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]
Jan 17, 2018, 3:05 pm
#1353
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX-HNL-TYO
Programs: ANA PLATINUM,HYATT GLOBALIST, AA PLATINUM FOR LIFE, UNITED SILVER, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT TITANIUM
Posts: 606
Jan 17, 2018, 3:05 pm
#1354
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX-HNL-TYO
Programs: ANA PLATINUM,HYATT GLOBALIST, AA PLATINUM FOR LIFE, UNITED SILVER, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT TITANIUM
Posts: 606
How did the test go?[/QUOTE]
Jan 17, 2018, 3:37 pm
#1356
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Yes, USPS still lives on as a crippled zombie haunting rural areas. Anyone feeding this poor child of Marie Laveau a SunTrust debit? This escapee from a George Romero film may also eat a UFB debit, but the bank says won't give miles for USPS transactions.
Jan 18, 2018, 12:19 am
#1357
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX-HNL-TYO
Programs: ANA PLATINUM,HYATT GLOBALIST, AA PLATINUM FOR LIFE, UNITED SILVER, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT TITANIUM
Posts: 606
Jan 21, 2018, 9:31 am
#1360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
Perhaps the only nationwide way. (Tho it apparently only works at some, not all, Walmarts these days.)
Ie, Walmart and the Post Office are nationwide. Most other places you can buy MOs (whether they allow GCs or not) are not nationwide.
So there may be something near you, but you have to find it yourself, because there's not likely someone else in the same place as you who's going to publish what works near you.
Start by figuring out what places near you sell money orders at all, and then figure out if any of them accept gift cards for money orders.
Ie, Walmart and the Post Office are nationwide. Most other places you can buy MOs (whether they allow GCs or not) are not nationwide.
So there may be something near you, but you have to find it yourself, because there's not likely someone else in the same place as you who's going to publish what works near you.
Start by figuring out what places near you sell money orders at all, and then figure out if any of them accept gift cards for money orders.
Jan 21, 2018, 9:32 am
#1361
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 34
Perhaps the only nationwide way. (Tho it apparently only works at some, not all, Walmarts these days.)
Ie, Walmart and the Post Office are nationwide. Most other places you can buy MOs (whether they allow GCs or not) are not nationwide.
So there may be something near you, but you have to find it yourself, because there's not likely someone else in the same place as you who's going to publish what works near you.
Ie, Walmart and the Post Office are nationwide. Most other places you can buy MOs (whether they allow GCs or not) are not nationwide.
So there may be something near you, but you have to find it yourself, because there's not likely someone else in the same place as you who's going to publish what works near you.
Jan 21, 2018, 11:22 am
#1362
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Not really; you may have to check the grocery stores and gas stations near you that sell MO. They have different fees and max limit of MO, some will accept debit while others are strictly cash only.
I was in another town and wanted to drain my SimonGCs and was in line next to a guy who was buying $875.xx MO. There was a commotion since the cashier asked for his ID, occupation and wanted him to input his SSN. He questioned this since he was always buying MO of this amount and none of this requirements. He was told by cashier that is coming from MoneyGram. I inched my way out of there while the guy asked for a supervisor to clarify this 'new' policy. At the WM a few blocks away, it was BAU, I don't know where all these weird policies are coming from but I'm glad that it does not affect all WMs. I don't ask, just leave quietly if I don't agree with a 'new policy' so as not to draw attention to me.
I was in another town and wanted to drain my SimonGCs and was in line next to a guy who was buying $875.xx MO. There was a commotion since the cashier asked for his ID, occupation and wanted him to input his SSN. He questioned this since he was always buying MO of this amount and none of this requirements. He was told by cashier that is coming from MoneyGram. I inched my way out of there while the guy asked for a supervisor to clarify this 'new' policy. At the WM a few blocks away, it was BAU, I don't know where all these weird policies are coming from but I'm glad that it does not affect all WMs. I don't ask, just leave quietly if I don't agree with a 'new policy' so as not to draw attention to me.
Mar 28, 2018, 8:58 am
#1365
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 766
Keep in mind that these usually trigger a security block and you have to call in and provide them with a code they text to you. Process is cumbersome and takes 10-15 minutes to unblock each time.
