Mar 10, 2016, 10:21 am
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
This is an old thread including posts through the end of 2016. The discussion continues in the new thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1819025-buy-mo-s-post-office-2017-2018-gift-cards-no-longer-allowed-92.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1819025-buy-mo-s-post-office-2017-2018-gift-cards-no-longer-allowed-92.html
Buy MO's at Post Office[2016]
Sep 15, 2016, 11:44 am
#751
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Exec Plat Hilton Diamond Marriott Diamond Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 102
since googling is apparently really hard for people....
Regulated debit transactions have a maximum “interchange” cap as outlined in the Durbin Amendment, $0.22 plus 0.05% -- Yes they make money off of these, however, only usbank gc are regulated debits...
Unregulated debit transactions vary depending on the vendor accepting the debit card, and its tough to say what the post office would be, but most of the rates vary around 1.15% + $0.15 for unregulated pin debit transactions. Incase math is hard, on a 1K money order that's $11.65. Other categories might be slightly less than 1.15% but nothing was significant enough that it would change the statement that they are not making money off of our transactions. All of our giftcards, vanillas, metas, sunnies, etc, are unregulated.
Regulated debit transactions have a maximum “interchange” cap as outlined in the Durbin Amendment, $0.22 plus 0.05% -- Yes they make money off of these, however, only usbank gc are regulated debits...
Unregulated debit transactions vary depending on the vendor accepting the debit card, and its tough to say what the post office would be, but most of the rates vary around 1.15% + $0.15 for unregulated pin debit transactions. Incase math is hard, on a 1K money order that's $11.65. Other categories might be slightly less than 1.15% but nothing was significant enough that it would change the statement that they are not making money off of our transactions. All of our giftcards, vanillas, metas, sunnies, etc, are unregulated.
This is why WM cut-off usage of OVGC debit and not the other VGC products.
Remember, the USPS makes money on float, MO fees, and MO breakage. The float money orders isn't a lot of interest, but it does help significantly with their cash flow, reducing borrowing costs. I've been assured by contacts at USPS the activity we are doing is profitable for them - especially if you are using regulated debit VGC (anything other than OVC).
They only worry they really have is that of money laundering and fraud. Be transparent with your local USPS, make friends, and don't be evasive when they ask what you might be doing with all those MO.
Sep 15, 2016, 12:28 pm
#752
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
Got declined with MB VGC today, USBank MCGC worked fine, but something changed on the register. I don't see interim balance after swiping anymore. I was able to see it before.
Sep 15, 2016, 12:49 pm
#754
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
This sounds like something going on at their USPS processor. I've had the occasional OVC not work at all. From my conversations with my district USPS folks, these sound more like one-off issues rather than a systemwide change.
My contacts assure that they want to grow the MO business, not restrict it. That being said, INCOMM has caused many issues for USPS over the last month or so with processing issues.
My contacts assure that they want to grow the MO business, not restrict it. That being said, INCOMM has caused many issues for USPS over the last month or so with processing issues.
Based on your comments, you may be interested in this USPS report I referenced previously:
http://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default...-WP-16-007.pdf
Sep 15, 2016, 2:27 pm
#755
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 373
Just liquidated several MB VGCs from OM & Staples and a OneVanilla Visa from CVS in Sacramento.
Sep 15, 2016, 3:26 pm
#756
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Virginia
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG Plus, United, AA, WN
Posts: 17
MB VGC denial at noon
I stopped by the post office near my job on my lunch break today, and I was unable to purchase a MO with a MB VGC. The clerk told me it's a system issue as some people have had success paying today, while others haven't. Hopefully that is the case. I will try again on my lunch break tomorrow.
Sep 15, 2016, 4:00 pm
#757
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
I successfully used Simon cards at two POs in Northern NJ today. I go to one of them a lot for actually mailing stuff. Pretty sure two of the clerks there would put up with me using 200s as long as there is no line.
Sep 15, 2016, 4:13 pm
#758
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 325
I stopped by the post office near my job on my lunch break today, and I was unable to purchase a MO with a MB VGC. The clerk told me it's a system issue as some people have had success paying today, while others haven't. Hopefully that is the case. I will try again on my lunch break tomorrow.
Sep 15, 2016, 4:29 pm
#759
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
Multiple reports of success at previously denied locations (using same GC type) is what we need.
Sep 15, 2016, 7:00 pm
#760
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: All of them to one degree or another
Posts: 447
Sep 15, 2016, 8:05 pm
#761
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 27
Id put a very low probability of the OV being coded against "cash-like" purchases - it's in Bancorps interest to have the cards as widely accepted as possible. It has to be on the PO end. That said, I cant explain how one OV would work and the other wouldn't. Only things that come to mind are problems related to activation, or time since purchase (both of which sound N/A in your case).
Sep 15, 2016, 11:00 pm
#762
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 130
There are reports of some GC types working and others not at the same location. So unless the clerk is closely tracking each transaction type (i.e., bank card vs GC) and the type of GC used (Meta, Vanilla, Simon etc), this isn't useful.
Multiple reports of success at previously denied locations (using same GC type) is what we need.
Multiple reports of success at previously denied locations (using same GC type) is what we need.
Sep 16, 2016, 11:07 am
#763
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: PNW
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, WN CP
Posts: 130
Used Visa VGC for 2x1000 at location that it has previously worked at, near Baltimore MD. Was declined at a different location 3 days prior using same VVGCs.
Sep 16, 2016, 12:44 pm
#764
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
Didn't see a wiki, can't easily search 50+ pages, so --
Any special instructions to split tender two cards, e.g., $X on one card and $Y on a different card?
Any issues with using Simon GCs, issued by Metabank and distributed by Blackhawk?
Thanks.
Any special instructions to split tender two cards, e.g., $X on one card and $Y on a different card?
Any issues with using Simon GCs, issued by Metabank and distributed by Blackhawk?
Thanks.
Sep 16, 2016, 2:00 pm
#765
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
1. "One MO please for $998.40. Id like to pay with 2 debit cards, $500 on each."
2. Swipe first card and enter pin.
3. Remind teller that its "$500 on that card". They will change the amount on their screen to $500. Transaction goes through and a small recpt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.