Oct 25, 2013, 7:07 pm
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.
Jul 23, 2014, 8:11 pm
#7651
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 13
Wow!! Any tips on how to get orders approved? I have tried various combinations - all I get are declines, and obviously customer service is of no help.
Jul 23, 2014, 8:19 pm
#7652
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Are you ordering business or personal? That $17k is all business. For the $1k cards as long as all my info matches to the T with what the CC I'm using has on file they get approved. For orders of $2k or $3k cards, they still get declined, even when I copy and paste the exact same info from an approved order of $1k cards. I finally get fed up and called and the guy I spoke with said wait at least 24 hours and place the order again. He said if it fails again call back and they'll put the order through. I placed the repeat order for 3x $3k not long ago so we'll see what happens either way. I really want to get the $3k cards getting approved so I can use them to buy VGCs at my local grocery store and not rely so much on large amounts of spend on my old Blue Cash to offset the activation fees.
Jul 23, 2014, 9:42 pm
#7653
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 13
Weird. No EIN but I also have a Amex business card. I can't ever seem to get business orders for card denominations larger than $1k but I can order pretty much as many of the $1ks as I want. I've ordered $17k so far this week and they've all been approved.
Another weird thing I just noticed. Anyone else notice BF orders over $5K get rounded down 1 cent? I was just looking at my history and all my orders over $5k are what I'd expect the CB to be minus 1 cent. No fee free codes or anything were used.
Another weird thing I just noticed. Anyone else notice BF orders over $5K get rounded down 1 cent? I was just looking at my history and all my orders over $5k are what I'd expect the CB to be minus 1 cent. No fee free codes or anything were used.
Code:
7/10/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001122421 $6,000.00 $149.99 7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001153839 $5,000.00 $125.00 7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001156195 $9,000.00 $224.99
Are you ordering business or personal? That $17k is all business. For the $1k cards as long as all my info matches to the T with what the CC I'm using has on file they get approved. For orders of $2k or $3k cards, they still get declined, even when I copy and paste the exact same info from an approved order of $1k cards. I finally get fed up and called and the guy I spoke with said wait at least 24 hours and place the order again. He said if it fails again call back and they'll put the order through. I placed the repeat order for 3x $3k not long ago so we'll see what happens either way. I really want to get the $3k cards getting approved so I can use them to buy VGCs at my local grocery store and not rely so much on large amounts of spend on my old Blue Cash to offset the activation fees.
I tried personal, declined on all. Then I tried business and those have also been declined. Today I've tried doing 1k as you mentioned, it's still processing so let's see but I've matched the address that I have on the credit card on all the orders. The personal ones were 1k but now I've hit the 5k/14 day limit so trying my luck on business orders. Hope this tip of yours pays off for me as well, have to meet the minimum spend on my AOR cards.
Are the VGCs of any use anymore, I thought they weren't working on the bird anymore?
Jul 23, 2014, 10:01 pm
#7654
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
The 1c thing on BF has happened to me for even a sub $5,000 order but it was 1c so i didn't bother and anyways it was clawed back because all my orders have been declined.
I tried personal, declined on all. Then I tried business and those have also been declined. Today I've tried doing 1k as you mentioned, it's still processing so let's see but I've matched the address that I have on the credit card on all the orders. The personal ones were 1k but now I've hit the 5k/14 day limit so trying my luck on business orders. Hope this tip of yours pays off for me as well, have to meet the minimum spend on my AOR cards.
Are the VGCs of any use anymore, I thought they weren't working on the bird anymore?
I tried personal, declined on all. Then I tried business and those have also been declined. Today I've tried doing 1k as you mentioned, it's still processing so let's see but I've matched the address that I have on the credit card on all the orders. The personal ones were 1k but now I've hit the 5k/14 day limit so trying my luck on business orders. Hope this tip of yours pays off for me as well, have to meet the minimum spend on my AOR cards.
Are the VGCs of any use anymore, I thought they weren't working on the bird anymore?
Vanilla branded VGCs don't work, others still do.
Jul 24, 2014, 2:54 am
#7656
Join Date: May 2002
Location: LEESBURG, VA, USA
Posts: 254
Amex Gift card orders
Here is my report card for the past 3 months.
I order 3K personal card on 2 separate accounts. I have used all different types of credit cards but have made sure that the address with the credit card matches with what i am using as billing address on the Amex website.
I wait anywhere from 5 to 7 days and order 2K cards for both accounts to reach my limit of 5K in 14 days. Then i make sure that i wait exactly 14 days since my first order of 3K card and repeat the process. I do not want to jinx myself but it has worked like a charm. My only decline was when i did not keep track of 1 purchase and ordered too soon. I get order received e-mail and then approval e-mail after 3 to 4 hours. If i place an order on late friday, i do have to wait until monday for the approval e-mail.
Jul 24, 2014, 7:00 am
#7657
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 506
in my experience that is not the case...unless I have some sort of higher limits, I've gone over $5k in 2 days with combined appoved and declined orders.
Jul 24, 2014, 7:48 am
#7658
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
How long does it typically take for money to go from Pending to confirmed?
On BF, I had 3 pending investigations that are still listed as pending on their website, but over a week ago they e-mailed me saying it was confirmed. Not sure why the website is still not reflecting that information.
On BF, I had 3 pending investigations that are still listed as pending on their website, but over a week ago they e-mailed me saying it was confirmed. Not sure why the website is still not reflecting that information.
Jul 24, 2014, 8:32 am
#7659
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: DFW
Posts: 478
Another weird thing I just noticed. Anyone else notice BF orders over $5K get rounded down 1 cent? I was just looking at my history and all my orders over $5k are what I'd expect the CB to be minus 1 cent. No fee free codes or anything were used.
Code:
7/10/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001122421 $6,000.00 $149.99 7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001153839 $5,000.00 $125.00 7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 000001156195 $9,000.00 $224.99
7/18/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $180.00
7/19/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $9,000.00 $270.00
7/20/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $90.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $4,000.00 $120.00
7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
Last edited by spgbus; Jul 24, 2014 at 8:44 am
Jul 24, 2014, 9:31 am
#7660
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
Jesus. You guys are on some next level MSing. How do you even get rid of those? Do you have 30 AFTs?
Jul 24, 2014, 9:43 am
#7661
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 572
Seems like it just happened this week for me as well... Looks like related with 2.5% cb...
7/18/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $180.00
7/19/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $9,000.00 $270.00
7/20/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $90.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $4,000.00 $120.00
7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
7/18/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $180.00
7/19/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $9,000.00 $270.00
7/20/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $90.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $4,000.00 $120.00
7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $6,000.00 $149.99
7/9/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
7/10/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
7/11/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
7/13/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $90.00
7/22/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
7/23/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $3,000.00 $75.00
Jul 24, 2014, 10:38 am
#7662
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
No issues here
7/01/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $75,000.00 $2,250.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $75,000.00 $2,250.00
7/01/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $75,000.00 $2,250.00
7/21/2014 American Express Gift Cards and Business Gift Card 0000011xxxxx $75,000.00 $2,250.00
Jul 24, 2014, 10:41 am
#7663
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Jul 24, 2014, 10:42 am
#7664
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: SW CP, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 571