Any problem with purchasing and using Visa/MC gift card?
 

I have several one time only expenses - less than $100 at Home Depot, need to buy stuff at Target, Costco and Bed, Bath, Beyond. Totally it would be less than $600 for sure.

What would be the best return if I have Chase Ink and Sapphire? Buy $500 visa gift card at office depot and use it to purchase stuff at all places except Costco. For Amex spefic expenses, get VR at CVS using the visa/mc gift card and load BB with funds which then use it at Costco.

Any problem with the plan above?

I think it's too small of an amount to bother with point/mile multiples calc, no VGC's at OD with CC. AFAIK none of those merchants offer any bonus categories. I would use CC directly.

VGCs are cash only now so you'd be stuck getting $200 fixed value GCs... and that's if you're willing to pay the $6.95 fees. This goes for Staples and OM too.

Buying VRs with GCs is very YMMV at CVS. I say just buy the $200 AMEX at the office supply store directly and save yourself the second round of fees.

Edit: Don't quote me on this but pretty sure OD or Staples has Bed, Bath and Beyond gift cards.

Do you have an AMEX BCE/BCP? If so, I would get the fee-free GC's at a grocery store (BB&B, Target, HD, etc.).

The fees with the Visa's do not usually make sense to purchase them and then use them on every day spending for a few $100 here and there.

They have $500 VGC at OD now?

And for purely cashback, look at sites like giftcardgranny. They have many offers for 8-12% off giftcards for Bed Bath & Beyond. Which may or may not be better than 5x UR.

Are VRs available at OM? I don't remember seeing them last Friday. (Update: Not at my local OM)

I can use CC at local grocer for VRs there per cust svc and staff powwow just yesterday.

I used CC at Staples for Visa GC last Dec. Would VR be different? Have to find out. Not that I have an office supply purchase incentive card, anyway.

Have yet to actually try CVS. Used to be a fav place to hang out once a week but not so much lately.

I think discover is going to have a 5% on home depot in the second quarter. not sure though.

Any problem with purchasing and using Visa/MC gift card?
 

you could purchase retailer specific gc's at office supply store for the different retailers at no cost. And depending how much you need at costco you can buy an amex gc at officle supply or through amex w/ portal.

For Costco, just set a PIN on the Visa/MC GC and use it with the PIN.

Can you also get cash back from the GC while shopping at Costco?


Cheers