SE Lower MI, OH, and KY Markets Update
 

Thank you sam_goh for posting the policy screenshot in post #566. I took this to my local Kroger in SE lower MI. My go-to employee took a copy of it and allowed the purchase of three $500 VGCs earlier this weekend. He quietly admitted that none of mgmt. read through the policy (which I originally thought might be the case). I am also starting to see signage in the Toledo, Dayton, and Cincinnati, OH market areas indicating that any variable card purchases over $2000 must be completed at the customer service desk. This also goes for one store in the northern KY market.

Sad to see so many people getting hamstrung with these limits. I guess you didn't do your homework.

Are you saying you know of a way to earn fuel points for buying V/MC/AMEX gift cards? Or are you referring to something else?

I think they are referring to the new $2000 limit that has been implemented in some stores.

Does anyone know when the next 4x is going to happen (which doesn't involve restaurant and movies)?

They usually do one in March around spring break.

What the memo says
 

I read the memo today at my new favorite Ralphs and it clearly states that any gift card purchase over $2000 (including fees) is cash only. The register did not prevent my last purchase of $2000 + fees, but the manager made sure I came in at $1999 including the fees. If only every store manager could read as well as she can.

^+1

Does the memo say how many purchases (of up o $1999 each) you can make per day, or per visit?

My local Ralph's had the memo posted at the checkout lines today. I don't hold the OBC or the WF 5x card (yet), but I was popping in to clear out my Freedom 1st Quarter. Only needed $500, but definitely puts a damper on my WF 5x aspirations.

See post 566: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24267472-post566.html

And keep in mind that as of now, it's very YMMV and even YCMV (C=cashier).

I bought $5k of VGC on Saturday in a suburb of Dallas, so its really up to the cashier knowing the policy. It's totally YMMV and I always take more than 4 to see what I can get away with. The ones by me in Uptown Dallas always claim the $2k policy now (it used to be $1500).

so per current policy, 4 cards at $500 each is ok, right?

the limit doesn't include the fee.

Technically the limit does include the fee, but you just have to experiment. Some cashiers enforce the 2k limit including fees, some allow 2k not including fees and other allow any amount. The only way to find out is to experiment.