Originally Posted by calwatch

I'm happy you are reading the forums, however there is a thread on kiosks at Walmart. Find a kiosk there and try loading (a few at a time please until you get the hang of it). Staples/Walmart (and there is also the online ordering method which is detailed in the wiki on that thread) is the easiest way to earn points, up to $50k/spending a year.

For Amex again read the thread - most people are using cashback portals, of which there are way too many but some are more popular than others. You would then use that Amex gift card at CVS to buy vanillas, thus increasing your percentage back with some additional effort.