JPM Ritz: airline reimb question

[PointLager]

Hi Ritz cardholders would JPM reimburse a status upgrade fee? Not for a particular flight but paying to get status for the year if you're short miles ? (Eg $500). Or is this strictly a no? TIA

[CreditScholar]

Officially the answer is no, since it doesn't fall within one of the approved categories.

However if the charge is processed as normal (for example it just says United Airlines on the statement), then you can call in and tell them it was something else (seat upgrade, lounge membership, etc.). YMMV with this. It helps if the charge is an amount that looks like a fee - $25.00, $50.00, $100.00, etc.

Gift cards aren't supposed to be covered, but it didn't stop me from getting them using my leftover credit last year. Just be careful what you tell them and expect that they may ask questions. If they do, you may or may not get it approved.

[PointLager]

Thank you CreditScholar. The charge is $900, which almost makes it look like a ticket

[CreditScholar]

---

@PointLager wrote:
Thank you CreditScholar. The charge is $900, which almost makes it look like a ticket

---

I think you're going to have a very hard time justifying that. They will ask questions about a charge that big, since its out of range of any normal fees that would be eligible.

Another option is to call and ask for the charge to be split on 2 cards. Put say $200 or $300 on the JPM Ritz and tell them it was for an oversized bag, or a seat upgrade to F on a transcon flight, etc. Then put the remaining balance on a different card.

At least this way it would look more normal, but again there's no guarantee it'll work so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I have no personal experience with this, but I've heard it's harder to get anything 'iffy' through on United since United and Ritz both have Chase cards, so Chase gets more info on United purchases than other airline purchases. I'd poke around on flyer talk with that question. 

[PointLager]

thanks guys.

I would have liked to split it between ritz and prestige but alas, citi is still dragging with my app.

[CreditScholar]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I have no personal experience with this, but I've heard it's harder to get anything 'iffy' through on United since United and Ritz both have Chase cards, so Chase gets more info on United purchases than other airline purchases. I'd poke around on flyer talk with that question. 

---

Chase gets level 3 data from United so this is true. However it is possible to sneak certain things past, depending on how you do it.

Last month I got a $35 UA Gift Registry charge approved. I called in the day after and the charge was still listed as pending. The CSR said that she couldn't do anything while it was pending, but would place a note on my file to have it reimbursed when the charge actually posted. A few days later a statement credit appeared on my account.

I'm not 100% sure but I'm guessing that if I called in after it had actually posted, it would have been more difficult to get it approved since full details about the charge would have been available by then.

[PointLager]

I booked a ticket as well so we will see how they post.   $900 for status buy-in and $1k for s ticket.