Amex GC Offer: Spend $200 or more, get $10 back

Old Nov 12, 2018, 9:14 am
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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).
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Old Nov 14, 2018, 11:05 am
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Raising this thread. Would like to know how to use this offer as well with US Amex business plat and if there is a way to use MR points?
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Old Nov 14, 2018, 11:25 am
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i see that you have to buy at americanexpressgiftcard website, and that one charges $3.95 per card ! So no point really. Better to use your MR Points.
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Old Nov 14, 2018, 11:28 am
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Originally Posted by Green_eyes
....Better to use your MR Points.
Do you mean better to redeem points for gift cards?
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Old Nov 14, 2018, 11:40 am
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Originally Posted by mia
Do you mean better to redeem points for gift cards?
If you have tons of points and not planning any travel - yes, rather than paying 4 dollars per card.
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Old Nov 14, 2018, 12:58 pm
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mia
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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?
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Last edited by mia; Nov 14, 2018 at 1:10 pm
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 5:23 pm
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Pretty no brainer to pay $194 to get $200 back.
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 6:50 pm
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Originally Posted by NationalChamps2015
Pretty no brainer to pay $194 to get $200 back.
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.
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 7:10 pm
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I find Amex giftcards very easy to spend
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 7:48 pm
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Originally Posted by NationalChamps2015
I find Amex giftcards very easy to spend
A lot of the people here do not spend the GCs... It is a losing game the FTers play.

Better deals elsewhere. Plenty.
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 8:00 pm
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Originally Posted by RedSun
A lot of the people here do not spend the GCs... It is a losing game the FTers play.

Better deals elsewhere. Plenty.
LOL
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