Jan 6, 2016, 6:02 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
Simon mall gift cards(2016)
Nov 29, 2016, 10:24 am
#1141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
These were regular cards from Guest Services. I wouldn't fault Simon since this kind of theft seems (perhaps too) common with VGCs. There are systems constantly running to attempt to find valid card numbers. Once a card from one of the major issuers (i.e. Meta) is activated, the clock starts ticking.
Update: I did find someone at AMZN who speaks English. Apparently the fraud department is backed up with these issues right now, so they're filling out a form with this info. Actually spoke to someone in my own state. Will try next with Meta and see if I can get someone who can better communicate than what I experienced previously.
Update: I did find someone at AMZN who speaks English. Apparently the fraud department is backed up with these issues right now, so they're filling out a form with this info. Actually spoke to someone in my own state. Will try next with Meta and see if I can get someone who can better communicate than what I experienced previously.
Last edited by Happy; Nov 30, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Nov 29, 2016, 10:58 am
#1142
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Following up on my earlier post: if you need to dispute a charge, you actually have to download a form from GiftCardMall. It took multiple calls to get this information, as the reps are only trained to tell you to "go to the home page" and direct you from there but have no idea what Simon is or that the site you are visiting is different from the only one they know.
Nov 30, 2016, 1:13 pm
#1143
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 66
Had one out of four FB VGCs denied today at CVS, and no sign of the transaction on the issuer's side. Random POS issue I guess.
I had another FB VGC that had a non-functional magstrip. I was worried that it was skimmed and demagnetized so I had their phone line rescind it and send me a replacement. The replacement arrived, but neither the card design or the the included agreement mention anything about it being an FB card... wondering if it got converted to a normal VGC after the reissue.
EDIT: reissued card still got 5% back.
I had another FB VGC that had a non-functional magstrip. I was worried that it was skimmed and demagnetized so I had their phone line rescind it and send me a replacement. The replacement arrived, but neither the card design or the the included agreement mention anything about it being an FB card... wondering if it got converted to a normal VGC after the reissue.
EDIT: reissued card still got 5% back.
Last edited by TheJerm; Dec 6, 2016 at 7:22 pm
Dec 1, 2016, 11:22 am
#1145
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 102
I bought 5 VGC's last night. Went to CVS to use one and it wasn't swiping. It seemed like a magstripe problem. Went to another one, same thing. Went to a 7-11 and bought something for $2 on debit and it worked fine. I will try it out and the others again later.
Dec 1, 2016, 11:24 am
#1146
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Try swiping the other way (up). Sometimes the mag readers are wonky...
Dec 1, 2016, 11:53 am
#1147
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Not worth it to me to raise a stink, will likely just use for normal purchases at other participating merchants, or WM MO.
Dec 1, 2016, 11:57 am
#1148
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Had the same thing happen to me, with two Simon 5% Visa (Metabank) cards (out of several dozen I have purchased). Mag stripes won't work on CVS readers -- I have tried multiple stores, and all the tricks I know (wrapping card in plastic bag, etc.) Same cards work fine at other stores, gas stations, etc.
Not worth it to me to raise a stink, will likely just use for normal purchases at other participating merchants, or WM MO.
Not worth it to me to raise a stink, will likely just use for normal purchases at other participating merchants, or WM MO.
Dec 1, 2016, 12:44 pm
#1149
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BOS, PVD, HYA
Programs: MR, TYP, AA, B6, DL, WN, HH, MB, 2V
Posts: 658
Dec 1, 2016, 4:10 pm
#1150
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 60
I had 2 cards that wouldn't swipe at cvs today. Terminal said card read error.
Dec 2, 2016, 11:37 am
#1152
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 102
I also had a slight problem at Lowe's. I tried a card for a partial amount and the lady just waited and was figuring what was wrong when she asked me what card I was using and then said you can't buy a gift card with a gift card. I said it's a debit card. She made a big stink about it and wanted to call the manager and so I just said nevermind and left. So I'm not sure if there was something triggered in the system. That's not too big of a loss as they don't sell $500 cards.
Last edited by Sandybestdog; Dec 2, 2016 at 11:53 am
Dec 5, 2016, 6:19 pm
#1153
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Fee-free 5% cards!
The 5% Back cards are being sold at my location without a fee this week. Not sure if it's nationwide.
Dec 5, 2016, 7:35 pm
#1155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Not really a Simon topic, but I don't care to create a thread.
I got a rebate card today from Hilton as part of the night on us certificate from a timeshare promo. In the envelope was a flyer promoting 5% back at certain retailers since these rebate cards are processed by Blackhawk as well. Lowes is on the list, so I may take it and buy an Amazon GC since the Lowes by my house sells variable load Amazon GCs.
I got a rebate card today from Hilton as part of the night on us certificate from a timeshare promo. In the envelope was a flyer promoting 5% back at certain retailers since these rebate cards are processed by Blackhawk as well. Lowes is on the list, so I may take it and buy an Amazon GC since the Lowes by my house sells variable load Amazon GCs.