Jan 6, 2016, 6:02 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
Simon mall gift cards(2016)
Jul 28, 2016, 4:43 pm
#796
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
Card
It means that the Kate you tried to load at no longer works with ANY cards. Doesn't matter what kind. This is the norm now, and has been for months. Loading cards at the machine died for almost everyone quite a while back. If you can find a machine that still works with cards, count yourself lucky.
And, in other Breaking News, Ocean Still Wet, Politicians Still Dishonest. Video at 11.
And, in other Breaking News, Ocean Still Wet, Politicians Still Dishonest. Video at 11.
Jul 28, 2016, 4:50 pm
#797
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Yeah, that was clearly a POS receipt message, which is why I suggested changing the PIN. It usually seems to clear up that issue (although I'm speaking in past tense since my accounts were closed long ago).
Jul 29, 2016, 12:29 am
#798
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2
Is anyone ever fearful of buying a few thousand in VGCs and you can't turn them into MOs?
Jul 29, 2016, 2:32 am
#799
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Jul 29, 2016, 7:08 am
#800
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
The risk is not that you will not be able to recycle thousands in gift cards, but that will not be able to do so in a timely manner. Make sure you always have multiple places to buy gift cards, multiple places to buy money orders with gift cards and multiple places to deposit money orders. 
Jul 29, 2016, 1:00 pm
#801
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Midwest U.S.A
Programs: Too many to list. Since the early 90's.
Posts: 1,407
We never buy more than we can float if a problem arises. Must also have more than one liquidation route in case one suddenly vanishes. Risk management for sure. With so many routes gone, many are out of the ms hobby and onto buying/reselling products ("real spend") which has it's own set of risks.
Jul 29, 2016, 1:01 pm
#802
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
and never use money that you can't afford to float for 3 - 6 months (because things do go wrong and it can and does take that long to get it back - countless stories here of that happening). Don't gamble with your rent money.
Jul 30, 2016, 6:39 am
#803
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 90
Had a nice surprise at my Simon mall. For every $100 they provided a local restaurant gift card worth $25. Only one gift card per month. The CSR said that they frequently have VISA gift card promotions, so this is something that I am going to look into more frequently.
Jul 30, 2016, 9:51 am
#804
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Jul 31, 2016, 12:46 am
#805
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,449
I think the real issue some of the newbies get too many CC at once then they go hog wild. Those days are gone, get one or two cards at a time to be able to make your spend.
Jul 31, 2016, 9:02 am
#806
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Friendly warning to newbies who may have easy access to SMGCs. Know that MS routes are getting shutdown left and right so it's best to resist the urge to buy in bulk at $9.5K in one visit just to maximize your time and gas. The best/ideal strategy is to drain all of them as quickly as possible and pay your CCs. If you're not ahead and don't make plans A,B,C,D, etc to drain those VGCs so that if one avenue is shutdown, you still have other ways to drain your SMVGCs. Without options to drain or several thousands in your bank account/matress, you'll soon find yourselves in deep debt that can destroy your credit history in a blink, and possibly destroy relationships with loved ones.
Jul 31, 2016, 10:42 am
#807
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
+1^
Friendly warning to newbies who may have easy access to SMGCs. Know that MS routes are getting shutdown left and right so it's best to resist the urge to buy in bulk at $9.5K in one visit just to maximize your time and gas. The best/ideal strategy is to drain all of them as quickly as possible and pay your CCs. If you're not ahead and don't make plans A,B,C,D, etc to drain those VGCs so that if one avenue is shutdown, you still have other ways to drain your SMVGCs. Without options to drain or several thousands in your bank account/matress, you'll soon find yourselves in deep debt that can destroy your credit history in a blink, and possibly destroy relationships with loved ones.
Jul 31, 2016, 4:20 pm
#808
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,782
Jul 31, 2016, 5:36 pm
#809
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Jul 31, 2016, 7:04 pm
#810
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,470
Thanks to the inadequacies of Google in large part. I notice that many searches that are time sensitive result in tons of stale and outdated links. It doesn't happen in price and promo code searches. But Google is way behind in detecting other search areas that are also time sensitive.