AmEx Virgin Australia travel voucher given after card was cancelled...use or not?

scoobydoodledoo on 14/12/2020 - 11:24

Hi guys,

I held an AMEX Velocity Platinum card last year and paid $450 card fee, got a free return domestic flight, 2 lounge passes (as part of the card features) etc and some bonus points (as part of the card promotion at the time).

After a year, I rang to cancel the card in March 2020 this year before the annual fee was due. I think for some reason that didn't register in time of the billing cycle and they charged me the card fee, but later I rang them back and they gave me a credit back and the card was then closed off.

Recently got email from Virgin saying: "Your complimentary return flight benefit has been reinstated". Also on my Velocity member's page I also got 2 more lounge passes in my account.

I did a dummy booking using Amex virgin link to book a flight and shows I have free flight credits.

Should I use it or if I use it and they later find out, they make me pay back the cost of the flight?

Anyone had this happened to them before?

It may be linked to the fact I was charged the card fee but then later refunded before the account was then closed. But even still, you'd think their system is smart enough to tell Virgin that the card is cancelled. Also the email is now in Dec and if anything I would have gotten the credit earlier in March when the anniversary would have rolled over. They also use the term "reinstastated" not sure what that means - were flight benefits suspended due to covid and now reinstated? and the email says I have to Sept 2021 to make my booking which is weird date also (but appears to be linked to fact March 2021 would be anniversary of the card again and plus 6 months would then be Sept 2021 (which could be an extension due to COVID).

Does anyone know how the system works, i.e., Amex tells Virgin I have a free flight. Virgin system allocates a free flight to me (subject to booking availability). I make a booking and fly for free. Virgin then invoices Amex for the flight? Amex then finds out I don't hold the card anymore and make me pay it back??

If anyone knows let me know…thanks

Financial

Related Stores

Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia

Comments

  • pingualien on 14/12/2020 - 11:52
    +1

    ill use it

  • SF3 on 14/12/2020 - 12:06
    -1

    OP, it seems like you want to deal with this honestly.

    Why not call those places up and see where you stand, tell them what happen with your card situation, maybe the (unintended) benefits it's yours to keep anyways? worst case is they take it back from you right? if not, you can use it with a clear conscious (this, I think you are after?)

  • HardQuiz on 14/12/2020 - 12:38

    I hope the OP keeps us informed with whatever they decide.

  • blueyez on 30/04/2021 - 14:42

    Wish I knew the answer to this as this has happened to me as well - not overly keen on booking another flight though as I have flight vouchers to get through.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join