Originally Posted by DCBob

I'm just wondering if anyone has taken the time to analyze the $ savings from buying VR cards with a rewards CC vs. the cost of gasoline, depreciation, or bus/subway fares per trip and the value of your limited amount of time on earth to do this.

For example, say I use the Amex HH card at CVS and get 6 HH points per dollar and purchase $1,000 in VR cards on one trip (any more and you could be asking for trouble). I net $0.005 x 6 x 1000 = $ 30.00 minus the $3.95 reload fee x 2 = $22.10. Maximum net value to me per month = 5 x $22.10 = $ 110.55.

To me, it's worth it because I live 2 blocks from a CVS with the VR cards, so I have no other out-of-pocket costs and the time I spend is minimal (plus it's additional exercise I need).

I know some of you use VR purchases to meet minimum spending requirements. That's not in my analysis and that's only a temporary need and not something you would use BB for ongoing into the future.

What do the rest of you think?