Bay Area MS Thread
Sep 8, 2016, 10:41 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
Sep 10, 2016, 4:36 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 8
Hi All,
I'm new to all of this, but have been reading and researching a lot the last few days. I live in the bay area and tried WM at 2 locations that failed. On my third attempt, I was able to find a place that will do it with no questions asked, so gold mines are definitely out there. I was able to do 3gs just today. I'm probably going to take it easy and just do it for my mileage points so it doesn't get flagged.
I'm new to all of this, but have been reading and researching a lot the last few days. I live in the bay area and tried WM at 2 locations that failed. On my third attempt, I was able to find a place that will do it with no questions asked, so gold mines are definitely out there. I was able to do 3gs just today. I'm probably going to take it easy and just do it for my mileage points so it doesn't get flagged.
Sep 11, 2016, 1:49 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Mountain View, CA (near SJC and SFO)
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, and no status whatsoever on the airlines (!)
Posts: 468
Yep, chalk this up to yet another charming, er, quirk of the Bay Area.
Last few days, I confirmed that...
- My local post office no longer will accept VGCs for MOs.
- Raley's / Nob Hill: same thing ("Gotta have your name on it" "But... but... my nickname is Gift Card, every since I was a little boy!" No, she did not even crack a smile.)
And Safeway stopped accepting VGCs for MOs months ago.
Maybe there are exceptions. But it seems unlikely.
Last few days, I confirmed that...
- My local post office no longer will accept VGCs for MOs.
- Raley's / Nob Hill: same thing ("Gotta have your name on it" "But... but... my nickname is Gift Card, every since I was a little boy!" No, she did not even crack a smile.)
And Safeway stopped accepting VGCs for MOs months ago.
Maybe there are exceptions. But it seems unlikely.
Sep 11, 2016, 8:17 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Meh - Texas thrives on diversity. Last company I worked for down there was more diverse than the UN. We had people from all over the globe, and even a few from other planets, like California.
Sep 11, 2016, 10:20 am
#50
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
You know what they say in Texas... "There's a rump for every saddle." Except they don't say rump.
Sep 12, 2016, 11:34 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SJC
Programs: Spire Amb IHG, HH Gold, TR Diamond, Mlife Plat, National Exec, Avis Pref Plus
Posts: 144
Hi All,
I'm new to all of this, but have been reading and researching a lot the last few days. I live in the bay area and tried WM at 2 locations that failed. On my third attempt, I was able to find a place that will do it with no questions asked, so gold mines are definitely out there. I was able to do 3gs just today. I'm probably going to take it easy and just do it for my mileage points so it doesn't get flagged.
I'm new to all of this, but have been reading and researching a lot the last few days. I live in the bay area and tried WM at 2 locations that failed. On my third attempt, I was able to find a place that will do it with no questions asked, so gold mines are definitely out there. I was able to do 3gs just today. I'm probably going to take it easy and just do it for my mileage points so it doesn't get flagged.
Sep 12, 2016, 4:51 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
Sep 15, 2016, 1:52 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 8
Sep 15, 2016, 4:31 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 827
To put things in perspective, the VGCs were done at Walgreens with a CC. I liquidated at a relatively small and obscure local PO near my house in San Jose. The lady even asked me if I was doing it for the mileage. I looked at her and with the slightest smile said that I needed to send my mother money. I then proceeded to ask her what her favorite jamba juice was because I always get an extra one with my jamba juice coupons. And since she's been really nice and helpful, I offered to give her one next time which she gladly obliged. I think I got a keeper here in regards to the gold mine.
Sep 15, 2016, 10:29 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 1,304
Curious on the location of this PO. Care to share?
To put things in perspective, the VGCs were done at Walgreens with a CC. I liquidated at a relatively small and obscure local PO near my house in San Jose. The lady even asked me if I was doing it for the mileage. I looked at her and with the slightest smile said that I needed to send my mother money. I then proceeded to ask her what her favorite jamba juice was because I always get an extra one with my jamba juice coupons. And since she's been really nice and helpful, I offered to give her one next time which she gladly obliged. I think I got a keeper here in regards to the gold mine.
Sep 17, 2016, 6:23 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Sep 18, 2016, 12:47 am
#60
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Nugget Markets and Raleys in the past couple months seem to have posted a "no credit cards allowed when buying gift cards" policy. Nugget does waive it if you are buying a Nugget gift card. Small denominations at both so... not so much of a loss?