Last edit by: ericdabbs
Please read the wiki before posting a question.
UPDATE 01/17/15
BeFrugal: 1.5%
Big Crumbs: 0.9%
TopCashBack: 1.5%
For other cash back or airline portals, check here: http://www.cashbackmonitor.com/Cashb...erican+express
Public Service Announcement: Do NOT use fee-free codes if you want portal cashback / miles. CB/Miles will post and then be clawed back.
FAQ
Will it post as a cash advance (CA)?
Citi - Yes.
Cards from Chase, BoA, FIA, Barclay, AMEX, CapitalOne, US Bank, Discover, HSBC, etc., have posted as purchase. PNC Visa Cashbuilder - posts as purchase but does not earn CC rewards
Note: Some issuers (Discover, US Bank, etc.) will decline the authorization if it exceeds your CA limit. This does NOT mean it will post as CA. It simply means you need to lower the purchase amount below your CA limit for authorization, but it ultimately posts as a purchase.
How do I set PIN on AMEX Gift Cards and use as debit to load Bluebird, buy MOs, etc.
You cannot set PIN or use them as debit to load Bluebird, buy MOs, etc. You can only use them as credit where AMEX is accepted.
How do I cash out AMEX Gift Cards?
Use manufactured spend techniques (load RB, buy Visa/MC GCs, VRs, AP, AFT, etc.) or normal spend where AMEX is accepted.
Why buy AMEX Gift Cards then?
To reduce the cost of manufactured spend, to mask your manufactured spend (i.e unusual high spend at Target or CVS), earn additional cash back on spend, or meet minimum spend targets faster.
Next day shipping that isn't?
The next day shipping is from when they ship the cards to UPS, which can be as long as 10 days from the order submission if you order personalized cards (more recently this has been under a week). For next day shipping, you are notified late night (once your card finishes processing, see above) and the package arrive that same morning before 10:30AM in your area.
What is with the charge disappearing from my credit card?
Once the order is placed you will see a pending charge on your CC account. Quite often once the card ships this pending is removed but does not show as a charge. Don't panic (or celebrate) it will show up as a charge within a day or so.
Personalized GCs?
Either Biz or Personal GCs can be personalized with your name. This helps when shaky cashiers who demand to see your card are prevalent. These take approximately 4 biz days to arrive compared to the non personalized which arrives as quickly as the next day.
UPS Tracking?
If you logged in to your AMEX account when placing the order you can get tracking info by logging in to your AMEX account and clicking on cards > gift cards > order history > order details. Unfortunately tracking information may not appear until well after your order has shipped so it's best to sign up for UPS My Choice to get faster tracking info and reroute your package if needed. Since UPS may drop your package off at the door if you're not home, it will be useful to know when your package will arrive.
The portal terms indicate that coupon codes will invalidate cash back. Is this true?
Yes (as of July 2014)
What are the purchase limits? (Updated Dec 2014)
10K personal every 14 days
100K business every 14 days
Do declined orders count toward the purchase limits?
YMMV
Do fees and shipping count toward the purchase limits?
No
Why was my purchase declined by AMEX?
There are several possibilities:
- Your billing address does not match 100% with what the credit card company has on file. This could be anything from apt/suite/condo # on the wrong line to zip code requiring 9 digits instead of 5. If your first purchase does not go through, call your bank or login to your acct to verify that this matches what you used.
- You have gone over the $10k every 14 day limit on personal gift card purchase.
- Even if you are sure the first two are correct as you have ordered before on that card and it's been more than 14 days, you might still get declined. No one has any idea why.
- You placed a business order and you don't really have a business (at some point AMEX does a background check for a valid business) or you have exceeded the 14 day limit for business orders.
My order was declined but my credit card still shows a pending authorization. How long until this falls off and my credit line is freed up?
I typically takes 1 week for the pending authorization to fall off after a declined order.
Can I order from the business side using a personal card? Or does it need to be a business card?
You can use whatever credit card you want to pay for business or personal orders. About the only restriction is you can't use an AMEX GC to buy another AMEX GC.
How long will it take the portal to track my order and confirm the pending cash back or points?
For non-Cartera portals (TCB, BC, Befrugal, etc) your order will usually track within a day or two.
For Cartera portals (Barclay Reward Boost, Lucky Rewards, USAA, Alaska, Delta) it will take 3-4 weeks to track.
My orders are not tracking. How can I maximize the chances the portal will track my order properly?
Use a browser you do not normally use (Chrome, Firefox, Opera), reset all browser settings to defaults, clear all browser cookies, disable all browser add-ons, and close/re-start your browser before navigating to the portal and placing your order. Do NOT use promotional coupon codes. The vast majority of tracking issues result from use of coupon codes, a bad browser cookie, improperly configured browser settings, or add-ons that interfere with cookie tracking.
UPDATE 01/17/15
BeFrugal: 1.5%
Big Crumbs: 0.9%
TopCashBack: 1.5%
For other cash back or airline portals, check here: http://www.cashbackmonitor.com/Cashb...erican+express
Public Service Announcement: Do NOT use fee-free codes if you want portal cashback / miles. CB/Miles will post and then be clawed back.
FAQ
Will it post as a cash advance (CA)?
Citi - Yes.
Cards from Chase, BoA, FIA, Barclay, AMEX, CapitalOne, US Bank, Discover, HSBC, etc., have posted as purchase. PNC Visa Cashbuilder - posts as purchase but does not earn CC rewards
Note: Some issuers (Discover, US Bank, etc.) will decline the authorization if it exceeds your CA limit. This does NOT mean it will post as CA. It simply means you need to lower the purchase amount below your CA limit for authorization, but it ultimately posts as a purchase.
How do I set PIN on AMEX Gift Cards and use as debit to load Bluebird, buy MOs, etc.
You cannot set PIN or use them as debit to load Bluebird, buy MOs, etc. You can only use them as credit where AMEX is accepted.
How do I cash out AMEX Gift Cards?
Use manufactured spend techniques (load RB, buy Visa/MC GCs, VRs, AP, AFT, etc.) or normal spend where AMEX is accepted.
Why buy AMEX Gift Cards then?
To reduce the cost of manufactured spend, to mask your manufactured spend (i.e unusual high spend at Target or CVS), earn additional cash back on spend, or meet minimum spend targets faster.
Next day shipping that isn't?
The next day shipping is from when they ship the cards to UPS, which can be as long as 10 days from the order submission if you order personalized cards (more recently this has been under a week). For next day shipping, you are notified late night (once your card finishes processing, see above) and the package arrive that same morning before 10:30AM in your area.
What is with the charge disappearing from my credit card?
Once the order is placed you will see a pending charge on your CC account. Quite often once the card ships this pending is removed but does not show as a charge. Don't panic (or celebrate) it will show up as a charge within a day or so.
Personalized GCs?
Either Biz or Personal GCs can be personalized with your name. This helps when shaky cashiers who demand to see your card are prevalent. These take approximately 4 biz days to arrive compared to the non personalized which arrives as quickly as the next day.
UPS Tracking?
If you logged in to your AMEX account when placing the order you can get tracking info by logging in to your AMEX account and clicking on cards > gift cards > order history > order details. Unfortunately tracking information may not appear until well after your order has shipped so it's best to sign up for UPS My Choice to get faster tracking info and reroute your package if needed. Since UPS may drop your package off at the door if you're not home, it will be useful to know when your package will arrive.
The portal terms indicate that coupon codes will invalidate cash back. Is this true?
Yes (as of July 2014)
What are the purchase limits? (Updated Dec 2014)
10K personal every 14 days
100K business every 14 days
Do declined orders count toward the purchase limits?
YMMV
Do fees and shipping count toward the purchase limits?
No
Why was my purchase declined by AMEX?
There are several possibilities:
- Your billing address does not match 100% with what the credit card company has on file. This could be anything from apt/suite/condo # on the wrong line to zip code requiring 9 digits instead of 5. If your first purchase does not go through, call your bank or login to your acct to verify that this matches what you used.
- You have gone over the $10k every 14 day limit on personal gift card purchase.
- Even if you are sure the first two are correct as you have ordered before on that card and it's been more than 14 days, you might still get declined. No one has any idea why.
- You placed a business order and you don't really have a business (at some point AMEX does a background check for a valid business) or you have exceeded the 14 day limit for business orders.
My order was declined but my credit card still shows a pending authorization. How long until this falls off and my credit line is freed up?
I typically takes 1 week for the pending authorization to fall off after a declined order.
Can I order from the business side using a personal card? Or does it need to be a business card?
You can use whatever credit card you want to pay for business or personal orders. About the only restriction is you can't use an AMEX GC to buy another AMEX GC.
How long will it take the portal to track my order and confirm the pending cash back or points?
For non-Cartera portals (TCB, BC, Befrugal, etc) your order will usually track within a day or two.
For Cartera portals (Barclay Reward Boost, Lucky Rewards, USAA, Alaska, Delta) it will take 3-4 weeks to track.
My orders are not tracking. How can I maximize the chances the portal will track my order properly?
Use a browser you do not normally use (Chrome, Firefox, Opera), reset all browser settings to defaults, clear all browser cookies, disable all browser add-ons, and close/re-start your browser before navigating to the portal and placing your order. Do NOT use promotional coupon codes. The vast majority of tracking issues result from use of coupon codes, a bad browser cookie, improperly configured browser settings, or add-ons that interfere with cookie tracking.
Cashback on Amex GC through TopCashBack, BigCrumbs, etc.
#181
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
Maybe if we all write to Jess at [email protected] promising to make a big purchase of Amex Gift Cards if they go back up to 2.5% they will make a Flyertalker change? Maybe an after Christmas sale? Anyone up for a group mailing all the same day?
We could stock up for the year and make enough to pay for those Christmas presents!
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
We could stock up for the year and make enough to pay for those Christmas presents!
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
#182
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,988
i for it. i think that otherwise its dead till next year
#183
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,145
AMEX GC must be really screwed up. I have place several orders that were canceled and several that were accepted. In total, I was able to get three orders accepted for a total of $12,000 in GC.
I have received the GC's and already used them for taxes but AMEX GC still hasn't charged me for one of my orders ($3000) and it has been over a week. This is for an order I put on an AMEX Blue, it showed up as pending on the day I placed the order but now the pending charge has disappeared but no actual charge has showed up. This may be the best deal ever...
I have received the GC's and already used them for taxes but AMEX GC still hasn't charged me for one of my orders ($3000) and it has been over a week. This is for an order I put on an AMEX Blue, it showed up as pending on the day I placed the order but now the pending charge has disappeared but no actual charge has showed up. This may be the best deal ever...
And I to have a charge pending from the 15th.
#184
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Yes, still a great deal, though
Can someone pls clarify which codes will eliminate CB? Saw a few mentions of this in the thread but don't want to risk losing the CB. Seems like free shipping codes are ok, but those that remove the 3.95 fee arent? Thanks!
Can someone pls clarify which codes will eliminate CB? Saw a few mentions of this in the thread but don't want to risk losing the CB. Seems like free shipping codes are ok, but those that remove the 3.95 fee arent? Thanks!
#185
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
Need debit card for rent
Guys
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
#186
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Guys
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...ebit-card.html
#187
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
I did look at that option but don't have a walmart anywhere near me and it doesn't allow you to use a credit card to fund or buy a bluebird with an amount allocated online
#188
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,988
Guys
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
I called my post office and they said they only accept debit cards and not credit for money orders. I plan to use money orders to pay my rent
What's my best option online to order a debit card with my Chase credit card? If there's no online option, I'll do offline but prefer online
Thanks
seriously?
did u ask if u could pick up some other items at the post office too? not that u were moving or anything...
seriously?
#189
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...aid-cards.html
#190
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
JFTR, multiple GC orders can trigger an AMEX FR. Whether an AMEX FR is the best deal ever depends on whether you are The Spanish Inquisition or the condemned heretic.
Originally Posted by timeo1
AMEX GC must be really screwed up. I have place several orders that were canceled and several that were accepted. In total, I was able to get three orders accepted for a total of $12,000 in GC.
I have received the GC's and already used them for taxes but AMEX GC still hasn't charged me for one of my orders ($3000) and it has been over a week. This is for an order I put on an AMEX Blue, it showed up as pending on the day I placed the order but now the pending charge has disappeared but no actual charge has showed up. This may be the best deal ever...
Originally Posted by timeo1
AMEX GC must be really screwed up. I have place several orders that were canceled and several that were accepted. In total, I was able to get three orders accepted for a total of $12,000 in GC.
I have received the GC's and already used them for taxes but AMEX GC still hasn't charged me for one of my orders ($3000) and it has been over a week. This is for an order I put on an AMEX Blue, it showed up as pending on the day I placed the order but now the pending charge has disappeared but no actual charge has showed up. This may be the best deal ever...
#191
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 429
I just purchased a GC (only at 1.4% now) and both codes EMS20121 and EMDECVMBR show as expired for both personal and business.
#193
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
BigCrumbs said they are not raising the percentage any time soon so just order!
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
#194
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,988
who accepts AMEX where the fees are low enough to justify ordering these GCs?
unless its min spending.
unless its min spending.
#195
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, SPG gold, PC Plat, CC gold
Posts: 196
any new codes?