Jan 2, 2017, 7:37 pm
Last edit by: Marathon Man
NEW TO MS: Do some serious reading for a month of all the posts and wiki to get an understanding of MS before asking common questions.
Note: the 2016 version of this thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1737819-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2016-a-39.html#post27694986, the 2015 version of the thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1642283-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2015-a.html
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. Marathon Man did not write this message, but he has edited it and anyone can. If you are new here, please spend some time reading before posting. Most likely your questions have already been answered multiple times. Consider deals that you share. These threads are searchable by Google. A volatile deal may be worth holding close to the vest.
Hints
1) On FT, topics are heavily consolidated. Sometimes the title of the thread and first few posts may not properly reflect the broad range of discussion inside the thread. Be sure to visit any thread relating to the product or service you want to learn more about because you might be surprised by how in depth the discussion really is. High "View Count" and "Replies" are good indicators of active "master threads" on a specific topic.
2) Use Google to search FT. It works a lot better than the built-in search.
3) A glossary wiki for MS located in the thread Glossary, Manufactured Spending Forum
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. Some might argue that MS is like card counting in a casino. It is not illegal but casinos don’t like it. Orhers have said it’s like having a fake ID in college to use just to get into bars where all the fun is. Just because it worked here yesterday doesn’t mean it will get you in today. MS is like being a wood worker constantly using a table saw. Always watch what you are doing—always! Or you will lose something. That being said, always be nice and courteous in the face of rejection. The biggest secret for success is to lay low so you can try again.
2) DO NOT spend more than you can afford. START WITH SMALL AMOUNTS TO TEST THE WATER! As an example.. don't start with a $5000 purchase of VGCs if you can't afford to float that much! Instead, buy one and try it, and scale up once you are comfortable with a new method. It's easy to lose track, or get robbed, when you are handling so much money. Getting a refund is NOT always possible.
3) DO NOT ask employees, cashiers, customer service representatives, etc... about how to MS, or about things you read on this forum. The information you read here are very specific, unknown, legal uses of products or services. Most employees, cashiers, and even managers do not know about them. At best you'll get bad information. At worst you'll create a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding.
4) It bears repeating that there are no guarantees. you could easily buy $10,000 in gift cards or some other instrument, only to discover that your method for liquidating them vanishes the very next day. MS is not "normal" financial activity ("normal" being defined by the banks), and thus is often perceived as "suspicious" even if it is legal.
5) never underestimate the risk of criminal activity. gift cards can easily be stolen, loaded onto a compromised account, loaded in a debit card skimmer, or even fraudulent (e.g., an already used card put back on the rack).
6) MSing can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from smallish amounts to meet minimum spend requirements to get a credit card signup bonus, to accumulating huge numbers of points for travel/cashback/etc. Remember too that you will often have expenses such as purchase fees, liquidation fees, and gas.
If you have a question that does not seem to fit anywhere, or you have not found an appropriate place for it, post it here.
- A helpful note from seat17D about some of the inherent risks of MS
New MSers can also read all these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending-719/
Note: the 2016 version of this thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1737819-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2016-a-39.html#post27694986, the 2015 version of the thread is here: www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1642283-new-manufactured-spending-start-here-2015-a.html
Welcome to Manufactured Spending. Marathon Man did not write this message, but he has edited it and anyone can. If you are new here, please spend some time reading before posting. Most likely your questions have already been answered multiple times. Consider deals that you share. These threads are searchable by Google. A volatile deal may be worth holding close to the vest.
Hints
1) On FT, topics are heavily consolidated. Sometimes the title of the thread and first few posts may not properly reflect the broad range of discussion inside the thread. Be sure to visit any thread relating to the product or service you want to learn more about because you might be surprised by how in depth the discussion really is. High "View Count" and "Replies" are good indicators of active "master threads" on a specific topic.
2) Use Google to search FT. It works a lot better than the built-in search.
3) A glossary wiki for MS located in the thread Glossary, Manufactured Spending Forum
Important Rules
1) MSing is very YMMV. It varies by store, manager, and right down to the cashier working at the moment. Some might argue that MS is like card counting in a casino. It is not illegal but casinos don’t like it. Orhers have said it’s like having a fake ID in college to use just to get into bars where all the fun is. Just because it worked here yesterday doesn’t mean it will get you in today. MS is like being a wood worker constantly using a table saw. Always watch what you are doing—always! Or you will lose something. That being said, always be nice and courteous in the face of rejection. The biggest secret for success is to lay low so you can try again.
2) DO NOT spend more than you can afford. START WITH SMALL AMOUNTS TO TEST THE WATER! As an example.. don't start with a $5000 purchase of VGCs if you can't afford to float that much! Instead, buy one and try it, and scale up once you are comfortable with a new method. It's easy to lose track, or get robbed, when you are handling so much money. Getting a refund is NOT always possible.
3) DO NOT ask employees, cashiers, customer service representatives, etc... about how to MS, or about things you read on this forum. The information you read here are very specific, unknown, legal uses of products or services. Most employees, cashiers, and even managers do not know about them. At best you'll get bad information. At worst you'll create a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding.
4) It bears repeating that there are no guarantees. you could easily buy $10,000 in gift cards or some other instrument, only to discover that your method for liquidating them vanishes the very next day. MS is not "normal" financial activity ("normal" being defined by the banks), and thus is often perceived as "suspicious" even if it is legal.
5) never underestimate the risk of criminal activity. gift cards can easily be stolen, loaded onto a compromised account, loaded in a debit card skimmer, or even fraudulent (e.g., an already used card put back on the rack).
6) MSing can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from smallish amounts to meet minimum spend requirements to get a credit card signup bonus, to accumulating huge numbers of points for travel/cashback/etc. Remember too that you will often have expenses such as purchase fees, liquidation fees, and gas.
If you have a question that does not seem to fit anywhere, or you have not found an appropriate place for it, post it here.
- A helpful note from seat17D about some of the inherent risks of MS
New MSers can also read all these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending-719/
New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017-2018)
Feb 21, 2017, 12:23 am
#91
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Thanks all for the great info in this thread.
I see that there are One Vanilla Visa cards and Vanilla Visa Gift Cards, and the website shows me that they are owned by the same company.
Any advantage to one over the other? Or just buy the one with the least expensive fee?
I see that there are One Vanilla Visa cards and Vanilla Visa Gift Cards, and the website shows me that they are owned by the same company.
Any advantage to one over the other? Or just buy the one with the least expensive fee?
Is that usable?
I've seen several people mention that Mastercards are more difficult?
Why is that - what aspect is more difficult? Anything specific, or just in general more difficult to complete a transaction for some reason?
Does anyone use My Vanilla cards?
Are they only available as Mastercards?
Feb 21, 2017, 9:06 am
#92
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: All of them to one degree or another
Posts: 447
I came across My Vanilla Mastercard today.
Is that usable?
I've seen several people mention that Mastercards are more difficult?
Why is that - what aspect is more difficult? Anything specific, or just in general more difficult to complete a transaction for some reason?
Does anyone use My Vanilla cards?
Are they only available as Mastercards?
Is that usable?
I've seen several people mention that Mastercards are more difficult?
Why is that - what aspect is more difficult? Anything specific, or just in general more difficult to complete a transaction for some reason?
Does anyone use My Vanilla cards?
Are they only available as Mastercards?
Feb 21, 2017, 3:33 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
The threads I've come across which mentioned the difficulties with Mastercard gift cards did not explain, or I would not have asked the question.
Feb 21, 2017, 4:45 pm
#95
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
My Vanilla Debit cards are reloadable prepaid debit cards. check the website for fees if you're interested to get one. I'm not sure if they're only MCs, check stores/drugstores for a visa version, if any. Just keep in mind....the ONLY acceptable payment for the MVD card is CASH, no CC/DC anywhere they are sold. You can find them at CVS, WAG, Fred's etc.
Feb 24, 2017, 11:06 am
#96
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 45
So seems like Stop and Shop doesn't allow VGC to buy MO anymore.. I have tried multiple times and different stores, all ask to see the card (even tho has my name on it through GCM), they don't allow it... and they all have this new fancy sign about MO purchases.
Sadly no WM near me. Any suggestion on how to liquidate the remaining Metas I have? One option I have so far is pay my tuition at a 2.4% fee.. but unsure if there are any cheaper solutions
edit: tuition sadly not an option, they don't take visa, only MC, AMEX and Discover
Sadly no WM near me. Any suggestion on how to liquidate the remaining Metas I have? One option I have so far is pay my tuition at a 2.4% fee.. but unsure if there are any cheaper solutions
edit: tuition sadly not an option, they don't take visa, only MC, AMEX and Discover
Last edited by LearninghowtoMS; Feb 24, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Feb 24, 2017, 11:25 am
#97
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
So seems like Stop and Shop doesn't allow VGC to buy MO anymore.. I have tried multiple times and different stores, all ask to see the card (even tho has my name on it through GCM), they don't allow it... and they all have this new fancy sign about MO purchases.
Sadly no WM near me. Any suggestion on how to liquidate the remaining Metas I have? One option I have so far is pay my tuition at a 2.4% fee.. but unsure if there are any cheaper solutions
Sadly no WM near me. Any suggestion on how to liquidate the remaining Metas I have? One option I have so far is pay my tuition at a 2.4% fee.. but unsure if there are any cheaper solutions
Feb 25, 2017, 1:04 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
SPG Amex
Does anyone MS Amex SPG with giftcards.com for $5k + a month after the signup bonus?
How significant is the risk compared to a Supermarket?
looking to ramp up MS on my personal and business after I receive the signup bonus
How significant is the risk compared to a Supermarket?
looking to ramp up MS on my personal and business after I receive the signup bonus
Feb 26, 2017, 6:39 am
#99
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 13
Delta Skymiles Spend Requirements
if you mean the 5B GC and you're eyeing the PO to drain it, it'll not go through because it's issued by Metabank. It'll be accepted at WM but if you want to squeeze $25 cashback out of it, go to CVS and buy (1) $495 OneVanilla GC. The 4.95 will pay for the fee so your total will be $499.95. Swipe your 5BGC for the full amount and press debit. When PIN screen comes up, enter the last 4 numbers of the card. Make sure to check the back of the package to see if it's issued by BANCORP if you intend to drain it at PO. If it's issued by Metabank, it won't go through at PO but it'll be accepted at WM. At grocery stores that accept debit card, GCs issued by Metabank or Bancorp usually go through.
PS: since you mentioned amex plat, did you register from a leaked link, the one from around Thanksgiving? if yes, it is best to AVOID BUYING ANY GCs from anywhere because this particular card is under close scrutiny and chances of your MR getting clawed back if they suspect you bought any GC is very high. It is best to meet min spend on the ax plat by ORGANIC spending ~ meaning paying rent, utility bills, buying groceries, etc and other NON-MS related purchases. For more details, check this thread.
PS: since you mentioned amex plat, did you register from a leaked link, the one from around Thanksgiving? if yes, it is best to AVOID BUYING ANY GCs from anywhere because this particular card is under close scrutiny and chances of your MR getting clawed back if they suspect you bought any GC is very high. It is best to meet min spend on the ax plat by ORGANIC spending ~ meaning paying rent, utility bills, buying groceries, etc and other NON-MS related purchases. For more details, check this thread.
Your insite would be appreciated.
Feb 26, 2017, 9:19 am
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I am at the FTU conference and have over heard how some guys are spending 20k a month on credit card manufacturing to meet the yearly 50k spend on delta skymiles cc. What methods are they using and how are they not getting in trouble with Amex?
Your insite would be appreciated.
Your insite would be appreciated.
Feb 26, 2017, 10:37 am
#101
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
I am at the FTU conference and have over heard how some guys are spending 20k a month on credit card manufacturing to meet the yearly 50k spend on delta skymiles cc. What methods are they using and how are they not getting in trouble with Amex?
Your insite would be appreciated.
Your insite would be appreciated.
That said, the quote you posted was specifically referring to the Amex Platinum. People that used a link for a great offer on the Platinum card that wasn't supposed to be publicly available got in trouble for buying gift cards to meet the minimum spend for the signup bonus. I believe the terms on all Amex cards specifically say that spending on prepaid cards does NOT count towards meeting the spend requirement for the signup bonus, although it was not aggressively enforced except on that platinum card.
My guess is that the people you heard from at FTU are buying gift cards. I don't think Amex has cracked down on people buying gift cards on the skymiles cc (at least not yet), especially since they are not doing it to meet minimum spend for the signup bonus.
Last edited by ChrisFlyer66; Feb 27, 2017 at 11:45 am
Mar 1, 2017, 12:05 pm
#102
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 45
I just purchased my first onevanilla visa. The package say select any 4 digit pin at first use. Do I just bring this to USPS, ask for a MO, swipe and enter any random pin to liquidate?
Mar 1, 2017, 7:23 pm
#103
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Now you need the thread about money orders. Search for "Money order flyertalk" in google.
Mar 7, 2017, 6:42 pm
#104
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 10
I signed up for a Citi/AA card and need to spend $3k to get my signup bonus. If I want to buy GCs to meet the spending requirement, do I need to spread out my purchase? One per day/week/every other week?
Mar 9, 2017, 12:44 am
#105
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,108
Not exactly new to MS at all but I wasn't sure where to post this...
Say I funded an FCU to the tune of 6K with CSR ... how risky would it be to simply add said CU as a payment account on the same card and then transfer 6K right back once the transaction moves from pending to posted?
Would it be smarter to withdraw funds via debit and redeposit into a separate checking acct to use to pay off CSR balance?
I suppose I know the answer to that question but I'm looking for data points with Chase specifically.
It would make life much easier to simply login to my CSR acct and add the FCU as a payment source. Should I pay the full 6K in one shot, if so? Should I gradually pay it in smaller amounts over several weeks? Is this even worth concerning over?
I very rarely MS on this particular card (or any of my Chase CCs) so I'm not too worries. Still I don't want to jeopardize relationships so better to ask and be safe than sorry.
Thanks!
EDIT: One more quick question...
(if there's a thread on funding initial deposits, I was unable to find it)
Anyone have experience with opening multiple FCU accounts with various family members (spouse, etc) and using the same card for funding; assuming all family members share AU rights?
Reason for asking is we've got one CC with exceptionally high CL. Would it get flagged by CU?
Say I funded an FCU to the tune of 6K with CSR ... how risky would it be to simply add said CU as a payment account on the same card and then transfer 6K right back once the transaction moves from pending to posted?
Would it be smarter to withdraw funds via debit and redeposit into a separate checking acct to use to pay off CSR balance?
I suppose I know the answer to that question but I'm looking for data points with Chase specifically.
It would make life much easier to simply login to my CSR acct and add the FCU as a payment source. Should I pay the full 6K in one shot, if so? Should I gradually pay it in smaller amounts over several weeks? Is this even worth concerning over?
I very rarely MS on this particular card (or any of my Chase CCs) so I'm not too worries. Still I don't want to jeopardize relationships so better to ask and be safe than sorry.
Thanks!
EDIT: One more quick question...
(if there's a thread on funding initial deposits, I was unable to find it)
Anyone have experience with opening multiple FCU accounts with various family members (spouse, etc) and using the same card for funding; assuming all family members share AU rights?
Reason for asking is we've got one CC with exceptionally high CL. Would it get flagged by CU?
Last edited by OliverB; Mar 9, 2017 at 1:22 am