Jan 31, 2017, 9:50 pm
Last edit by: shdflyer
11/3/17: The vast majority of popular prepaid debit cards are now blocked via a register hardcode at most locations.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
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 receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
This is the thread for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
Newbies: READ for days and learn before trying. It is best to know what you are doing, so start slow. Refer to cards as "Debit" not gc.
"Money orders can be purchased at any Post Office™ location.
Pay for your money order with cash, debit card, or traveler’s checks."
Fees:
$0.01 to $500.00: $1.20
$500.01 to $1,000.00: $1.60
Most post offices allow split payment (multiple debit cards) for one money order up to a max of $1000.
Example of how to split payment:
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 receipt prints.
4. Swipe 2nd card, enter pin.
5. Done.
Note: If you encounter a problem with the second card and have to cancel the transaction, it can be very difficult to recover your funds on the first card. Always have a back-up payment method available (bank debit card or cash).
GC Information: The fine print on the back of the package shows the bank issuer. Don't buy GCs with tampered packaging and always use cards ASAP.
Visa OneVanilla and Vanilla GC issued by Bancorp work at PO.
Visa/MC Gift Cards issued by MetaBank have not had any success at MOST USPS anywhere in the country since around September 2016.
These will NOT work if the clerk uses a touchscreen
These MAY work, and often do, at small, rural post offices where clerks do not have touch screens.
Visa Gift Cards from Walmart issued by Green Dot have stopped working for MO purchases for some.
GAME MOSTLY OVER, MOST USPO are HARD CODED to NOT ACCEPT NON BANK DEBIT CARDS
Exception seems to be small, rural post offices where clerks do not use touch screens.
Buy MO's at Post Office(2017-2018)[Gift Cards no Longer Allowed]
Mar 20, 2017, 5:20 pm
#377
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 527
You mean they ask you for the info and they fill it in at the counter ?
Mar 21, 2017, 10:47 am
#382
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
Mar 21, 2017, 1:20 pm
#383
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
You can buy various cruise gift cards with the Metas and use the cards to book a cruise or settle your final bill. That is assuming you are stuck with a thousand in or two in Metas. Unspent gift card balances are returned as a credit to the credit card you used to register for the cruise when boarding. Dunno how I would know that. 
Mar 22, 2017, 2:16 am
#386
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SF
Programs: SPG PLT, Hilton Diamond, AS MVP 75k,
Posts: 43
You can buy various cruise gift cards with the Metas and use the cards to book a cruise or settle your final bill. That is assuming you are stuck with a thousand in or two in Metas. Unspent gift card balances are returned as a credit to the credit card you used to register for the cruise when boarding. Dunno how I would know that.
Mar 22, 2017, 6:51 am
#387
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
Another DP for Chicago:
I was in the loop, so I went to a different post office than the one I usually visit. It's the location on Dearborn & Ohio. I asked for a MO for $498.80 and the clerk asked how I was paying. I said "debit card" and she asked to see the card. She took one look at the card and said "nope, you aren't coming through my line using that." I explained that it's just a debit card and uses a PIN. Definitely the rudest USPS clerk I've ever encountered. Even the people at the DMV are nicer.
I went to the USPS location in Merchandise Mart a few blocks away and had no issues.
I was in the loop, so I went to a different post office than the one I usually visit. It's the location on Dearborn & Ohio. I asked for a MO for $498.80 and the clerk asked how I was paying. I said "debit card" and she asked to see the card. She took one look at the card and said "nope, you aren't coming through my line using that." I explained that it's just a debit card and uses a PIN. Definitely the rudest USPS clerk I've ever encountered. Even the people at the DMV are nicer.
I went to the USPS location in Merchandise Mart a few blocks away and had no issues.
Mar 22, 2017, 7:58 am
#389
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
wel if you had read the wiki you would know that certain types of cards simply dont work at the PO any more.
But since that is way too much to ask, I guess you should just continue to post DPs that no one wants.
But since that is way too much to ask, I guess you should just continue to post DPs that no one wants.
Mar 22, 2017, 8:15 am
#390
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA
Posts: 312
Sure enough. Should have checked. Thanks for pointing it out so nicely.
Last edited by tcook052; Mar 22, 2017 at 11:10 am Reason: snark