Simon mall gift card(2014-2015)
Aug 21, 2015, 9:00 am
#1651
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Speak for yourself on the trolling. You attacked me for posting a memo to help the board in squashing any thought that AGC was allowed by corporate. You then said corporate would be upset which is complete baloney coming from a low-level Simon employee such as yourself that is new to MS. Again, people post policies all the time on this forum which your were ignorant to. You have stated I post useful information, yet you attacked me for posting the policy for the benefit of the board because your ego on AGC usage was bruised. Hilariously....sad. (mic dropped)
Aug 21, 2015, 9:09 am
#1652
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Go full $2k or consider even going the max $10k if you are comfortable with filling out the form. You want to maximize your time MSing which involves getting the highest amount possible (again, amount you are comfortable with) I disagree that it matters if the CSR recognizes you or not. I'm always running into new CSRs across DFW and they never bat an eye on $10k/$20k purchases. If you get a fraud warning, just step aside and call the fraud desk to clear up. CSRs are more likely to remember you negatively if your card gets denied and then you walk away, because they then have to destroy the cards.
Aug 21, 2015, 10:17 am
#1653
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 116
Go full $2k or consider even going the max $10k if you are comfortable with filling out the form. You want to maximize your time MSing which involves getting the highest amount possible (again, amount you are comfortable with) I disagree that it matters if the CSR recognizes you or not. I'm always running into new CSRs across DFW and they never bat an eye on $10k/$20k purchases. If you get a fraud warning, just step aside and call the fraud desk to clear up. CSRs are more likely to remember you negatively if your card gets denied and then you walk away, because they then have to destroy the cards.
Aug 21, 2015, 10:19 am
#1654
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Marriott Gold, UA Gold
Posts: 71
Go full $2k or consider even going the max $10k if you are comfortable with filling out the form. You want to maximize your time MSing which involves getting the highest amount possible (again, amount you are comfortable with) I disagree that it matters if the CSR recognizes you or not. I'm always running into new CSRs across DFW and they never bat an eye on $10k/$20k purchases. If you get a fraud warning, just step aside and call the fraud desk to clear up. CSRs are more likely to remember you negatively if your card gets denied and then you walk away, because they then have to destroy the cards.
Aug 21, 2015, 10:32 am
#1655
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
Does anyone know how often they get re stocked on cards? I went to my local mall yesterday to pick up my usual $2k and the guy I always buy from said they were totally out of VGCs having gone through "over 700" that day. In theory I suppose that's possible but that kinda volume seems crazy to me. I'm going to go back today after work and see if they have more in stock yet but I'm curious if this was a polite way to try to cut off MS....
Aug 21, 2015, 12:05 pm
#1656
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Not true. Its a YMMV situation. I've had two cards in the past year with Chase that immediately I was able to purchase $10k on. I even did multiple $10ks that first day.
Aug 21, 2015, 12:12 pm
#1657
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Does anyone know how often they get re stocked on cards? I went to my local mall yesterday to pick up my usual $2k and the guy I always buy from said they were totally out of VGCs having gone through "over 700" that day. In theory I suppose that's possible but that kinda volume seems crazy to me. I'm going to go back today after work and see if they have more in stock yet but I'm curious if this was a polite way to try to cut off MS....
I also don't believe they went through 700 that day based on how long it takes to process 20 GCs. We have a story somewhere on this thread where CSRs like to embellish.
Aug 21, 2015, 12:30 pm
#1658
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
Don't have an exact answer for you. Maybe Mr. Manual guy can help..... All I can tell you is that unless your mall is the exception, they don't get restocked on weekends. Thus, I try to avoid Sundays and/or call in advance to ensure there is enough stock. When phoning, be sure to specify Visa as that was one of my early day fails (wasted a trip as they only had 2 Visas left).
I also don't believe they went through 700 that day based on how long it takes to process 20 GCs. We have a story somewhere on this thread where CSRs like to embellish.
I also don't believe they went through 700 that day based on how long it takes to process 20 GCs. We have a story somewhere on this thread where CSRs like to embellish.
Aug 21, 2015, 2:44 pm
#1659
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
You can liquidate over a few days and prevent going back to get more cards just to go find a place to liquidate.
I agree with Goblin by saving time. Why go the scenic, convoluted route when there is a direct path!?!? @:-)
Last edited by Chelski; Aug 21, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Aug 21, 2015, 6:22 pm
#1660
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
While I agree with you 100% in general as far as not arguing and making a scene, something to consider; my last ~5 new Simon Malls I've visited as an unknown new customer to their location, the person staffing the desk has made up their own variation of some rule. Anywhere from $3,000 limit no exceptions, to $500 limit no exceptions, no split payments, to a few others. After pressing them (politely) to check their Simon corporate manual to verify the stated rules ($10,000 limit/6 swipes), and even asking to speak to the Office Administrator/Marketing Manager when they still wouldn't budge, the issue has always magically resolved itself. So, YMMV.
Of course, be very polite if you have to press the issue.
Of course, be very polite if you have to press the issue.
Aug 21, 2015, 7:00 pm
#1661
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 48
Help me understand this
Basically you're netting 500 pts/miles for 3 bucks, am I understanding this correct?
I do a good amount of MS at OS stores with my Ink plus and it seems Simon Mall would net me the same amount of points for about the same price.
I do a good amount of MS at OS stores with my Ink plus and it seems Simon Mall would net me the same amount of points for about the same price.
Aug 21, 2015, 7:01 pm
#1662
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
700*$500 = $350k
One store, not SM, told me that they sold $125k in Gebits regularly to a single person. He claimed the guy comes in and just tears all the cards open. I don't know if the shift manager/supervisor was yanking my chain, but that's what he said. I'm gonna go in and try $25k sometime soon.
Aug 22, 2015, 7:58 am
#1664
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Lifetime Platinum, MR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 249
Edited to include VGC purchase cost
Last edited by kenme1; Aug 23, 2015 at 7:25 am
Aug 22, 2015, 12:21 pm
#1665
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
At SM, $3.95 gets you a $500 GC, which nets you 500 points
The cost per point is:
3.95 dollars divided by 500 points
which is:
395 cents divided by 500 points
which is:
0.79 cents per point