MR portal bonus for gift cards?
Jul 31, 2011, 10:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
MR portal bonus for gift cards?
I see that some of the shops offering 4x or more bonus points through the MR portal also sell gift cards, such as Wal-Mart. Although the terms of the offer state gift cards are excluded, does AMEX really get a breakdown of a purchase so that gift cards can be excluded? Anyone had luck with getting gift cards and the bonus points?
Aug 2, 2011, 9:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Programs: DL PL, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy PL
Posts: 91
Back when it was the Bonus Points Mall there was a separate category for stores who gave you points for gift cards. I emailed Amex and they said no stores currently off this but they will add a new category if any stores start to again.
Aug 5, 2011, 5:53 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
Thanks, but that doesn't answer my question about buying gift cards through a merchandiser like Wal-Mart and if you get MR points. Unless the vendor somehow codes the purchase as containing gift cards I'm not sure how AMEX would know.
Aug 6, 2011, 10:52 am
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Gift cards are explicitly excluded. See this post for a copy of the Walmart terms, which exclude many other categeries:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16864327-post6.html
The bonus points are awarded by the merchant, not by American Express. The merchant tracks what you buy and decides if the transaction qualifies.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16864327-post6.html
The bonus points are awarded by the merchant, not by American Express. The merchant tracks what you buy and decides if the transaction qualifies.