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.
Sep 5, 2014, 10:33 am
#8536
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-2 MM Starwood Plat,Delta DM
Posts: 975
Interesting data point happened to me today. I use all of the AGC for expenses and not MS. Any point bonuses I get (through portals) are worth it to me. I got an email from a vendor who was called by AMEX to verify that spending I did was for actual business expenses. I had invoices paid. She told me that she even called AMEX to verify it was not a phishing call. I wonder if they are taking a look at the high value business gift cards to make sure other things are not happening.
Sep 5, 2014, 10:37 am
#8537
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Interesting data point happened to me today. I use all of the AGC for expenses and not MS. Any point bonuses I get (through portals) are worth it to me. I got an email from a vendor who was called by AMEX to verify that spending I did was for actual business expenses. I had invoices paid. She told me that she even called AMEX to verify it was not a phishing call. I wonder if they are taking a look at the high value business gift cards to make sure other things are not happening.
Sep 5, 2014, 10:40 am
#8538
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
Interesting data point happened to me today. I use all of the AGC for expenses and not MS. Any point bonuses I get (through portals) are worth it to me. I got an email from a vendor who was called by AMEX to verify that spending I did was for actual business expenses. I had invoices paid. She told me that she even called AMEX to verify it was not a phishing call. I wonder if they are taking a look at the high value business gift cards to make sure other things are not happening.
Sep 5, 2014, 11:15 am
#8540
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 6
So I have been told twice now, that the waiting period is 14 business days. So not counting weekends or holidays, that would put 14 days for me at 9/10 or 9/11, respectively.
I have asked multiple times if the 14 day window resets every time I get denied. They have all said that denials do not effect the 14 day period.
Is this accurate at all?
I have asked multiple times if the 14 day window resets every time I get denied. They have all said that denials do not effect the 14 day period.
Is this accurate at all?
14 calendar days for personal cards for most people. There are others that report that this does not apply to them, but all my attempts to test shorter periods yield declines.
If you have a denied request, it blocks the ability to place another order for that amount for a while. May be 24 hours, but I was told that once it is no longer showing as a hold on your credit card, it has been restored to your available purchase limit. Waiting until it is no longer showing as a pending purchase on the credit card has worked for me.
If you attempt to make more than 5K in requests using the same credit card for purchases in 24 hours, it will decline those purchases (ie, I had the AMEX guy on the line, and he told me to put through another purchase while on the line so he could approve it, and then he realized he had forgotten about the block on the credit card after 5K has already been tried in that 24 hour period).
Sep 5, 2014, 11:33 am
#8541
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LEX
Programs: Delta Reserve - PM
Posts: 1,143
Okay, so here's another data point.
I signed my wife up, with her SS#, and under her personal AMEX account last night. She has never purchased gift cards, and certainly not with her AMEX card...so everything should have been good to go.
Denied.
The only common link between her purchase and mine is that the billing/shipping addresses are exactly the same (just different names). The billing address was directly copied from one of the AMEX statements on their website...so that matched.
The error that was given was "exceeded your limit". What limit? She had never purchased gift cards.
I signed my wife up, with her SS#, and under her personal AMEX account last night. She has never purchased gift cards, and certainly not with her AMEX card...so everything should have been good to go.
Denied.
The only common link between her purchase and mine is that the billing/shipping addresses are exactly the same (just different names). The billing address was directly copied from one of the AMEX statements on their website...so that matched.
The error that was given was "exceeded your limit". What limit? She had never purchased gift cards.
Sep 5, 2014, 1:01 pm
#8542
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 84
Interesting data point happened to me today. I use all of the AGC for expenses and not MS. Any point bonuses I get (through portals) are worth it to me. I got an email from a vendor who was called by AMEX to verify that spending I did was for actual business expenses. I had invoices paid. She told me that she even called AMEX to verify it was not a phishing call. I wonder if they are taking a look at the high value business gift cards to make sure other things are not happening.
Sep 5, 2014, 1:16 pm
#8543
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
If true, seems like some privacy issues here. robertw477, maybe you are in line for a nice settlement. 
Sep 5, 2014, 4:56 pm
#8544
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 21
Okay, so here's another data point.
I signed my wife up, with her SS#, and under her personal AMEX account last night. She has never purchased gift cards, and certainly not with her AMEX card...so everything should have been good to go.
Denied.
The only common link between her purchase and mine is that the billing/shipping addresses are exactly the same (just different names). The billing address was directly copied from one of the AMEX statements on their website...so that matched.
The error that was given was "exceeded your limit". What limit? She had never purchased gift cards.
I signed my wife up, with her SS#, and under her personal AMEX account last night. She has never purchased gift cards, and certainly not with her AMEX card...so everything should have been good to go.
Denied.
The only common link between her purchase and mine is that the billing/shipping addresses are exactly the same (just different names). The billing address was directly copied from one of the AMEX statements on their website...so that matched.
The error that was given was "exceeded your limit". What limit? She had never purchased gift cards.
)
Sep 5, 2014, 4:59 pm
#8545
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 21
Interesting data point happened to me today. I use all of the AGC for expenses and not MS. Any point bonuses I get (through portals) are worth it to me. I got an email from a vendor who was called by AMEX to verify that spending I did was for actual business expenses. I had invoices paid. She told me that she even called AMEX to verify it was not a phishing call. I wonder if they are taking a look at the high value business gift cards to make sure other things are not happening.
Sep 5, 2014, 6:13 pm
#8546
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 866
Id rather use an Anex GC for those purchases as the card is never declined for a fraud alert.
Sep 5, 2014, 6:55 pm
#8547
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 131
I want to buy some smaller denoms as gifts all to different addresses (maybe $150 x3). What's the cheapest way to do this right now? I know there was that free year of shipping a few months ago but I think that's gone now. Is there a way to get purchase fees and shipping fees waived?
Sep 5, 2014, 7:01 pm
#8548
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Sep 5, 2014, 9:43 pm
#8549
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 131
Thanks for that purchase code. I don't have the 1 year of free shipping, but could I still get the 90 days of free shipping trial?
Sep 6, 2014, 12:27 am
#8550
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 93
MrRebates is no longer listing any CB for anyone who can update the wiki.
But a few new places I'm unfamiliar with are now popping up at 1% over at cashbackmonitor
But a few new places I'm unfamiliar with are now popping up at 1% over at cashbackmonitor