Log is definitely 2,000$ or more.
A couple of points (From S+S):
1. I usually like to do 1,500$ x2 with two different cards. This still requires the log, and they just mark down 6 cards @ $500/each.
2. YMMV on them actually writing you down in the log. I've done 3x $1,500 at a store in MA and no log.
3. 1x @ $505.95 will work at any register, although some stores will direct you to the 'solution center' regardless. One of my stores allows 2x @$500 at a regular register.
4. These are often out of stock, especially during this promotion. The advertising is right there, and for some reason Americans care way too much about gas prices being $3.70 and not $3.50 (but will still spend $7 on some fancy IPA
). I'd imagine that beyond MS, there are some who will go in and buy these for amounts between 100-500 as real gifts. The 100, 50, 25 are always fully in stock.