Jan 2, 2017, 9:18 pm
Last edit by: Travelz
This is a new thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
READ the posts in this thread before asking questions. Many have already been answered.
10k per day limit including fees - must fill out a form (use cards as a budget tool or whatever you want to put)
Check the Simon website for locations.
VGC issued by meta for 3.95 - Count your cards before you leave the mall
When ordering online, Simon uses GCM.
READ the posts in this thread before asking questions. Many have already been answered.
10k per day limit including fees - must fill out a form (use cards as a budget tool or whatever you want to put)
Check the Simon website for locations.
VGC issued by meta for 3.95 - Count your cards before you leave the mall
When ordering online, Simon uses GCM.
Simon Mall Gift Cards(2017-2018)
Apr 2, 2017, 8:52 pm
#256
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 498
The fine print on every Amex bonus offer clearly states that the purchase of cash equivalents does not count towards the minimum spend for a bonus. Specifically they say:
THE FOLLOWING CHARGES DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT: FEES OR INTEREST CHARGES; BALANCE TRANSFERS; CASH ADVANCES; PURCHASES OF TRAVELERS CHECKS; PURCHASES OR RELOADING OF PREPAID CARDS; OR PURCHASES OF OTHER CASH EQUIVALENTS.
The worst part is they disqualify your spend after the period is over so you have no way to get the bonus via normal spend. In other words, you lose.
THE FOLLOWING CHARGES DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE THRESHOLD AMOUNT: FEES OR INTEREST CHARGES; BALANCE TRANSFERS; CASH ADVANCES; PURCHASES OF TRAVELERS CHECKS; PURCHASES OR RELOADING OF PREPAID CARDS; OR PURCHASES OF OTHER CASH EQUIVALENTS.
The worst part is they disqualify your spend after the period is over so you have no way to get the bonus via normal spend. In other words, you lose.
Apr 3, 2017, 10:07 am
#257
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 41
I am not saying you should put all of your spending through MS, but I wouldn't worry about throwing some in there if everything else is legit.
Apr 3, 2017, 10:10 pm
#258
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
Find me a single data point of it not working purely for MS reasons. There is always an issue of using a non targeted link or something else mixed in.
I am not saying you should put all of your spending through MS, but I wouldn't worry about throwing some in there if everything else is legit.
I am not saying you should put all of your spending through MS, but I wouldn't worry about throwing some in there if everything else is legit.
Apr 4, 2017, 5:39 pm
#260
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
I think what they meant was that those T&Cs are on most if not all credit card T&Cs, not just AmEx, and not just the minimum spend offers. No one has ever disputed the T&Cs prohibit such actions. It's always been a question of whether or not it's enforced, and if so, what conditions lead to them enforcing it.
From what I've read, it appears to be primarily restricted to those that signed up through links that they shouldn't have. If there are DPs of people having sign up bonuses clawed back, and they didn't do any crazy MS (no transactions of $5k+ to get the 1.5x bonus), then I'd be very interested in seeing them.
From what I've read, it appears to be primarily restricted to those that signed up through links that they shouldn't have. If there are DPs of people having sign up bonuses clawed back, and they didn't do any crazy MS (no transactions of $5k+ to get the 1.5x bonus), then I'd be very interested in seeing them.
Apr 5, 2017, 7:43 am
#261
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: South Florida, USA
Posts: 184
I think what they meant was that those T&Cs are on most if not all credit card T&Cs, not just AmEx, and not just the minimum spend offers. No one has ever disputed the T&Cs prohibit such actions. It's always been a question of whether or not it's enforced, and if so, what conditions lead to them enforcing it.
From what I've read, it appears to be primarily restricted to those that signed up through links that they shouldn't have. If there are DPs of people having sign up bonuses clawed back, and they didn't do any crazy MS (no transactions of $5k+ to get the 1.5x bonus), then I'd be very interested in seeing them.
From what I've read, it appears to be primarily restricted to those that signed up through links that they shouldn't have. If there are DPs of people having sign up bonuses clawed back, and they didn't do any crazy MS (no transactions of $5k+ to get the 1.5x bonus), then I'd be very interested in seeing them.
Apr 5, 2017, 9:04 am
#262
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Find me a single data point of it not working purely for MS reasons. There is always an issue of using a non targeted link or something else mixed in.
I am not saying you should put all of your spending through MS, but I wouldn't worry about throwing some in there if everything else is legit.
I am not saying you should put all of your spending through MS, but I wouldn't worry about throwing some in there if everything else is legit.
Particularly interesting is a case originally posted on reddit - the guy got all his previous bonuses on various AMEX in house cards invoked, except one which was the one he did not MS to earn bonus, the rest were all involved some degree of MS.
You certainly can comb thru the thread in AMEX forum to find yourself the data. Nobody needs to prove this to you.
Apr 5, 2017, 9:06 am
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
I think, like most other things in life, common sense provides a good guideline. For example, if you get a new Platinum Amex that has a 10k spend for bonus, and then you proceed to have your first two transactions each be $5,039.50 at Simon, then you should expect a higher level of scrutiny from Amex if (when?) it comes to their attention.
Apr 5, 2017, 2:12 pm
#264
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 41
There are data buried in the long running locked thread, you can go find it yourself.
Particularly interesting is a case originally posted on reddit - the guy got all his previous bonuses on various AMEX in house cards invoked, except one which was the one he did not MS to earn bonus, the rest were all involved some degree of MS.
You certainly can comb thru the thread in AMEX forum to find yourself the data. Nobody needs to prove this to you.
Particularly interesting is a case originally posted on reddit - the guy got all his previous bonuses on various AMEX in house cards invoked, except one which was the one he did not MS to earn bonus, the rest were all involved some degree of MS.
You certainly can comb thru the thread in AMEX forum to find yourself the data. Nobody needs to prove this to you.
Apr 5, 2017, 6:29 pm
#265
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 291
The MB Plat bonus increase last June was a public promo and guess what, my cousin got the bonus clawed back because he MSed 1k out of the 3k (IIRC) requirement. His Plat bonus was not clawed back because it was all organic spend. I reported this on the Amex thread a few months ago.
My point is: be careful even if you used the public link, guys. I would not MS on Amex MR cards for the bonus. Common sense goes a long way in this game.
My point is: be careful even if you used the public link, guys. I would not MS on Amex MR cards for the bonus. Common sense goes a long way in this game.
Apr 5, 2017, 6:59 pm
#266
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 41
The MB Plat bonus increase last June was a public promo and guess what, my cousin got the bonus clawed back because he MSed 1k out of the 3k (IIRC) requirement. His Plat bonus was not clawed back because it was all organic spend. I reported this on the Amex thread a few months ago.
My point is: be careful even if you used the public link, guys. I would not MS on Amex MR cards for the bonus. Common sense goes a long way in this game.
My point is: be careful even if you used the public link, guys. I would not MS on Amex MR cards for the bonus. Common sense goes a long way in this game.
Well then I have MSed way more (and more recently) for sign up bonuses and cross my fingers but I have not been clawed back. So I am not sure what the difference is.
I will take this as the first data point I have seen although based on mine and many other experiences with a grain of salt until it becomes more common.
Apr 5, 2017, 10:53 pm
#267
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
I'm about to do my first MS and am planning on using SM GCs. I see a form is referenced here several times. What is the form? What is on it? Does everyone need to fill it out or is there some spending threshold? Finally, is there anything I need to know about the form like always wring XXX for field YYY?
Apr 6, 2017, 1:16 am
#268
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
I'm about to do my first MS and am planning on using SM GCs. I see a form is referenced here several times. What is the form? What is on it? Does everyone need to fill it out or is there some spending threshold? Finally, is there anything I need to know about the form like always wring XXX for field YYY?
Apr 6, 2017, 5:39 am
#269
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
I'm about to do my first MS and am planning on using SM GCs. I see a form is referenced here several times. What is the form? What is on it? Does everyone need to fill it out or is there some spending threshold? Finally, is there anything I need to know about the form like always wring XXX for field YYY?
Apr 6, 2017, 7:30 am
#270
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 782
I've never filled it out, but many report writing "budgeting" as the reason for purchasing that many GCs. I think some may have even written MS...I could go either way. If you're ever investigated, having written MS shows you're not trying to hide anything. Budgeting is probably the more "acceptable" answer though.