Best unknown methods for MS
May 26, 2014 | 11:03 am
#271
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
I doubt the kiosk boy cares... but I'm sure US Bank/Bancorp knows whats going on. and they might be concerned about their bottom dollar selling via SMs. unless SM is eating/sharing some of the cost or lack thereof from not using these VGCs as intended (and projected revenues per card esp at the max $500 load)
May 26, 2014 | 11:41 am
#272
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
Finally had a glitch at Simon. Normal gals not on duty, newer gal pushed paperwork. Said I could speak to her manager although nothing I did indicated that was even necessary. Left without controversy. But, might be wise to be careful due to security cameras that "read" actions out of context.
In response, I will buy a few GCs at drugstores and try again later at Simon, but won't spend the fuel right now. Fuel worth it for $5-10K but not for the 2 card max I had this last time.
Won't pronounce it "over" but just not sure until then...
In response, I will buy a few GCs at drugstores and try again later at Simon, but won't spend the fuel right now. Fuel worth it for $5-10K but not for the 2 card max I had this last time.
Won't pronounce it "over" but just not sure until then...
Last edited by jan_believes; May 27, 2014 at 8:47 pm
May 27, 2014 | 11:41 am
#274
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: AA, DL, AS
Posts: 183
I doubt the kiosk boy cares... but I'm sure US Bank/Bancorp knows whats going on. and they might be concerned about their bottom dollar selling via SMs. unless SM is eating/sharing some of the cost or lack thereof from not using these VGCs as intended (and projected revenues per card esp at the max $500 load)
However, SM is probably a prolific source of new merchant accounts, and they would take action to keep SM from losing money. It will take a while though: large IT departments can take months to make simple changes, and even making the decision to do so can take a while.
May 27, 2014 | 1:09 pm
#275
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: AA, DL, AS
Posts: 183
Just because no one talked about it here, doesn't mean someone hasn't been doing $10K a month in VGC purchases for a couple of years.
May 27, 2014 | 3:51 pm
#276
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,167
May 27, 2014 | 8:03 pm
#277
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,386
Went in today to buy some cards with my normal CC. The cashier, who has been there on my last 3 out of 4 trips, inquired about why I purchase so many. I was truthful and said that I use them to pay bills that don't accept credit card. (True as I used them for BP at WM lol). Anyways, as usual she had to call for approval for anything over $500. Told her manager my name and said yes she's been here before. I partially wonder if they will start to try to stop me though that would really suck since I am using a real credit card and with matching ID.
May 27, 2014 | 8:40 pm
#278
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
Went in today to buy some cards with my normal CC. The cashier, who has been there on my last 3 out of 4 trips, inquired about why I purchase so many. I was truthful and said that I use them to pay bills that don't accept credit card. (True as I used them for BP at WM lol). Anyways, as usual she had to call for approval for anything over $500. Told her manager my name and said yes she's been here before. I partially wonder if they will start to try to stop me though that would really suck since I am using a real credit card and with matching ID.
May 27, 2014 | 10:16 pm
#279
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,386
May 28, 2014 | 5:00 am
#280
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
FTR, that was impractical from an MS perspective prior to the VGCs and other cards being allowed pins. However, from a ML perspective pins were less of an issue and no doubt there was volume.
May 28, 2014 | 1:00 pm
#281
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
banks by definition take risks everyday, ofc they get into all kinda deals where there are huge chances of losing money. hello, bear stearns, lehman brothers bankruptcy? AIG bailout for failing big time on credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations?
if there was no chance of losing money banks would never approve you for a mortgage, heck forget that, they would never approve you a credit limit. or in cases like Amex follow up with FRs to make sure you were in a position to pay em back.
May 29, 2014 | 11:01 am
#282
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,187
One month ago, the rule here was anything 3000+ would require a Tax ID #.
The person at the guest services desk said they wanted to avoid money laundering?
My question is.....what do they do with the form or Tax ID # if I fill it out?
May 29, 2014 | 11:17 am
#284
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Delta Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,187
The only reason I could come up with is its a deterrent that makes the Mall management feel somehow safer. Stupid rule implemented by stupid management.
So today, I'm headed over to the Simon Mall to purchase 2000 worth, not 2500, I'll show them! Ridiculous.
May 29, 2014 | 11:30 am
#285
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 94
When I most recently returned to buy $2K, they had a form with my name on it and wanted me to fill in my info and said next time it would be pre-filled in for me and I would just have to sign. I asked what do you do with this and she said it is just for the mall's internal records. She said the only way to skip the form was to not buy more than $500.