The Gift Card Trick
The American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers a **$250 annual airline fee credit** that can be used for airline gift cards with certain airlines:
- **Select your preferred airline** in your Amex account (once per calendar year)
- **Purchase gift cards directly from the airline** (not third-party sites)
- **Keep purchase amounts small** ($50-100 increments work best)
- **Credit posts within 1-2 billing cycles**
Airlines That Work
Based on community reports, these airlines typically reimburse gift card purchases:
✈️ **Alaska Airlines**
- Purchase gift cards at AlaskaAir.com
- $50 or $100 denominations work best
- Credits post reliably within 1-2 statements
✈️ **Southwest Airlines**
- Buy at Southwest.com
- Multiple small purchases recommended
- Very reliable for gift card reimbursement
✈️ **American Airlines**
- Purchase at AA.com
- $100 or less per transaction
- Results may vary (check recent reports)
✈️ **Delta Airlines**
- Buy at Delta.com
- Mixed results - not as reliable as Alaska/Southwest
- Some users report success with small amounts
Step-by-Step Process
1. Select Your Airline
- Log into your Amex account
- Go to Benefits → Airline Fee Credit
- Choose your preferred airline (once per calendar year)
- Wait 24 hours for selection to process
2. Purchase Gift Cards
- Go directly to the airline website (not third-party sites)
- Buy gift cards in **small denominations** ($50-100)
- Use your Aspire card for payment
- Save confirmation email
3. Wait for Credit
- Credits typically post within **1-2 billing cycles**
- Check your statement for "Airline Fee Credit"
- If no credit after 8 weeks, contact Amex
4. Use Your Gift Cards
- Gift cards work for flights, baggage, seat upgrades
- No expiration on most airline gift cards
- Can combine multiple gift cards per booking
Pro Tips
💡 **Use Alaska Airlines** - Most reliable for gift card reimbursement
💡 **Buy in small amounts** - $50-100 per transaction works best
💡 **Space out purchases** - Don't buy all $250 at once
💡 **Keep records** - Save confirmation emails and receipts
💡 **Check recent reports** - Airline policies change; verify on credit card forums
💡 **Select airline early** - Choose in January to maximize time
Important Warnings
⚠️ **Not officially supported** - Amex terms say "incidental fees only"
⚠️ **Results may vary** - What works today may not work tomorrow
⚠️ **At your own risk** - Some users report clawbacks (rare)
⚠️ **Don't abuse** - Avoid large purchases or obvious gift card patterns
⚠️ **No guarantee** - This is not a promised benefit feature
What Else Qualifies
Besides gift cards, your credit also covers:
- ✅ Checked bag fees
- ✅ Seat selection fees
- ✅ In-flight purchases
- ✅ Change/cancellation fees
- ✅ Lounge day passes
Alternatives to Gift Cards
If you prefer to play it safe:
- Use for legitimate airline fees
- Purchase lounge access passes
- Pay for checked bags throughout the year
- Upgrade seats on flights