Amex GC Offer: Spend $200 or more, get $10 back
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
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Amex GC Offer: Spend $200 or more, get $10 back
Has anyone figured out a good way to use the $10 off $200 Amex GC offer? I see this offer again in my account. In the past, I've always done the following:
1. Add offer to my card and all AU cards (3 of them) on my Platinum account
2. Purchase a $200 GC with each card. Use a promo code for free shipping and pay the $3.95 purchase fee
3. Total purchase price, $203.95. After the $10 back, I have a $200 GC for $193.95
This time, I am having trouble actually using it. Amex seems to have raised the purchase fee to $6.95 on a $200 card (and I'm not sure that a $200 GC for $196.95 is even worth doing). I don't believe there has EVER been a time when a single promo code (we're only allowed to use one promo code per purchase) has knocked off both shipping and purchase fees, has there? Or, has there ever been a way to combine orders so that you are paying with multiple cards on one order but only paying for shipping once? (in this case, you could use a promo code to get rid of the purchase fees and pay only one $8.95 or so shipping fee for $800 worth of GCs).
1. Add offer to my card and all AU cards (3 of them) on my Platinum account
2. Purchase a $200 GC with each card. Use a promo code for free shipping and pay the $3.95 purchase fee
3. Total purchase price, $203.95. After the $10 back, I have a $200 GC for $193.95
This time, I am having trouble actually using it. Amex seems to have raised the purchase fee to $6.95 on a $200 card (and I'm not sure that a $200 GC for $196.95 is even worth doing). I don't believe there has EVER been a time when a single promo code (we're only allowed to use one promo code per purchase) has knocked off both shipping and purchase fees, has there? Or, has there ever been a way to combine orders so that you are paying with multiple cards on one order but only paying for shipping once? (in this case, you could use a promo code to get rid of the purchase fees and pay only one $8.95 or so shipping fee for $800 worth of GCs).
#4
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#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,881
Points are worth only $0.005 each when redeemed for American Express giftcards.
If you buy giftcards directly from American Express there are two fees. $3.95-$5.95/card (depend on denomination, similar to buying an AX, MC or VS giftcard in a store), and a variable shipping fee per order.
There are always promo codes available to waive or reduce one or the other, but seldom both. I see this code to credit $3.95 against the purchase fee: AXPHOL18
Discussion here:
Amex Gift Cards fee waiver codes?
If you buy giftcards directly from American Express there are two fees. $3.95-$5.95/card (depend on denomination, similar to buying an AX, MC or VS giftcard in a store), and a variable shipping fee per order.
There are always promo codes available to waive or reduce one or the other, but seldom both. I see this code to credit $3.95 against the purchase fee: AXPHOL18
Discussion here:
Amex Gift Cards fee waiver codes?
Last edited by mia; Nov 14, 2018 at 1:10 pm
#8
That is the old one and OP can't get any longer.
Even at that old rate, it is kinda meaningless to buy those GCs unless you really need to give away those GCs.
Those GCs do not earn any reward points. At 3% return, you get $6 on the $200. And you can't get rid of those GCs easily. I'd rather buy a bunch of $200 VGCs at Staples at face value and get up to 5% back.
This is why AmEx heavily promotes those offers and get very few takers. Not attractive at all.
Even at that old rate, it is kinda meaningless to buy those GCs unless you really need to give away those GCs.
Those GCs do not earn any reward points. At 3% return, you get $6 on the $200. And you can't get rid of those GCs easily. I'd rather buy a bunch of $200 VGCs at Staples at face value and get up to 5% back.
This is why AmEx heavily promotes those offers and get very few takers. Not attractive at all.