Idea to get FF miles from credit cards at casinos
May 31, 2009, 9:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 767
Idea to get FF miles from credit cards at casinos
I live an hour from Atlantic City. Can I use my credit card that earns miles to buy chips from a casino, and then cash all the chips in (without playing them)? That seems like a great way to earn miles while screwing the casino over.
Only problem is I might be tempted to bet a few at the roulette wheel
Only problem is I might be tempted to bet a few at the roulette wheel
May 31, 2009, 10:16 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
I have never heard of a casino that accepts anything but cash or approved check for chips. Given that the casino would have to pay 2-5% to the credit card company and that a number of table games have a house advantage smaller than that, the casino would be losing money.
May 31, 2009, 10:47 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Toledo, OH USA
Programs: UA1K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Million-Miler
Posts: 558
You might have a better chance at an internet gambling site. I think they are illegal in this country and I know nothing about their trustworthiness.
May 31, 2009, 11:00 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I think you'll find that most credit cards treat casino transactions such as you mention as cash advances (well, that is what they are, after all) and charge fees and interest accordingly (and usually award zero points).
May 31, 2009, 11:13 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New York City, United States.
Posts: 2,633
won't work
I have heard ( no first hand experience) of success with this on Cruise Ships from several people.
As far as in person at A.C. B&M cainos, not only will cage charge you an exhorbinant fee (via a third party vendor that pays casino a commission), but your C.C. will treat as a cash advance and offer no grace period on interest charges.
When in Laos, I was able to "charge" U.S. dollars at a local travel agency to a mileage based card for a 6% commission.
i.e. , I signed for $318 and recieved $300 USD, not local currency,
I did this because plastic and even local currency payments are "penalized" by vendors and there is a strong partiality for US Dollars ( heaven forbid there is a crease or wrinkle in the bill).
I did not bring enough cash.
so I did this but I cringed at the 6% fee.
back to your original question, I think that any manner of "free" miles is not achievable in any meaningful critical mass.
If you want to sweat out deliver issues and run to the bank do a search of "US MINT" this may get you up to 20,000 "free" miles. I don't feel its worth the hassle.
Another manner, -- that I personally consider unethical is the "costco" loophole.
As far as in person at A.C. B&M cainos, not only will cage charge you an exhorbinant fee (via a third party vendor that pays casino a commission), but your C.C. will treat as a cash advance and offer no grace period on interest charges.
When in Laos, I was able to "charge" U.S. dollars at a local travel agency to a mileage based card for a 6% commission.
i.e. , I signed for $318 and recieved $300 USD, not local currency,
I did this because plastic and even local currency payments are "penalized" by vendors and there is a strong partiality for US Dollars ( heaven forbid there is a crease or wrinkle in the bill).
I did not bring enough cash.
so I did this but I cringed at the 6% fee.
back to your original question, I think that any manner of "free" miles is not achievable in any meaningful critical mass.
If you want to sweat out deliver issues and run to the bank do a search of "US MINT" this may get you up to 20,000 "free" miles. I don't feel its worth the hassle.
Another manner, -- that I personally consider unethical is the "costco" loophole.
May 31, 2009, 11:36 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,538
Only way I have seen to get cash from a credit card at a casino have been the cash advance machines. I bring my gambling cash with me so I have no experience with the machines but it states it charges a fee and I assume it processes as a cash advance, usually not eligible for rewards. The closest you are going to get to free miles is the presidential dollar coins.
May 31, 2009, 1:39 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
What about using a mileage-earning debit card or a credit card that has an account which was overpaid?
May 31, 2009, 2:01 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
A debit card that earns miles might work, subject, of course, to the daily limits.
May 31, 2009, 3:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: Avis Chairmans, National Executive, Spirit Elite, Virgin Silver, United Premier
Posts: 207
May 31, 2009, 4:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat, Hyatt Diamond, PC Plat, HH Diamond, National Exec Elite
Posts: 129
This DOES work on a cruise ship. You don't actually use your credit card in the casino, but your "sea pass" or whatever that cruise line calls your room key/on board charge card. At the end of the cruise all charges are posted to your account and your credit card on file is charged one time for your total for the entire cruise...drinks, trips, spa, games, casino. Your credit card company just sees a charge from the cruise company and no cash advance fees are charged.
May 31, 2009, 10:15 pm
#13
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,036
Jun 1, 2009, 8:14 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
This DOES work on a cruise ship. You don't actually use your credit card in the casino, but your "sea pass" or whatever that cruise line calls your room key/on board charge card. At the end of the cruise all charges are posted to your account and your credit card on file is charged one time for your total for the entire cruise...drinks, trips, spa, games, casino. Your credit card company just sees a charge from the cruise company and no cash advance fees are charged.
Mike