Jan 31, 2017, 9:50 pm
Last edit by: shdflyer
11/3/17: The vast majority of popular prepaid debit cards are now blocked via a register hardcode at most locations.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
Buy MO's at Post Office(2017-2018)[Gift Cards no Longer Allowed]
Aug 16, 2017, 2:45 pm
#931
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
What is the appropriate response if this happens again and they say no to GCs? Anything I can do other than just walking out?
Aug 16, 2017, 3:44 pm
#932
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,310
The appropriate response? "I didn't know that, thank you for your time"
The response you want to hear from us? "Well, under code 12.3.90 of the Postal Service Act of 1979 you are required to accept any sort of payment and will do so, it's my right as a tax paying citizen that you accept this gift cards as payment for a money order"
Aug 17, 2017, 3:30 am
#933
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
Anyone having problems with 5+ swipes at the PO? I typically get 2x$1000 in MOs and use a 5th debit/gift card to pay the fees. For the past two weeks, 5th swipe gets declined even though funds are there and PIN is correct. This had been working for 8+ months. Decline doesn't show up on card activity.
Aug 17, 2017, 6:06 am
#934
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 208
Anyone having problems with 5+ swipes at the PO? I typically get 2x$1000 in MOs and use a 5th debit/gift card to pay the fees. For the past two weeks, 5th swipe gets declined even though funds are there and PIN is correct. This had been working for 8+ months. Decline doesn't show up on card activity.
Aug 17, 2017, 10:46 am
#936
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 32
Hello, I am new to MS. I have read through the posts and this is my understanding.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
Aug 17, 2017, 11:24 am
#937
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Welcome to FlyerTalk. Yes, your understanding is correct. You also need to specify $500 on the first debit card. Understand that some locations will ask to see the card, so you might not be able to get the $998.40 MO.
There's a sticky thread titled New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017). It's a good resource to get started.
There's a sticky thread titled New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017). It's a good resource to get started.
Aug 17, 2017, 11:36 am
#938
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 32
Welcome to FlyerTalk. Yes, your understanding is correct. You also need to specify $500 on the first debit card. Understand that some locations will ask to see the card, so you might not be able to get the $998.40 MO.
There's a sticky thread titled New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017). It's a good resource to get started.
There's a sticky thread titled New to Manufactured Spending? Start here(2017). It's a good resource to get started.
Thank you. May be I start with a $500 GC and get a $498.8 MO and see how it goes.
Also, Can you tell me which banks allow mobile phone deposit of money order?
Aug 17, 2017, 11:44 am
#939
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 14
Today, I got declined even for the 3rd swipe(first two were swipes were for 2 $500 mastercard), tried with a Chase debit card. No go. Cashier asked for the card and ran the amount (1.60 remaining at that time) as CREDIT-it went through. She said, 'don't ask me why/how''? I was dumbfounded.
Aug 17, 2017, 7:15 pm
#940
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Programs: SPG preferred, AA, United
Posts: 290
Aug 17, 2017, 7:43 pm
#941
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 271
Hello, I am new to MS. I have read through the posts and this is my understanding.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
1. Go to CVS and buy 2 $500 OVGCs
2. Take them to USPS and ask for a $998.4 money order.
and the $1.6 fee will be used against the MO fee.
Is my understanding correct?
Please let me know. I am trying to MS $1000 this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
Aug 17, 2017, 9:16 pm
#942
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
Today, I got declined even for the 3rd swipe(first two were swipes were for 2 $500 mastercard), tried with a Chase debit card. No go. Cashier asked for the card and ran the amount (1.60 remaining at that time) as CREDIT-it went through. She said, 'don't ask me why/how''? I was dumbfounded.
Looks like they've changed the payment algorithm. I call it that because one time a GC failed and I had to use real debit for final $500 + fee swipe. It showed up on statement as two charges with the fee amount designated as an ATM fee. Nice for the bank to refund MO fees for a while. I might try paying the fee amount first with the debit card and then go with the GCs or see if my sweetheart clerk will try the credit route. Thanks for the DP.
Aug 17, 2017, 9:22 pm
#943
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Aug 17, 2017, 9:37 pm
#944
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
