Using AMEX GRN/GLD/PLAT/CENT to buy cashiers checks or the like?
 

Anyone? Anyone?

I'm wondering if anyone here has used their AMEX card (non-credit) to buy cashiers checks, travelers checks, or anything similar in order to circumvent instances of non-AMEX acceptance?

One example that comes to mind (and is in our archives) is buying a Gift Card at Wal-Mart to use at Sam's Club. Anything else?

You know I am just looking to maximize my spending dollars! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Rent, mortgage, car payments.....collectors that will take a certified/cashiers check. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by danpic (edited 06-24-2002).]

Other than for savings bonds I too would be extremely interested in finding a method of charging cash equivalents to the card.

For the most part, these types of transactions (charging something in exchange for cash) are prohibited in order to prevent money laundering.

Snowcap

You can buy gift cheques and travelers checks online from AMEX. This has been discussed before; basically it's not worth it with the associated fees.

For Gift Cheques a fee of $2.50 per check plus additional for shipping (min. $5.95):

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...v=shopgiftcheq

For Travelers Cheques there is a $15 fee and shipping costs:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...av=travcheques

The limit is 1K for each per 14 days. They don't earn miles; though you might get lucky - I've earned miles from them in the past.

Another choice is the Be My Guest Card: with a fee of $5.95 per card and amounts up to $500. You can use it at restaurants that accept AMEX:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...41,8514,00.asp

You could also look into funding debit cards like the VisaBux; but most don't take AMEX as a funding source - check with the individual bank issuing the card.

PayPal isn't worth it; your limited in the amount you can withdraw - you'd need to open a merchant account and that would lead to fees - you'd loose money in the process of getting the cash from the card transaction.

I recommend you look into paying all your bills; i.e. utility, cell phone - using your credit card. This is easy to do through AMEX.

What are you really trying to do here?




[This message has been edited by WhiteAMEX (edited 06-24-2002).]

VisaBuxx is the closest cash equivalent I have found so far. However, as stated above, you can only use Visa and MC to fund a VisaBuxx card. Visit www.visabuxx.com for more information.

Basically, a VisaBuxx card is a stored value card that is funded with a Visa or MC credit card. The three biggest restrictions with a VisaBuxx are 1) the funding limits, 2) the cash withdrawl limits, 3) the fees. You can oversome each of theses issues the following way: 1) create multiple cards, although this requires social security numbers for each user, 2) "buy" money orders to suppliment the cash withdrawl limitations, although this raises the total fees, 3) use a card that is best for you given where you live and how you plan to fund it.

For me, I have a couple of B of A VisaBuxx cards. Each card can be funded with a maximum of $35,000 in spend per year for $150 to $250 in fees. The best application for this is my SWA Visa card. My two cards will generate 4 Rapid Reward vouchers for appx $400 in fees. More importantly, it will also generate a companion pass for my wife.


MTP

Can anyone confirm or clarify what the story is for green card holders and travelers checks?

AmEx's Web site says:

"American Express Cardmembers can purchase Travelers Cheques or Cheques for Two as a cash advance, an Express Cash transaction, or by authorizing a checking account debit**. Some institutions that sell Travelers Cheques or Cheques for Two may allow them to be charged to credit cards."

There's no cash advance on a charge card, I don't know what express cash is, and obviously debiting your checking account isn't really the same as using your chard card.

So, I'm still confused - can we use charge cards to buy travelers checks?

The $15 fee is really equivalent on a $1000 transaction to Citibank's 1.5% fee; if I can get the travelers checks on my AmEx account, points or not, it seems to make financial sense, versus spending actual cash on them with Citi.

d