Jan 6, 2016, 6:02 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
Simon mall gift cards(2016)
Jan 16, 2016, 12:25 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
Hmm. As of when? My most recent purchase was last weekend (Citi Visa) here in TX and posted as a purchase (not sure if it initially authorized as a CA, I never looked).
Jan 16, 2016, 1:40 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
YMMV?
Last edited by Chelski; Feb 3, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Jan 16, 2016, 1:40 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
YMMV?
Last edited by Chelski; Feb 3, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Jan 16, 2016, 1:56 pm
#111
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TPA
Programs: spg gold
Posts: 406
Just set your CA limit to $0 problem solved
Jan 16, 2016, 2:26 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
The transaction will then fail if it is indeed coded as Cash Advance. Seems this has already happened in SoCal. Friend had a failed transaction on a new Citi card - no fraud alert. Citi CSR said the merchant coded it as Cash Advance but since the card is a new one, the cash advance limit is only $500, much below what friend tried to buy. No authorization went thru.
The real issue is, Simon's as a friendly avenue may start to die, or already dead as being warned by someone in Post 77 of this thread but some arrogant folks poohed poohed the poster and dismissed the warning.
Last edited by Happy; Jan 16, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Jan 16, 2016, 2:35 pm
#113
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Midwest U.S.A
Programs: Too many to list. Since the early 90's.
Posts: 1,407
Further demise of ms. Between the ml paranoia induced regulatory atmosphere in this last 7 years, to GC sales dropping overall due to Serve/BB shutdowns, many points hobbyist are under attack and retailers suffer too.
MS'r Lives Matter.
MS'r Lives Matter.
Jan 16, 2016, 3:47 pm
#116
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
YMMV?
Last edited by Chelski; Feb 3, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Jan 16, 2016, 3:58 pm
#117
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,257
This is very bad news.
At my Simon Mall, one day in the past week, the counter where they sold GCs vanished overnight with no warning. On my next visit, a few days later, I see that gift cards are now sold through the mall office. That office is only open 9-5 weekdays. I'll manage that I suppose (not easily, though - hard to get there when they're only open during my workday). I note that at least one other FTer has posted that the same thing happened last week at his local mall (and that's not the same part of the country as me).
I am concerned that along with the Serve shutdown, Simon Malls may have made a decision to either exit the GC game entirely, or at least make it much harder for casual MSers (or, "gamers" as they call us). Changing things to post as a cash advance would certainly put an immediate end to it. If they did that, they would (rightly) conclude there would be a big drop-off in activity at the walk-up counter, and moving sales to the Mall Office would make sense (they probably laid off the guys working the counter).
We will soon see if the cash advance fees are widespread. In any case, I think we are seeing some strong signs that could indicate Simon has decided they don't want to be played any more.
January 2016 is shaping up to be one epic bad month for us...
Jan 16, 2016, 4:20 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Changing things to post as a cash advance would certainly put an immediate end to it. If they did that, they would (rightly) conclude there would be a big drop-off in activity at the walk-up counter, and moving sales to the Mall Office would make sense (they probably laid off the guys working the counter).
Friend in SoCal encountered Cash Advance coding on the exact same day happened to the OP who is in Southern FL - literally across the country. I would bet on that CA is going to roll out thru all Malls.
Jan 16, 2016, 4:28 pm
#119
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,257
The kiosk serves many other mall customers than GC purchasers. In every visit I saw other customers walk up for services - get a wheelchair, get a baby stroller, kids to spin the wheel for a token prize, buy venue tickets with the ticketmaster station, report lost wallets, keys, cars, you name it. So the folks who man the Kiosk would still be there. Just that GC sales may no longer be at the counter. But if the transaction is coded as CA, then all your worry of the inconvenient office hours is moot.
I'm starting to think The Golden Age of MS has ended.
Jan 16, 2016, 4:47 pm
#120
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 292
Agree on all your points, except: in my mall, the counter where gift cards were sold, and where all the other activity you describe does take place - that counter is physically gone - it was removed overnight some night in the last week. So somebody loses their keys, needs other services previously provided at the gift card counter - good luck: they now need to find the mall office (and they better not need anything outside of M-F 9-5 hours).
I'm starting to think The Golden Age of MS has ended.
I'm starting to think The Golden Age of MS has ended.