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.
Aug 7, 2014, 7:20 am
#7906
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14
The wiki says that if you input fee free codes it invalidates the cb from portal. What if a code for free shipping is used? Is there 1 available now?(fsgrad?)
Aug 7, 2014, 7:47 am
#7907
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
Time to Post for TCB?
I have mainly been using BF for the past several months, but decided to switch to TCB during the current 3% promotion to diversify. I placed an order yesterday around noon and received the acceptance and shipping emails a couple of hours later. What I can't recall from past history is how long TCB typically takes to register the purchase and show the pending cashback. I figured it would update overnight, but I am still not seeing anything. I am definitely used to the few hours BF usually takes.
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
Aug 7, 2014, 7:51 am
#7908
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Aug 7, 2014, 7:57 am
#7909
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 144
TopCashBack: 2.25% on Amex Gift Cards, but changes in fees, BigCrumbs 2%.
I get mine within 24 hours. I check the portals and decide which one to use. I then shut all windows and then open the one I am using. I place the order and have not had a problem. The one time I did not close all the windows was the only time the Cash back did not post. I did not complain since the 3 portals have been very good to me.
Aug 7, 2014, 8:02 am
#7910
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
I have mainly been using BF for the past several months, but decided to switch to TCB during the current 3% promotion to diversify. I placed an order yesterday around noon and received the acceptance and shipping emails a couple of hours later. What I can't recall from past history is how long TCB typically takes to register the purchase and show the pending cashback. I figured it would update overnight, but I am still not seeing anything. I am definitely used to the few hours BF usually takes.
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
Aug 7, 2014, 8:36 am
#7911
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
I have mainly been using BF for the past several months, but decided to switch to TCB during the current 3% promotion to diversify. I placed an order yesterday around noon and received the acceptance and shipping emails a couple of hours later. What I can't recall from past history is how long TCB typically takes to register the purchase and show the pending cashback. I figured it would update overnight, but I am still not seeing anything. I am definitely used to the few hours BF usually takes.
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
What time span are people currently experiencing on TCB for a AGC purchase to post?
Aug 7, 2014, 11:48 am
#7912
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 407
. How often do you put in orders when you get declined? The only ..... is that it eats through your CL like crazyThat's the problem. Too big too soon for Barclay. Buy a flight, a few k, get a free trip on a stolen card before owner notices.
I put EVERYTHING on Barclay and when I diversify, the AU keeps putting household /daily / travel / business purchases on it. Miles add up fast. And so far, no AGC denials. On the other hand, I'm not pushing 100k in AGC every month.
I put EVERYTHING on Barclay and when I diversify, the AU keeps putting household /daily / travel / business purchases on it. Miles add up fast. And so far, no AGC denials. On the other hand, I'm not pushing 100k in AGC every month.
Aug 7, 2014, 12:34 pm
#7913
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Well, at least its not just me then. Got another decline using AMEX card . How often do you put in orders when you get declined? The only ..... is that it eats through your CL like crazy
Whoops! I guess I wasnt clear -- I already ran through a ton of visa buxx loads on the barclay with not a wink from them, but this was the first charge that was over $1k so I guess that mightve triggered it...but then again this is the 2nd month with that card so maybe it was too hard
. How often do you put in orders when you get declined? The only ..... is that it eats through your CL like crazyWhoops! I guess I wasnt clear -- I already ran through a ton of visa buxx loads on the barclay with not a wink from them, but this was the first charge that was over $1k so I guess that mightve triggered it...but then again this is the 2nd month with that card so maybe it was too hard
Aug 7, 2014, 1:30 pm
#7914
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 450
Happy BeFrugal payment day! Check your paypal accounts
Aug 7, 2014, 2:02 pm
#7915
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
Ordered a couple AGC's (two different orders) approx. 5-6 days ago for the first time through BeFrugal. It shows a click number for both, but no order ever reported for either one. I didn't use any codes. Wiki says usually a day or two for the portal to track. Just wondering when I should start to be worried that it didn't track the order...
Aug 7, 2014, 3:19 pm
#7916
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Promising development. I had two orders declined and one pending and received a phone call from someone at Amex asking to verify my information in order to put those orders through. He said he couldn't verify my SNN or EIN number. I gave him both explaining I was a sole proprietorship and recently got a EIN for tax purposes of the business. He then asked me if I had a copy of my letter from the IRS as proof of this information. I forwarded the document over to them. I'm hoping this will verify me in their system and allow me to place $2k and $3k card orders now. Fingers crossed.
Aug 7, 2014, 3:59 pm
#7917
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 407
Damn, if it does, I'm hoping I could call them and get this working!
Aug 7, 2014, 5:02 pm
#7918
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SJC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 130
Argh, I'm now 0 for 2 on tracking through TCB. I even used a new incognito window this time. Any other tips? I didn't see any warnings about not signing in to my Amex account to auto-populate the billing information; is that causing problems? Other merchants seem to be tracking fine (GCM, Marriott, etc).
Aug 7, 2014, 5:33 pm
#7919
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 506
Argh, I'm now 0 for 2 on tracking through TCB. I even used a new incognito window this time. Any other tips? I didn't see any warnings about not signing in to my Amex account to auto-populate the billing information; is that causing problems? Other merchants seem to be tracking fine (GCM, Marriott, etc).
Aug 7, 2014, 5:58 pm
#7920
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Hello:
I placed 2 American Express gift card orders over 2 weeks ago. I already received the GC but the orders did not register on TCB. In order to get cash back, I understand that coupon is not allowed. I did not include any coupon to waive the fee but I do have free shipping since I paid for the one year premium shipping service. Would TCB or American Express consider the free shipping (eventhough I paid the service) as "coupon" and thus cash back is not allowed?
Today I made another order and again, I was notified by American Express that the GC is shipped but it is still not registered in TCB. Does anyone has the same experience?
Thank you for sharing.
I placed 2 American Express gift card orders over 2 weeks ago. I already received the GC but the orders did not register on TCB. In order to get cash back, I understand that coupon is not allowed. I did not include any coupon to waive the fee but I do have free shipping since I paid for the one year premium shipping service. Would TCB or American Express consider the free shipping (eventhough I paid the service) as "coupon" and thus cash back is not allowed?
Today I made another order and again, I was notified by American Express that the GC is shipped but it is still not registered in TCB. Does anyone has the same experience?
Thank you for sharing.