Originally Posted by
craz
after getting the DENIED for the TCs on 11/7 I was offered the option of getting the Gift Cards, ....
thats when I was informed of the $2.50 per $100 fee , with $100 being the max per card
So you are talking about getting GCs from Amex Travel Centers? It sounds to me they offered to reduce the $3.95 fee to $2.50 for your "inconvenience" on the spot.
The activation fees for the generic Amex GCs purchases in say CVS or Walgreens are based on the value of the GCs. I think it's $3.95 for $25 GCs; $4.95 for $50 GCs & $5.95 for $100 GCs. If it's customized Amex GCs (such as Birthdays, Teens...etc), it'll cost an extra $1 per card.
There's a promo/$15 gas rebate with 3 Amex GCs at CVS next week. Read
the SD thread if interested. Walgreens and Rite Aid seem to have similar promo as well. You can make some (very) small money from this promo. If using miles/points earning credit cards, you earn some miles/points as well. Someone suggested combining it with the
Discover card $200/$20 promo. It's possible to sweeten the deal, if you work at it.
The online offers seem to have a fixed activation fee for each GC though.