Feb 18, 2015, 5:57 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
AAdvantage eShoppping by Cartera Commerce
Using, earning miles, problems, etc. (Consolidated thread)
American Airlines is not the contact for Cartera / AAdvantage eShopping .
AAdvantage eShopping FAQs and an e-contact form can be found via the "Contact Us" link at the bottom left corner of the home page.
If you have trouble getting purchases to track, there's also a browser extension to help.
A related article, highlighting an interview of Cartera Commerce CEO Tom Bercher, is "Secrets of Cartera Commerce Revealed: Inside the Company that Brings You Miles for Online Shopping" by Gary Leff on March 3, 2014. Link.
As described in this thread, AAdvantage Shopping now offers a downloadable button installable on your desktop (not mobile) device to facilitate e-shopping. Link.
Older posts may be read at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...or-consol.html
Notes about Giftcards.com:
Some anti-virus software silently blocks tracking, and you may want to consider disabling it for your purchase.
Using, earning miles, problems, etc. (Consolidated thread)
American Airlines is not the contact for Cartera / AAdvantage eShopping .
AAdvantage eShopping FAQs and an e-contact form can be found via the "Contact Us" link at the bottom left corner of the home page.
If you have trouble getting purchases to track, there's also a browser extension to help.
Cartera website: http://www.cartera.com
Cartera Commerce, Inc.
One Cranberry Hill
Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
Tel. (781) 541-6800 Fax: (781) 541-6801
For general inquiries, please contact [email protected] or 888.456.6255
Cartera Commerce, Inc.
One Cranberry Hill
Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
Tel. (781) 541-6800 Fax: (781) 541-6801
For general inquiries, please contact [email protected] or 888.456.6255
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST (Please do not alter contents following)
This thread is the sole thread to address issues with AAdvantage eShopping (operated by Cartera Commerce). Other queries or complaints will invariably end up merged into this thread. All posts must comply with FlyerTalk Guidelines and Rules / TOS, or may be summarily deleted or edited by moderators.
This thread is the sole thread to address issues with AAdvantage eShopping (operated by Cartera Commerce). Other queries or complaints will invariably end up merged into this thread. All posts must comply with FlyerTalk Guidelines and Rules / TOS, or may be summarily deleted or edited by moderators.
A related article, highlighting an interview of Cartera Commerce CEO Tom Bercher, is "Secrets of Cartera Commerce Revealed: Inside the Company that Brings You Miles for Online Shopping" by Gary Leff on March 3, 2014. Link.
As described in this thread, AAdvantage Shopping now offers a downloadable button installable on your desktop (not mobile) device to facilitate e-shopping. Link.
Older posts may be read at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...or-consol.html
Notes about Giftcards.com:
- A separate thread exists for discussing Giftcards.com and likely has more data points than this generic thread.
- Purchases from giftcards.com earn miles on the first $2,000 spent in the named calendar month, meaning for example between March 1st and March 31st. [Note: as of Aug 2023, the $2k limit is per order, not per purchase]
- Giftcards.com has had various limits over the years, and it was always by calendar month.
- Some data points show the $2,000 monthly limit is not always enforced. [Note: as of Aug 2023, the $2k limit is per order, not per purchase]
- In 2022, larger orders track more slowly, and you may need to wait a full month to see miles. Strong advice from the thread is to make multiple small purchases (say under $300) rather than large ones to avoid the dreaded "manual review"
Some anti-virus software silently blocks tracking, and you may want to consider disabling it for your purchase.
AAdvantage eShopping / Cartera Questions / Discussion / Vendors / Issues (archive)
Jul 1, 2022, 7:46 am
#1126
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,427
I've been looking for more places where I can use the virtual GC on things that don't take credit cards, in which case the $6.72 is truly incremental. I have not found many except for my car insurance. Would welcome any ideas from others who have solutions here.
Jul 1, 2022, 8:49 am
#1127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
.No offers but clawbacks, happy 4th of july weekend...
Last edited by nk15; Jul 1, 2022 at 10:25 am
Jul 1, 2022, 1:41 pm
#1128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
So it is a fresh month for giftcards.com. Unfortunately (as noted upthread) the regular "Visa" option with no fee and 1% rewards is gone, and there are no promos for Virtual Visa. What is the consensus - just suck it up and pay the $5.95 fee? Or hold out hope for a promo? I would do the latter, but worry about the 3x miles offer reverting to 1x at some point.
I buy the cards as I need them (I don't "stock up") so whether there's a better offer later doesn't really matter.
Jul 1, 2022, 1:57 pm
#1129
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,427
My opinion continues to be that 750 miles for $6 is a great deal. So I have no problem paying the fee. The LPs are a nice bonus as well (to put it mildly)
I buy the cards as I need them (I don't "stock up") so whether there's a better offer later doesn't really matter.
I buy the cards as I need them (I don't "stock up") so whether there's a better offer later doesn't really matter.
So far I've been able to find spendthrough use for the full $2k/month eventually, so I am trying to make sure I max out each month, which at times means stocking up a bit. Would be nice to have a crystal ball to know when promos will be, but I guess I can't complain.
Jul 1, 2022, 2:16 pm
#1130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Totally agree that 750 miles for $6 is a great deal. But 750 miles for negative $6 was even better
So far I've been able to find spendthrough use for the full $2k/month eventually, so I am trying to make sure I max out each month, which at times means stocking up a bit. Would be nice to have a crystal ball to know when promos will be, but I guess I can't complain.
So far I've been able to find spendthrough use for the full $2k/month eventually, so I am trying to make sure I max out each month, which at times means stocking up a bit. Would be nice to have a crystal ball to know when promos will be, but I guess I can't complain.
Also if I need to buy more than 1 in a day I buy each one on a different CC. I've noticed that if I use my Citi AA card they will decline a 2nd purchase in a day and I don't want to push my luck with Chase or Amex. I do have a 1% CB "throwaway" card from a local bank that I'm willing to push my luck with if I need to buy several in a day (that's why I got the card)
Jul 2, 2022, 6:25 am
#1131
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: US
Programs: AA, AI-FR, ClubVistara, KrisFlyer, EK, InterMiles
Posts: 49
I just buy the cards as I need them, one at a time. Most months I've gone over $2k (and a lot over in a few months where I had some large one-time bills) and I've gotten miles for everything. I still have some outstanding tickets for large multi-card orders I made back in March, but since I've moved to 1 at a time everything has posted automatically, usually within 2 days (occasionally 3-5 days), with no regard for a $2k limit.
Also if I need to buy more than 1 in a day I buy each one on a different CC. I've noticed that if I use my Citi AA card they will decline a 2nd purchase in a day and I don't want to push my luck with Chase or Amex. I do have a 1% CB "throwaway" card from a local bank that I'm willing to push my luck with if I need to buy several in a day (that's why I got the card)
Also if I need to buy more than 1 in a day I buy each one on a different CC. I've noticed that if I use my Citi AA card they will decline a 2nd purchase in a day and I don't want to push my luck with Chase or Amex. I do have a 1% CB "throwaway" card from a local bank that I'm willing to push my luck with if I need to buy several in a day (that's why I got the card)
Jul 2, 2022, 6:38 am
#1132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
But, again, if you buy a lot you may want to spread it between cards. Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.
Jul 2, 2022, 6:44 am
#1133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
Chase blocks you around the 4th gift card on the same card on the same day (although you still get the points, but now possible being clawed back). But I agree it is better to spread them between not just different cards, but card issuers, too. 2 chase, 2 boa, 2 amex, and 2 citi.
Jul 2, 2022, 6:45 pm
#1134
formerly DreAAmliner
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 419
Sorry if this has been covered...
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Jul 2, 2022, 9:35 pm
#1135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Sorry if this has been covered...
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Usually this works fine but I've had issues with it before. It's a good idea to test with a small purchase if it's important to you (though it's possible that you get different results with big and small purchases).
Cartera pays you if and when they get paid. They can't tell you for sure in the terms because they don't know if the merchant will pay or not. If their agreement allows the merchant not to pay, but they pay anyway, then Cartera will pay you. So the terms are accurate... you may not get miles. Or you may.
Jul 2, 2022, 9:41 pm
#1136
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 380
Sorry if this has been covered...
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Jul 2, 2022, 9:45 pm
#1137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
It also worked for me at Tire Rack.
It will probably with at least 90% of stores. But occasionally there may be an issue. It didn't work for me at GameStop once.
It's also possible that smaller purchases will post automatically but larger ones will get audited, and that could be a reason that the audit fails.
One thing that I've learned is that there is not a lot of consistency here.
It will probably with at least 90% of stores. But occasionally there may be an issue. It didn't work for me at GameStop once.
It's also possible that smaller purchases will post automatically but larger ones will get audited, and that could be a reason that the audit fails.
One thing that I've learned is that there is not a lot of consistency here.
Jul 2, 2022, 9:48 pm
#1138
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 380
Sorry if this has been covered...
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Question about the giftcards.com play; Can I buy a gift card to a store i know i need to make a purchase from, then use that gift card to pay going through the shopping portal?
3x on the gift card purchase PLUS Xx on the purchase at the store through the portal using said gift card.
I notice in the terms for may stores is the following: "purchases made with a gift card may be ineligible."
what would make a purchase made with a gift card ineligible? No terms explain this. Or is this a catchall for them?
Jul 4, 2022, 10:00 am
#1139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
USA Today is now 500 miles and looks like it has an eligible offer for $1 for the first 6 months (valid until the 6th, but the extra miles may go away after today).
Jul 5, 2022, 8:44 pm
#1140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
I just buy the cards as I need them, one at a time. Most months I've gone over $2k (and a lot over in a few months where I had some large one-time bills) and I've gotten miles for everything. I still have some outstanding tickets for large multi-card orders I made back in March, but since I've moved to 1 at a time everything has posted automatically, usually within 2 days (occasionally 3-5 days), with no regard for a $2k limit.
Also if I need to buy more than 1 in a day I buy each one on a different CC. I've noticed that if I use my Citi AA card they will decline a 2nd purchase in a day and I don't want to push my luck with Chase or Amex. I do have a 1% CB "throwaway" card from a local bank that I'm willing to push my luck with if I need to buy several in a day (that's why I got the card)
Also if I need to buy more than 1 in a day I buy each one on a different CC. I've noticed that if I use my Citi AA card they will decline a 2nd purchase in a day and I don't want to push my luck with Chase or Amex. I do have a 1% CB "throwaway" card from a local bank that I'm willing to push my luck with if I need to buy several in a day (that's why I got the card)
My 2 GCs so far have been used on various purchases and the remainder (<50) got loaded to Amazon to zero the card out.
