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 10, 2014, 11:43 pm
#8641
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
Sep 10, 2014, 11:44 pm
#8642
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
boy that's a lot of money... I am sure you'll get it back... Amex was quick in resolving a 5K VR botch-up CVS did to me a while back.
Sep 10, 2014, 11:46 pm
#8643
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
Except AMEX shares blame here. Packages are mis-delivered every day. That's why you put controls in place to mitigate. That's why you require signature delivery for orders of this size. That's why you don't send activated cards. That's why you send the recipient timely tracking info. AMEX did not do any of these and is negligent. Given the amount of scrutiny on the order side you would think AMEX would have similar controls on the shipping side. They could have easily prevented this theft if they emailed activation codes and required the recipient activate the cards before use.
Sep 10, 2014, 11:48 pm
#8644
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
Except AMEX shares blame here. Packages are mis-delivered every day. That's why you put controls in place to mitigate. That's why you require signature delivery for orders of this size. That's why you don't send activated cards. That's why you send the recipient timely tracking info. AMEX did not do any of these and is negligent. Given the amount of scrutiny on the order side you would think AMEX would have similar controls on the shipping side. They could have easily prevented this theft if they emailed activation codes and required the recipient activate the cards before use.
But there is still some low life that is celebrating tonight. They are the ones I hope get what they deserve.
Sep 10, 2014, 11:51 pm
#8645
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
I wholeheartedly agree with what he said. An errant period in an address will result in an order denial but once that Indian confirms your info Amex couldn't give a .... about your order.
Sep 11, 2014, 12:38 am
#8646
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS .. but soon SFO
Programs: UA PLAT, TK GLD, Hilton Diamond, IC PLAT, SPG GLD, Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,528
I've ordered a TON of AGCs and have had the following:
1) Signature required 100% of the time (always ordered $5k)
2) can NOT pick up at UPS per AMEX
3) can NOT change address per AMEX
4) can NOT deliver to UPS store to pick up per AMEX
5) MUST be signed for and delivered within the 3 attempts, can NOT change via My UPS to a later date, per AMEX
This was in New England, haven't tried in Bay Area since portals are at 0%
if anything, I was always pissed off at how hard ... AMEX was about it
Sep 11, 2014, 12:40 am
#8647
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-2 MM Starwood Plat,Delta DM
Posts: 975
Over the years AMEX has always done the right thing when I have had to file a claim on a CC charge. I hope this continues. I've never had this much on the line before.
In the end, I hope I get my money back, but I hate to see AMEX take this hit. Whoever had fun at Walmart, Shoe Carnival etc. I hope gets caught.
UPS is really the ones to blame for losing or delivering the package to the wrong address.
OTOH, I am not really excited for eyes on my accounts . . .
In the end, I hope I get my money back, but I hate to see AMEX take this hit. Whoever had fun at Walmart, Shoe Carnival etc. I hope gets caught.
UPS is really the ones to blame for losing or delivering the package to the wrong address.
OTOH, I am not really excited for eyes on my accounts . . .
Rob
Robert
Sep 11, 2014, 12:49 am
#8648
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SAN
Posts: 234
seriously?
I've ordered a TON of AGCs and have had the following:
1) Signature required 100% of the time (always ordered $5k)
2) can NOT pick up at UPS per AMEX
3) can NOT change address per AMEX
4) can NOT deliver to UPS store to pick up per AMEX
5) MUST be signed for and delivered within the 3 attempts, can NOT change via My UPS to a later date, per AMEX
This was in New England, haven't tried in Bay Area since portals are at 0%
if anything, I was always pissed off at how hard ... AMEX was about it
I've ordered a TON of AGCs and have had the following:
1) Signature required 100% of the time (always ordered $5k)
2) can NOT pick up at UPS per AMEX
3) can NOT change address per AMEX
4) can NOT deliver to UPS store to pick up per AMEX
5) MUST be signed for and delivered within the 3 attempts, can NOT change via My UPS to a later date, per AMEX
This was in New England, haven't tried in Bay Area since portals are at 0%
if anything, I was always pissed off at how hard ... AMEX was about it
Sep 11, 2014, 7:00 am
#8649
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Cashback on Amex GC through TopCashBack, BigCrumbs, etc.
FWIW I have the ups choice plus (or whatever its called... the paid service one) and recently I have been intercepting every delivery and having it sent to a ups store. I wasn't worried about them getting stolen off my doorstep, I did it so I can liquidate the cards on my way home.
Sep 11, 2014, 7:27 am
#8650
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 31
They were quick to spend $11k. I now put the receipts I get into a paper shredder in case one day a trash picker realizes I get large amounts sent daily. Hopefully AMEX checks where the cards were used and files a police report asap to catch that prick. It could be the driver or someone who saw previous receipts in the trash.
Sep 11, 2014, 7:42 am
#8651
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
It's a case to case basis. IIRC, his was on his desk when it was stolen so I'm not too sure cases like those will prosper if amex can prove it was delivered on schedule and they are not liable for any negligence involved once recipient gets hold of the cards.
Sep 11, 2014, 8:29 am
#8652
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 66
seriously?
I've ordered a TON of AGCs and have had the following:
1) Signature required 100% of the time (always ordered $5k)
2) can NOT pick up at UPS per AMEX
3) can NOT change address per AMEX
4) can NOT deliver to UPS store to pick up per AMEX
5) MUST be signed for and delivered within the 3 attempts, can NOT change via My UPS to a later date, per AMEX
This was in New England, haven't tried in Bay Area since portals are at 0%
if anything, I was always pissed off at how hard ... AMEX was about it
I've ordered a TON of AGCs and have had the following:
1) Signature required 100% of the time (always ordered $5k)
2) can NOT pick up at UPS per AMEX
3) can NOT change address per AMEX
4) can NOT deliver to UPS store to pick up per AMEX
5) MUST be signed for and delivered within the 3 attempts, can NOT change via My UPS to a later date, per AMEX
This was in New England, haven't tried in Bay Area since portals are at 0%
if anything, I was always pissed off at how hard ... AMEX was about it
Sep 11, 2014, 9:28 am
#8653
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 13
Today, when trying to order Amex GC directly from Amex, I was routed to this message.
"We're sorry, but our system was unable to complete your order. This may have been caused by a time out due to lack of activity or a connectivity issue."
CB has stopped, but has Amex stopped selling GC online period?
"We're sorry, but our system was unable to complete your order. This may have been caused by a time out due to lack of activity or a connectivity issue."
CB has stopped, but has Amex stopped selling GC online period?
Sep 11, 2014, 9:30 am
#8654
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,273
Today, when trying to order Amex GC directly from Amex, I was routed to this message.
"We're sorry, but our system was unable to complete your order. This may have been caused by a time out due to lack of activity or a connectivity issue."
CB has stopped, but has Amex stopped selling GC online period?
"We're sorry, but our system was unable to complete your order. This may have been caused by a time out due to lack of activity or a connectivity issue."
CB has stopped, but has Amex stopped selling GC online period?
Sep 11, 2014, 10:39 am
#8655
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,166
When the driver delivers a UPS package he's supposed to scan it when he drops it off. I had an investigator from UPS knock on my door saying the carrier was within 100 feet of my door when he scanned a package for two iPhones that I never ordered. So those little scanners have GPS and they will hold the carrier liable if he didn't scan the GC pouches close to your door.