Miles for Rent/Mortgage/Tuition? [Consolidated]
#32
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 70
Dont know if you want to earn out of your main programs, but US and AS via Bank of America lets you earn miles with pin OR signed transactions, so purchase money orders from the USPS using pin and pay with money orders. USPS charges about $1.90 per $1k transaction. I have also been using pin or signature transactions at safeway on gift cards/prepaid credit cards, and also earn 1mile/2$ with safeways grocery miles, however that program ends 28Feb.
#33
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 58
Dont know if you want to earn out of your main programs, but US and AS via Bank of America lets you earn miles with pin OR signed transactions, so purchase money orders from the USPS using pin and pay with money orders. USPS charges about $1.90 per $1k transaction. I have also been using pin or signature transactions at safeway on gift cards/prepaid credit cards, and also earn 1mile/2$ with safeways grocery miles, however that program ends 28Feb.
The T&C's of the BOA debit card say:
"Quasi-cash transactions, which are transactions convertible to cash and
include the purchase of money orders, travelers checks, foreign currency,
cashier’s checks, gaming chips, and other similar instruments and things
of value" do not earn miles.
http://www.bankofamerica.com/deposit...eckcards_usair
#34
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redwood City, CA (i.e. SFO/SJC/OAK)
Programs: AAdvantage 1MM+ GOLD, SkyMiles
Posts: 143
ChargeSmart charged a flat transaction fee of $24.95 and then a "large transaction security fee" (sort of their insurance against fraud) of $38.74 for my mortgage payment of $2,565.18. I know that the fee seems huge but, at roughly 2.4 cents per mile, I'll take it given how far the (AAdvantage) miles can take me, literally (international travel in particular using OneWorld awards)!
Also, from trial-and-error, I found that there'd be no large transaction fee for a payment amount under $1,100. ChargeSmartPhilip, is that accurate?
#35
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,901
To me, the fee could be worth it if it helps meet some CC spending threshold.
#36
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, CO, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 597
Yes, to second the quote from the horse's mouth, I recently made my mortgage payment via ChargeSmart using my Citi AAdvantage MC and it was tagged as a purchase by Citi. The whole process was very smooth and the payment posted within a couple of business days.
ChargeSmart charged a flat transaction fee of $24.95 and then a "large transaction security fee" (sort of their insurance against fraud) of $38.74 for my mortgage payment of $2,565.18. I know that the fee seems huge but, at roughly 2.4 cents per mile, I'll take it given how far the (AAdvantage) miles can take me, literally (international travel in particular using OneWorld awards)!
Also, from trial-and-error, I found that there'd be no large transaction fee for a payment amount under $1,100. ChargeSmartPhilip, is that accurate?
ChargeSmart charged a flat transaction fee of $24.95 and then a "large transaction security fee" (sort of their insurance against fraud) of $38.74 for my mortgage payment of $2,565.18. I know that the fee seems huge but, at roughly 2.4 cents per mile, I'll take it given how far the (AAdvantage) miles can take me, literally (international travel in particular using OneWorld awards)!
Also, from trial-and-error, I found that there'd be no large transaction fee for a payment amount under $1,100. ChargeSmartPhilip, is that accurate?
#37
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Or are we talking essentially another fee that they've just lent a BS name to?
#38
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redwood City, CA (i.e. SFO/SJC/OAK)
Programs: AAdvantage 1MM+ GOLD, SkyMiles
Posts: 143
Is this a "hold" or a refundable fee? I don't understand the concept of a security "fee", as it would cover a charge not going through, as you say, but when it does, wouldn't the fee be released/refunded??
Or are we talking essentially another fee that they've just lent a BS name to?
Or are we talking essentially another fee that they've just lent a BS name to?
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,717
I just checked my mortgage and it works out to .003 per mile - which would definitely be worth it! ^
At what point in the process can you determine if there is a "large transaction fee"? If indeed it covers all payment >$1100 that would kill the deal
My car payment clocks in at .014 per mile, not really worth it though I guess cheaper than buying miles if you really need them.
At what point in the process can you determine if there is a "large transaction fee"? If indeed it covers all payment >$1100 that would kill the deal
My car payment clocks in at .014 per mile, not really worth it though I guess cheaper than buying miles if you really need them.
#40
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redwood City, CA (i.e. SFO/SJC/OAK)
Programs: AAdvantage 1MM+ GOLD, SkyMiles
Posts: 143
It does seem to cover all payments > $1,100. Starts at $5.21 for a payment of $1,101 and keeps going up based on what formula, I don't know...
#42
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 9
This DOES NOT work.
The T&C's of the BOA debit card say:
"Quasi-cash transactions, which are transactions convertible to cash and
include the purchase of money orders, travelers checks, foreign currency,
cashier’s checks, gaming chips, and other similar instruments and things
of value" do not earn miles.
The T&C's of the BOA debit card say:
"Quasi-cash transactions, which are transactions convertible to cash and
include the purchase of money orders, travelers checks, foreign currency,
cashier’s checks, gaming chips, and other similar instruments and things
of value" do not earn miles.
#43
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 9
Regarding the distinction of "fee" vs. "deposit" (that would presumably be returned) the large payment security fee is a fee. Just as insurance premiums aren't returned, nor is this.
We are aware that fees are the primary reason that someone elects to not make a payment with us, and are making every effort to reduce our fees in time. If it made sense from a business standpoint, we'd remove them altogether, but unfortunately that's not the case...
#44
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Programs: Delta PM, USAir, United, AA, Continental
Posts: 28
Thanks!
#45
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
Regarding the distinction of "fee" vs. "deposit" (that would presumably be returned) the large payment security fee is a fee. Just as insurance premiums aren't returned, nor is this.
We are aware that fees are the primary reason that someone elects to not make a payment with us, and are making every effort to reduce our fees in time...but unfortunately that's not the case...
You see, even if the 2nd "security" fee was a dollar, that would be $1 too much, since you're already imposing your business service fee to begin with. I'd rather you raise that fee and make it all inclusive - but to charge that 2nd ridiculous fee and institute an even more ludicirous method of calculation based on the "amount of payments processed to that company" in any given month borders on hilarity - if for no other reason then you can't see how many potential customers you're actually alienating with it.
I was actually one of the first on FT to push the concept of Card-It back in the day, but Phillip, this 2nd fee for ChargeSmart is just absolutely ill-conceived, now that you've "fully" explained it.