Future of MS
Aug 1, 2014, 1:04 am
#106
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
Bloggers have done way more to hurt the hobby than the thieves. If it was fraud that causes a store to say cash only, I'll just go to a different drugstore. A blog can kill whole deals. No more VR. No more HIGC. No more Evolve with a credit card. Etc..... That's why we have private forums and messaging now.
Aug 1, 2014, 6:31 am
#107
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
Now; when the day comes that you and I the consumers are saddled with the risk of fraud, then you might see a change, only because we will all become much more circumspect about using these instruments and the velocity will slow down....
Last edited by MileageAddict; Aug 1, 2014 at 7:31 am Reason: snark-rude comment removed
Aug 1, 2014, 7:32 am
#108
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,411
This article suggests that fraud and other crime could be a real problem for MS.
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/...=top-news&_r=0
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/...=top-news&_r=0
Aug 1, 2014, 2:44 pm
#109
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 | *$G
Posts: 1,428
no it doesnt... all it does is simplify how you load your MPs to your prepaid card... just like you could load Serve @ CVS. thats actually much better for MS.
Aug 1, 2014, 5:05 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: GEG
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime SkyClub, AS MVP
Posts: 2,411
Yes, it does. Did you read the article? Do you want the Feds to come crashing down on MS because of a crackdown on such cards?
Aug 1, 2014, 5:32 pm
#111
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
I read the article and wth are you talking about? get out of your fantasy doom and gloom scenario and start living in the real world. Feds could care less about MS when they have bigger fish to fry.
GD is only concerned about their bottom line. the move to electronic and immediate loading of your prepaid is great for MS, provided the retailer allows CC. no need to mess around with MPs (lost, stolen, fraud) or activation issues. thats the only thing that changes and is great.
GD is only concerned about their bottom line. the move to electronic and immediate loading of your prepaid is great for MS, provided the retailer allows CC. no need to mess around with MPs (lost, stolen, fraud) or activation issues. thats the only thing that changes and is great.
Sep 26, 2014, 8:45 pm
#112
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: WI
Posts: 181
The fact that the vast majority of stores that don't accept CC for GC do accept cash *or* debit leads me to believe that the added security of the PIN number is enough for most stores to be comfortable with the greatly reduced level of fraud risk involved. Assuming that fraud is the #1 reason for stores going cash/debit only, one would think that the imminent chip and pin transition would be good for this hobby. On the other hand, it's probably unlikely that any store that's already changed to cash/debit only would revisit this and start allowing credit cards again. Our 1970s-era mag stripe technology with absolutely no encryption has not been kind to MSing.
Sep 28, 2014, 6:55 am
#113
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
+1 from this fraud examiner. Another piece of our financial infrastructure built of glass, not steel. And don't get me started on the banks implementing chip and signature, which is just putting out fire with gasoline.
Sep 28, 2014, 7:33 am
#114
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL ILG
Posts: 87
FWIW yesterday I got two automated fraud phone calls for my MS purchases. I haven't had any from these two - ever. I would say the recent home depot breach is causing credit card companies to amp up their fraud detection systems.
It is slightly uncomfortable that my transactions are being flagged as fraudulent purchases - especially when it's just the MS ones.
It is slightly uncomfortable that my transactions are being flagged as fraudulent purchases - especially when it's just the MS ones.
Sep 28, 2014, 9:35 pm
#115
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 215
Oct 15, 2014, 9:43 am
#116
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL ILG
Posts: 87
MS avenues dying at a fast pace
Seems the popularity in this hobby is certainly growing. I must admit, I am a newcomer and I hope it stays under the radar but I was able to find out, why not others. Plus, I read posts about people MSing with low salaries or even college kids; certainly all income groups are attracted to this opportunity.
http://www.google.com/trends/explore...red%20Spending
I have "plans" and an Excel sheet detailing all of my future spending/liquidation strategies. So far, I've had to pull 3 methods from said sheet
http://www.google.com/trends/explore...red%20Spending
I have "plans" and an Excel sheet detailing all of my future spending/liquidation strategies. So far, I've had to pull 3 methods from said sheet