What do you do with gift cards after you load them?
Oct 13, 2015, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
What do you do with gift cards after you load them?
I'm new to the MS game and I've done about $6k so far with VGC and Serve. What do you do with your gift cards and receipts when you're done loading? I've been keeping all mine just in case, so I have a bag with a dozen cards and receipts in it. But once the money shows up on your Serve account, which is instant, is there any reason to hold onto anything? Do you just shred them when you get home?
Oct 13, 2015, 12:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Hand them out to bums at traffic stops, casually drop them in parking lots and hide to see what would happen, up to your imagination.
You always want to scan and organize all MS related receipts and keep a running tab of all transactions, in case anyone from irs has questions. The physical plastic is useless after you spend it.
You always want to scan and organize all MS related receipts and keep a running tab of all transactions, in case anyone from irs has questions. The physical plastic is useless after you spend it.
Last edited by littlewinglet; Oct 13, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Oct 13, 2015, 1:20 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 348
As previously discussed, you may find some answers here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ceipts-ms.html
Oct 13, 2015, 1:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 887
I'm sure you've seen me in parking lots outside your store. I just need a few bucks cash to put gas in my vehicle to get back home to my pregnant girlfriend...... and I can ASSURE you this here plastic has some money on it.
One born every minute!
Seriously... see the old thread. I'm in the camp that fills up an envelope and marks it with the month and year. All the envelopes go in a shoebox. Just in case.
One born every minute!
Seriously... see the old thread. I'm in the camp that fills up an envelope and marks it with the month and year. All the envelopes go in a shoebox. Just in case.
Last edited by ElPresidente; Oct 13, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Oct 13, 2015, 2:10 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
Just read all of the old thread linked above. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
Definitely some good info there. I'll probably just keep holding onto my cards and receipts since it really doesn't cost me anything (time/energy/space).
Definitely some good info there. I'll probably just keep holding onto my cards and receipts since it really doesn't cost me anything (time/energy/space).
Oct 13, 2015, 2:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 467
I'm new to the game as well and wondering if you could load a Serve account with reloadable gift cards? I think I may have lucked into a pretty sweet deal through a local credit union that's offering prepaid reloadable Visa cards for a low one-time fee with a pretty high max. limit. The cost to reload is only $1 with unlimited (from my understanding) capacity. I'm not sure as of yet whether it codes as a purchase or cash advance, but it can definitely be funded by a credit card. I'm planning to try it out this week, but I'd like to understand what to do with the funds on the card after it's loaded. How would I transfer the balance back to my Visa in order to refuel the "manufactured spending" and then repeat the transaction? Is Serve the best way to go for this? I don't think I'm able to pay off my Chase card directly with the reloadable prepaid card so presumably I'd need to find some sort of buffer or inbetween to feed the card balance through. I'd really appreciate any advice or pointers!
Dec 29, 2015, 1:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
Found a great new use for these when decorating the Christmas tree...
1. Use a hole punch to put a nice, clean hole in every card once it's been drained (you can pick up a nice, strong hole punch at your favorite office supply store - be sure to use your Ink card - be sure to get a good, durable one, some hole punchers designed for paper will break after just a few uses on a plastic card).
2. Using string, colorful yarn, or other string-like material (sparkly Christmas garland works nicely), thread the string through the holes in the cards. Be sure to use knots or other method to space the cards out every inch or two - you need to keep the cards from sliding around.
3. Decorate your holiday shrub with your used gebit card "garland".
4. Sit back with an eggnog, dream of the places you will go, and admire your handiwork.
Happy Holidays all!
1. Use a hole punch to put a nice, clean hole in every card once it's been drained (you can pick up a nice, strong hole punch at your favorite office supply store - be sure to use your Ink card - be sure to get a good, durable one, some hole punchers designed for paper will break after just a few uses on a plastic card).
2. Using string, colorful yarn, or other string-like material (sparkly Christmas garland works nicely), thread the string through the holes in the cards. Be sure to use knots or other method to space the cards out every inch or two - you need to keep the cards from sliding around.
3. Decorate your holiday shrub with your used gebit card "garland".
4. Sit back with an eggnog, dream of the places you will go, and admire your handiwork.
Happy Holidays all!
Dec 29, 2015, 11:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: South Florida, USA
Posts: 184
Found a great new use for these when decorating the Christmas tree...
1. Use a hole punch to put a nice, clean hole in every card once it's been drained (you can pick up a nice, strong hole punch at your favorite office supply store - be sure to use your Ink card - be sure to get a good, durable one, some hole punchers designed for paper will break after just a few uses on a plastic card).
2. Using string, colorful yarn, or other string-like material (sparkly Christmas garland works nicely), thread the string through the holes in the cards. Be sure to use knots or other method to space the cards out every inch or two - you need to keep the cards from sliding around.
3. Decorate your holiday shrub with your used gebit card "garland".
4. Sit back with an eggnog, dream of the places you will go, and admire your handiwork.
Happy Holidays all!
1. Use a hole punch to put a nice, clean hole in every card once it's been drained (you can pick up a nice, strong hole punch at your favorite office supply store - be sure to use your Ink card - be sure to get a good, durable one, some hole punchers designed for paper will break after just a few uses on a plastic card).
2. Using string, colorful yarn, or other string-like material (sparkly Christmas garland works nicely), thread the string through the holes in the cards. Be sure to use knots or other method to space the cards out every inch or two - you need to keep the cards from sliding around.
3. Decorate your holiday shrub with your used gebit card "garland".
4. Sit back with an eggnog, dream of the places you will go, and admire your handiwork.
Happy Holidays all!
... and even a durable hole puncher would wear out. Heh heh.
Dec 29, 2015, 11:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,353
Dec 31, 2015, 10:26 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 322
The problem with keeping used up cards is, you keep doubting whether you have unloaded it or not and might end up checking the balance. If it is used, I would toss up after sometime, of course keep the receipt , unless you are very good at organizing stuff.