• In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows and blankets, headphones)
• In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet, which isn't usually charged by the airline)
• Airport lounge day passes and annual memberships

Unofficially, cardholders have had success using the credit to cover the following:

• Airfare of $99 or below on certain airlines
• Delta airfare purchased partially with a gift card
• Admirals Club food or drink purchases
• Filling your United TravelBank account
• Spirit Saver$ Club memberships
• $5.60 TSA passenger security fee on award tickets

How to use your Amex airline credit

The Amex airline fee credit is a benefit offered on select American Express credit cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. This credit can be used to offset the cost of "incidental travel expenses" such as checked bag fees, seat selection, and in-flight food or entertainment. To take advantage of this credit, you must pre-select the airline with which you'll be using your fee credit by January 31st of each year. This can be done by logging into your Amex account online and making your selection.

• Choose your airline strategically: Don't assume that your most frequently used airline is the best choice. Consider selecting an airline that you fly with occasionally but often enough to fully use the available credit.
• Know what's covered by the credit: The Amex airline fee credit covers "incidental fees" such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments. It does not cover major components of airfare, such as airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, gift cards, or duty-free purchases.
• Best ways to use your credit: In addition to checked bag fees and seat selection, you can use your Amex airline credit for in-flight entertainment, pet fees, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
• Change your airline preference: If you want to change your designated airline, you can do so in January by logging into your Amex account and making the change on the card benefits page. You can also contact American Express and ask a representative to make the change for you outside of the designated window.
• Don't let your credit go to waste: The Amex airline fee credit can help offset the high annual fees of premium cards. Make sure to use it strategically to offset expenses you would otherwise have to pay for.

Frequently asked questions