Its the same place I've been going to. I then tried 34th st - Macys location, who didnt seem to know about it, but then I found out after an hour of talking to many people on the phone and in person, that you can only get travelers checks once every 8 days, not 7 (If I bought it last Thursday, I can't get another till tomorrow, Friday). I'm sure I asked this question and someone posted that you could do it exactly a week after. But noone on the phone said I couldn't use my Hilton card to buy it, so now I don't know what to think...
yoshapman...did you go back to the 34th St Macy's location today to see if it works? Did anyone?
I went for my usual trip to the AMEX office in Princeton, NJ. No more! Same memo, same talk, charge cards only.
It was good while it lasted, but that was expected. AMEX just announced layoffs and their corporate letter stated they will be restructuring their awards departments and figuring ways to cut costs. I would imagine this is the best way to cut costs, close down this loop hole.
We can just hope that something new will pop-up eventually. BTW, you can still get HHonors Visa and open up savings accounts with Citibank, they treat that as a purchase not as balance transfer -- if Hilton Points is your game, it is still out there...
If I recall in the very early pages of this thread (or perhaps a thread on fat wallet) someone came up with a great story (exaggerated) how his whole famiily and all his friends went down to the amex office - huge lines of people only wanting to buy TC - they were having a picnic while waiting, etc...
It is quite amazing that this deal lasted as long as it did - it was a HUGE loophole that many (including myself) exploited.
So the suggestion to write a letter to Amex suggesting they re-instate this "benefit" is quite laughable.
I have no idea at all how many people really were doing this scheme - the FT/FW community is still a small percentage of all the folks out there - still, one has to believe that over the past few months the uptake on this scheme must have increased enough that it finally caught the attention of the bean counters.
I know I have seen the term the FAT WALLET EFFECT before - and I suppose that is what we have seen here.
I would like to thank the OP from way back when for posting this idea - it was fun while it lasted. Will miss my regular visits to Macys.
I was kidding about that picnic. But wasnt with the 10s of Warnings to take it easy and NOT to get them and then walk right over to your bank and deposit them. Also to use some at least in the ways Amex thought they were to be used.
I hardly ever asked for more then 2k at any 1 time in any 1 office on any 1 day. Yet there were people with Stacks of these things getting upwards of 10 even a couple of cases 15k at 1 time, then walking across the street into Citi Bank and depositing then and there mins after getting them. Never deposited them except at a Hotel for at least 1 week after getting them.
Yep another FatWallet/SlickDeals outcome, to be Honest once it was all over those sites , Im surprised it lasted this long
I went for my usual trip to the AMEX office in Princeton, NJ. No more! Same memo, same talk, charge cards only.
It was good while it lasted, but that was expected. AMEX just announced layoffs and their corporate letter stated they will be restructuring their awards departments and figuring ways to cut costs. I would imagine this is the best way to cut costs, close down this loop hole.
We can just hope that something new will pop-up eventually. BTW, you can still get HHonors Visa and open up savings accounts with Citibank, they treat that as a purchase not as balance transfer -- if Hilton Points is your game, it is still out there...
Please explain this (or direct us to a thread that explains this)
I had heard about Chase Credit Cards/Savings Accounts (or CD's), but, not Citi.
Like others, I'm sad to see this end. I can't blame Amex as I doubt they ever intended for this to be an avenue to free points.
I found my original agreement from when I applied for my HHonors Amex from April 2008. It reads:
You will receive three Hilton HHonors bonus points for each U.S. dollar of ‘Eligible Spending” (as defined below) on your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express (the “Card”), subject to the terms set forth below and to Hilton HHonors Terms and Conditions. You will receive two additional Hilton HHonors bonus points (for a total of five Hilton HHonors bonus points) for each U.S. dollar of Eligible Spending on the Card at any Hilton HHonors Hotel worldwide, subject to the terms set forth below and to Hilton HHonors Terms and Conditions. Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles TM, and redemption of points are subject to Hilton HHonors Terms and Conditions. You should refer to Hilton HHonors Terms and Conditions for details on redemption of Hilton HHonors points, Hilton’s right to change program terms, and other conditions which may apply Your Card Account must be active (i.e., not cancelled) for any given billing period to earn Hilton HHonors bonus points using the Card. Hilton HHonors bonus points will be credited to your Hilton HHonors account after the billing period in which the Eligible Spending occurs. “Eligible Spending” includes purchases of goods or services, which purchases have not been returned or otherwise rescinded, and are not subject to a credit; it does NOT include fees, Finance Charges, Cash Advances (including the use of checks, line activators, automated teller machines, or other means of accessing your Card Account), Balance Transfers, or adjustments to your Card Account. We reserve the right not to award any Hilton HHonors points for transactions we determine are not Charges made with the good faith intention of consuming the item charged. We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time, subject to applicable law. Terms used have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement Between Hilton HHonors® Platinum Credit Cardmember and American Express Bank, color highlight added
document FDR899902
Last edited by Schutzee; Nov 7, 08 at 2:01 pm.
Reason: figured out how to use OCR scan
Next step, they take away the points earned in 2008 on the basis that only purchases are entitled to points and not cash advances
I seriously doubt that can be done.
Does AMEX own the SPG, HHonors or Delta program?
I don't see how a separate entity that buys points from these programs to 'give' to others would have the authority to reach into the 'private' accounts of those that are housed by a completely separate legal entity.
And if they 'could', how far back could they go? Award points from 6 months ago? a year ago? What if you used the points already? Now do you owe the rewards program a bill for your previously 'free' flight/night/etc ?
I could see how AMEX could seize MR points, as they own that program, I just don't see how they could easily seize points from a separate reward program -- which btw you earn points in from other sources as well.
Just my thoughts, but, I think this fear is unfounded. The real only problem is, we can't earn 'free' points any more.
I saw it from FW.. you can open a Citibank CD w/ Citibank's cc (Visa or MC).
I haven't tried it yet.. will need to give it a try with my TY points.
I would love to find out more information on this. Google isn't being my friend in tracking down any tangible information.
I'm sure there is fine print that is important (even when assuming that it is true that it is a purchase, not a cash advance):
1) Does it have to be a brand new account? How about existing?
2) Only for brand new Citi bank accounts?
3) How much can I fund from the CC? I've got 4 Citi-cards with a combined credit line in excess of $100K, could I dump all of those lines into my 'new' account and earn the points $100K would bring in my various reward programs, and also enjoy the bonus of having around a 30 day interest free loan of $100K? in a deposit account at even a modest 3% interest rate, that's worth about $250.
At any rate, I don't mean to pull this thread off topic, so please post or PM me with a link to the information.
It's only for Citi cards I believe; otherwise you'll get the hefty fee.
Note: I don't post deals from this site to FW .. so before I get flamed of ruining everyone deals, that's not me who posted in other sites.
It's only for Citi cards I believe; otherwise you'll get the hefty fee.
Note: I don't post deals from this site to FW .. so before I get flamed of ruining everyone deals, that's not me who posted in other sites.
No worries, I understood the citi cards part.
At any rate... it's now the moment of truth, I'm going to make a trip to my local AMEX Travel Center... wish me luck!
I stopped doing this deal in June when I was gearing up to buy my house. Today I decided to start it up again and I'm so sad! I could understand taking the points away but we should still be able to buy them fee free with any amex card.
