AA Gift Cards - Save 10% @ Costco [only remaining supply left - phasing out]
#121
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: AA 2MM,Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 265
I was close to the Mountain View store today and got some certs. The lady at the cage stated these were the hottest selling item. She said someone bought 20 just before me and they had over 200 in stock. She also said it only took two days to get more the last time she re-ordered. She said they were a trial that few stores carried the items now. She thinks all stores will carry them eventually because they are a big hit. Her feeling was American didn't want to over due it to start out. Just her opinion.
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Costco in Hawthorne has a whole display rack of AA placards (picture to be uploaded later ), so I'd guess they have a ton in stock.
Great location. Easy access off the 405 (the southbound offramp literally dumps you in the parking lot), and for those on an LAX layover, it's mere minutes from the airport via the Green Line (take it westbound from Aviation Station to Redondo Beach, which is the end of the line, and the store is in easy walking distance—less than 10 minutes). There's an In-N-Out and an El Tarasco in neighboring Lawndale a three-minute drive away, too.
Great location. Easy access off the 405 (the southbound offramp literally dumps you in the parking lot), and for those on an LAX layover, it's mere minutes from the airport via the Green Line (take it westbound from Aviation Station to Redondo Beach, which is the end of the line, and the store is in easy walking distance—less than 10 minutes). There's an In-N-Out and an El Tarasco in neighboring Lawndale a three-minute drive away, too.
Last edited by jackal; Jun 1, 2011 at 2:22 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
The number of pieces of cardboard on display on the sales floor has no relation to the number of gift cards actually in stock. I'd recommend calling before making a trip, either to Hawthorne or Westlake Village.
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
And there were at least 100 cardboard pieces out. It wasn't just a portion of a rack of other cards; it was its own half-endcap with 25 cardboard pieces on each level, stacked five-plus levels high.
(There are more below it—all the way to ground level.)
Last edited by jackal; Jun 1, 2011 at 5:17 am
#125
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
*No* relation? I can understand 10 pieces of cardboard standing in for 100 cards, but surely they wouldn't put out 100 cardboard pieces if they only have 10.
And there were at least 100 cardboard pieces out. It wasn't just a portion of a rack of other cards; it was its own half-endcap with 25 cardboard pieces on each level, stacked five-plus levels high.
I'll edit this post in a moment with a picture.
And there were at least 100 cardboard pieces out. It wasn't just a portion of a rack of other cards; it was its own half-endcap with 25 cardboard pieces on each level, stacked five-plus levels high.
I'll edit this post in a moment with a picture.
#126
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Times Square
Programs: SPG Gold, AAdvantage
Posts: 1,397
I was close to the Mountain View store today and got some certs. The lady at the cage stated these were the hottest selling item. She said someone bought 20 just before me and they had over 200 in stock. She also said it only took two days to get more the last time she re-ordered. She said they were a trial that few stores carried the items now. She thinks all stores will carry them eventually because they are a big hit. Her feeling was American didn't want to over due it to start out. Just her opinion.
#127
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SJC, SFO, BUR
Programs: AA, WN, SPG, UA
Posts: 200
When I bought, there was clearly more cardboard cards than gift cards. My estimate it was at least 3x more (assuming they told me the truth about the number of gift cards in stock).
I'd expect it to be off by 10%, 20% or even 50%. But >300%?
#128
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Probably not no relation. But not a strong relation in my experience.
When I bought, there was clearly more cardboard cards than gift cards. My estimate it was at least 3x more (assuming they told me the truth about the number of gift cards in stock).
I'd expect it to be off by 10%, 20% or even 50%. But >300%?
When I bought, there was clearly more cardboard cards than gift cards. My estimate it was at least 3x more (assuming they told me the truth about the number of gift cards in stock).
I'd expect it to be off by 10%, 20% or even 50%. But >300%?
#129
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North of DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, TSA Disparager Gold, going for Platnium
Posts: 1,535
You can not do delivery or signature confirmation on first class mail unless its a package, if you do it on a letter it will get kicked back to you with the postage cancelled. You can do anything with priority (flat rate or not)mail letter or package.
#130
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: FAT
Programs: AA LT GLD, AS 75K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 181
*No* relation? I can understand 10 pieces of cardboard standing in for 100 cards, but surely they wouldn't put out 100 cardboard pieces if they only have 10.
And there were at least 100 cardboard pieces out. It wasn't just a portion of a rack of other cards; it was its own half-endcap with 25 cardboard pieces on each level, stacked five-plus levels high.
http://c650942.r42.cf0.rackcdn.com/aagiftcardssmall.jpg
(There are more below it—all the way to ground level.)
And there were at least 100 cardboard pieces out. It wasn't just a portion of a rack of other cards; it was its own half-endcap with 25 cardboard pieces on each level, stacked five-plus levels high.
http://c650942.r42.cf0.rackcdn.com/aagiftcardssmall.jpg
(There are more below it—all the way to ground level.)
So while there may be a slight correlation between the display and the number of gift cards, with the instructions that are given, it would be difficult to monitor the actual amount remaining using the display as a guide. I know that when I purchased, I only took one piece of cardboard and then told the cashier how many I actually wanted.
Last edited by JY1024; Jun 2, 2011 at 7:13 am Reason: removed [img] tags to help mobile users
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Ok, there might be some very tiny, slight correleation - after all, the only stores with displays of cardboard are the very few stores in the country that are currently selling the gift cards, so if you see the cardboard display, it's possible that there are gift cards in stock.
But it would be inaccurate to conclude (and misleading to tell others) that a huge pile of cardboard cut-outs on display equates to a similar number of gift cards in inventory. There simply is no real-time correlation between the two.
I stand by my post: if you want to avoid disappointment, call ahead unless that particular Costco is on your way home (or you don't mind driving far out of your way and coming home empty-handed).
#132
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 886
Pentagon City had over 50 left as of this afternoon. I bought a bunch
#133
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
There is no correlation with cardboard to inventory on hand. That being said, I was with jackal yesterday, and it was a very nice looking display and tempting. But like the fluidity of booking with AS as an MVPG.
#134
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K, American EXP & 3 Million Miler, Hyatt Globalist & Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,360
Chicago Area
I need at least 25 of these cards and was wondering if you have seen them in Chicago?
#135
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1P (1MM), AA PLT (2MM)
Posts: 709
I have checked 2 of the Chicago area stores and they seem not to be available in this area at all.