Rookie Wednesday: Can I combine a voucher with AMEX free cert? What about…

Welcome to a weekly feature on the Eye of the Flyer blog. Each week this series covers in a “rookie” way either a Delta or travel related theme and attempts to break down to a basic level each topic. You can read up on all the previous posts HERE. Now on to this week’s feature.

One of the most common questions I get on the blog is about what you can and cannot combine when paying for “stuff” with Delta. So, I thought I would quickly today run through some of the main ones and update you on the current rules and what can and can’t be done.

Let’s start with the Delta AMEX Platinum or Reserve card BOGOF or buy one get one free certs. I do love these puppies but yes I understand they can be a royal pain to use. There are tight restrictions regarding fare class and there can be times you will find a lower fare searching for the SAME fare class that is approved for use and then a higher fare with the cert next search (again same fare class). Keep in mind were are talking Delta IT here folks. But can you combine say a Delta gift card or a Delta bump voucher with this cert? Nope, the T&C states:

“The certificate cannot be combined with another offer or discount including, but not limited to, web fares, sale fares and eCoupons.”

Now I would agree that say a Delta gift card is NOT a coupon but really the same as cash but as you can see when you go to check out with the cert applied it tells you no. Now, on the plus side you just have to pay for the ticket with an AMEX card (any AMEX card, not just the one from the cert).

Next one, since we have a photo just above to consider, are Delta e-Gift certs. You are limited to 3+ credit card (AA is limited to 9 btw for comparison). I really hate this limitation. Also know this is ONLY for eGifts not other types of credits we will get to soon. Are there workarounds? Maybe. You can check the price round trip vs the same trip as two one-way trips. If the price is the same you could then use 6 credits for the round trip. If you are flying with someone you could book two separate tickets and even then two one-ways and use up to 12 that way. Not ideal but just know it is an option.

Then we have Delta bump vouchers. I just got one of these recently and notice the box highlighted in red. The rules say you could, for example, pay for your ticket with a credit card and then use the voucher to pay for your companion should you want to (this can be very useful). It also says one voucher per passenger and per ticket. This allows reps some wiggle room to apply two vouchers if two folks are flying. I have also, when I have had, say, two tiny little left over vouchers, had some success getting two applied for me alone as reps understand it is dumb that say a $10 and $20 one could not be used on one single ticket (YMMV on this last one). Just know it is maybe, if you ask nice, possible.

Now let’s tackle other redemptions. One really important rule to know when it comes to anything to do with SkyMiles is simply this: You can only use one “type” of SkyMiles item per redemption. So, let’s say you use PWM or Pay With Miles as a Delta AMEX card holder. Notice what the T&C says on Delta.com:

“Not combinable with certificates, eCredits, vouchers, or with any other discounts. Tickets purchased with full or partial Pay with Miles redemptions are not eligible for mileage upgrades, Systemwide Upgrades, Global Upgrades or Regional Upgrades.”

So you cannot, say, use a gift card AND use the PWMs. Again, silly to me as are not Delta gift cards just like cash when buying a Delta ticket? Sorry, the rules are the rules. Also, since you are already using a SkyMiles item to pay you cannot use RU or GU certs (but some readers have reported success so this is a YMMV despite what the rules say).

Now please don’t confuse PWM with Miles and Cash that is another item and is treated as an award ticket. Either way, with this redemption you are once again using a SkyMiles product to pay so forget about combining it with other certs and such.

I think that just about sums up most of the most common redemption options and possible combinations. We could almost sum up this entire post with the caveat that it is ONE item (plus credit card) per anything you do with Delta with some slight exceptions either by rule or outside the rules.

Have any other Delta combo related questions? Fire away in the comments below. – René

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express (learn more)

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (learn more)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (learn more)

Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card (learn more)

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.