Getting spending up without the Mint
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
So... yeah, some way to fund an online bank accountage, brokerage account, buy bonds, something like without a fee would be ideal. Though I am willing to eat a few % points on spending if it's really necessary.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
well if you wont order GCs that people can later turn into mint coins for you, then you just need a few friends that you can pay expenses for and then have them put money into your bank.
#18
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Do you have anyone in the State who you trust with to work with on this? If so, add them as a user, get them their own card and have them order coins, spend $ pay bills, whatever
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
In the case of my own mother who says she wants more starpoints, I simply had her make me an auth user on her amex and I ship all coins or GCs to me. Then I bill pay her bill and she just racks up the points.
You could do this with relatives or friends too. Just people you trust who are willing to help--even if only once or twice.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,708
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...s-up-mint.html
#21
Join Date: May 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: Lotz
Posts: 1,534
You realize you can prepay all sorts of things: cellphone, insurance, cable, utilities, etc. What's left can go on giftcards from stores you use or even visa/mc for a small fee. Pre-paying 3K spend isn't hard.
Telling this crowd you're gonna miss your bonus over a spend is alarming.
Telling this crowd you're gonna miss your bonus over a spend is alarming.
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 13
do not EVER EVER buy GC from financial institution(IE: AMEX GC FROM AMEX) or fund account with Citi cards...they take them as cash advance.
I didn't have guts to deposit $4000 worth of mint coins to my local bank, so I used square machine and lost 2.75% but still a profit.
I didn't have guts to deposit $4000 worth of mint coins to my local bank, so I used square machine and lost 2.75% but still a profit.
#24
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
do not EVER EVER buy GC from financial institution(IE: AMEX GC FROM AMEX) or fund account with Citi cards...they take them as cash advance.
I didn't have guts to deposit $4000 worth of mint coins to my local bank, so I used square machine and lost 2.75% but still a profit.
I didn't have guts to deposit $4000 worth of mint coins to my local bank, so I used square machine and lost 2.75% but still a profit.
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 196
problem is the Mint is almost at a standstill. Had placed an order over 3 weeks ago and Friday got an email saying "backlog" so don't know when that will clear. Main problem with CC bonus miles is that must spend $xxx within either 3months for some cards, so time is important.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
problem is the Mint is almost at a standstill. Had placed an order over 3 weeks ago and Friday got an email saying "backlog" so don't know when that will clear. Main problem with CC bonus miles is that must spend $xxx within either 3months for some cards, so time is important.
the thinking is: You could probably burn the money on the GCs over time anyway, but you only have x months--often a short window--to get the spend and thus the bonus.
So if you buy GCs, you fulfill this need and then can use them later. It's much like getting gift certs from a restaurant for an idine promo.
Many such certs are valid for a year. The promo only lasts for a few weeks.
The mint will be back. Get GCs now if you can, and get coins later.
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 196
this is why buying gift cards with a CC to cover spend requirements is a good practice--regardless of whether the mint existed or not.
the thinking is: You could probably burn the money on the GCs over time anyway, but you only have x months--often a short window--to get the spend and thus the bonus.
So if you buy GCs, you fulfill this need and then can use them later. It's much like getting gift certs from a restaurant for an idine promo.
Many such certs are valid for a year. The promo only lasts for a few weeks.
The mint will be back. Get GCs now if you can, and get coins later.
the thinking is: You could probably burn the money on the GCs over time anyway, but you only have x months--often a short window--to get the spend and thus the bonus.
So if you buy GCs, you fulfill this need and then can use them later. It's much like getting gift certs from a restaurant for an idine promo.
Many such certs are valid for a year. The promo only lasts for a few weeks.
The mint will be back. Get GCs now if you can, and get coins later.
Now, which Giftcards are the best to order?
1) no fees or charges
2)easiest to use (spend)
3) cards with longer expiration dates (or possible No expiration dates), also heard some cards have no expiration dates but decreases in value over time
#28
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LIT
Programs: DL SkyMiles, AA, CX Asia Miles, United MileagePlus, HHonors
Posts: 243
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
well I pmd ya