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Amex Business Platinum 50% Rebate – For A Non-Cardholder

Back in 2016, American Express  announced some benefit changes to both the personal and business versions of the Platinum Card. In my opinion these benefit changes were significantly more rewarding than the recent changes we learned of this past week or so, but I digress…

The feature added to the Business version of the Platinum Card  goes a little something like this – Cardholders will earn a 50% bonus rebate back when redeeming Membership Rewards through the American Express Travel for eligible flights. For clarity, eligible flights are considered flights on the cardholder “selected airline” as well as flights on any airline booked in business class or first class.

Busi Plats! Earn a 50% bonus rebate back when redeeming Membership Rewards!

Here are the details per the Amex Benefits site:

How it Works

  1. Select the qualifying airline you want online, or by calling the number on the back of your Card. You can change your airline selection online or by phone once a year in January.
  2. Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points to book flights with your selected airline through American Express Travel online or by calling Business Platinum Travel Service.
  3. You’ll receive 50% of the Membership Rewards® points used for flights with your selected airline back approximately 6-10 weeks after charges appear on your billing statement.

Good to Know

  1. You can book a First or Business class fare with any airline available through American Express Travel and receive 50% points back. No enrollment required.
  2. The airline you select for the 50% Airline Bonus and the $200 Airline Fee Credit must be the same.
  3. A flight booked as part of a travel package or booked with the American Express U.S. Representative Travel Network is not eligible for the 50% Airline Bonus.

Amex Business Platinum 50% Rebate – For A Non-Cardholder

A few days ago, my dad mentioned a golf trip to BFE Michigan and asked me to look into flights, using points/miles of course. Why a Tampa native is embarking on a golf trip to Michigan, I do not know. I didn’t ask questions, except for dates and times, and then proceeded with my search!

Michigan… a golfers paradise… am I right!?

After a quick GoogleFlights search, I immediately came to the determinate that Delta routing through Detroit was going to be the best option. My dad has a healthy Ultimate Rewards balance, and while I have pointed out how this currency can be used to book Delta flights, I instead focused my attention to my Amex Membership Rewards account.

Anyone ever taken a golf trip to Traverse City, Michigan??

Since I had previously selected Delta Airlines as my eligible airline for the $200 airline fee credit, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to test out the new-ish 50% points rebate benefit!

But since I wasn’t the primary traveler, I wasn’t positive that the rebate would apply…

When in Doubt, Chat Amex!

I headed straight to the source with my inquiry, and much to my delight, I received the following response!

I screenshot the chat as evidence just in case, and proceeded with the flight booking!

Initially and as expected, the full cost amount in points was taken from my Membership Rewards account, but then just a couple days later I noticed the rebate post safely in my account!

50% Points Rebate – Confirmed!

Final Thought

I let my dad know that I was able to book the above flights using my points. He asked me what I owed him in return, but before I replied he instructed me to “add it to his tab…”

While I am not sure if I will be compensated for my efforts and for the 15k in net Membership Rewards redeemed, I am sure about one thing! You CAN in fact earn the 50% rebate on Membership Reward points when booking eligible flights with points for you (as the cardholder), as well as for other non-cardholders!

There has been quite a lot of chatter regarding the Busi Platinum’s 50% rebate – some good (like Greg at Frequent Miler) and some more critical (like over at DoC)! I can only speak to my personal experience and can say that overall it has been very positive

What has been your experience with the 50% rebate so far!?

Happy Travels!

DW

5 Comments

  1. That’s great! So the airfare was $300 and you got it for 15k MR? Also, did you make sure its not basic economy?

    1. Exactly! I wish the 50% back was in the form of instant discount to cut the initial cost, but I had the 30k points so the rebate served the same purpose in my case… And yes good point – when comparing prices I did pull up the Delta site to confirm the itinerary was Main Cabin.

  2. I asked the same question on a phone call this morning as I was using 155k Amex points to book a trip for my in laws. I was told it was no problem.

    1. Nice! Personally this makes the benefit much more valuable and allows me to really put my Membership Rewards to use!

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