Feb 3, 2017, 6:02 pm
Last edit by: ValueAdd82
This is the thread about the Five Back Visa card for 2017. The previous discussion can be found here.
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Simon sells $500 5back metabank vgc. Read the Simon thread for more details. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1812413-simon-mall-gift-cards-2017-a.html
Simon- Check balance: https://www.simon.com/giftcard/card_balance.aspx
FB - Check balance: https://www.fivebackgift.com/
Best Participating Stores: See the participating list for more stores
CVS - No longer working
Kmart - No longer working
Staples & Staples.com - No longer working
Lowes - Limited to buying $200 cards - more fees to pay and more to liquidate
CVS exit rumors appear: 1/9/17
CVS removed from program 1/20/17
KMart exit rumors appear: 2/2/17
KMart removed from program 2/7/17
Staples exit rumors appear: 4/26/17
Staples removed from program: 4/30/17
Lowes exit rumors appear: 5/11/17
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Simon sells $500 5back metabank vgc. Read the Simon thread for more details. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1812413-simon-mall-gift-cards-2017-a.html
Simon- Check balance: https://www.simon.com/giftcard/card_balance.aspx
FB - Check balance: https://www.fivebackgift.com/
Best Participating Stores: See the participating list for more stores
CVS - No longer working
Kmart - No longer working
Staples & Staples.com - No longer working
Lowes - Limited to buying $200 cards - more fees to pay and more to liquidate
CVS exit rumors appear: 1/9/17
CVS removed from program 1/20/17
KMart exit rumors appear: 2/2/17
KMart removed from program 2/7/17
Staples exit rumors appear: 4/26/17
Staples removed from program: 4/30/17
Lowes exit rumors appear: 5/11/17
Five Back Visa Card(2017)
Jan 18, 2017, 8:01 pm
#526
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Why would there be .70 cash? Couldn't I load it to go Bank for free? I have 15K in VGC because of FB deal going on which we won't see anything similar in near future. I have slowed down on getting MOs therefore there is a backlog. I'm able to get MOs from PO, I'm just thinking what if they suddenly stop it. I would like to drain this amount over a period of month.
the fact that you're aware that USPS can stop any moment should've made you seek other methods to drain your funds asap. many have said time and again that it is not wise to keep VGCs for a long time to avoid various complications like funds stolen by hackers or some tried and tested methods suddenly shut down. I wouldn't hoard VGCs for a month w/o definite plans of draining them asap, but that's just me. as long as you're comfortable with your plans, go for it.
Jan 18, 2017, 8:22 pm
#527
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 843
Sane advise MB, I was going to purchase some more VGC for next two days which I wont do and concentrate on draining the VGCs I have on hand which I can do in 2 weeks. Didn't think about hacking.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.
Last edited by Gitangali; Jan 18, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Jan 18, 2017, 8:36 pm
#528
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: United Gold (frmer. 1k and GS), AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 200
Sane advise MB, I was going to purchase some more VGC for next two days which I wont do and concentrate on draining the VGCs I have on hand which I can do in 2 weeks. Didn't think about hacking.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
Jan 18, 2017, 8:49 pm
#529
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Or you could use Vanilla @ Walgreens or Safeway to buy USB MC variable up to $500 and drain at PO. You'd have to eat the fees but still working for me in getting rid of all my MetaBank VGCs. Some unsuspecting cashiers can let you get away with 5+ swipes on a single transaction.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
Jan 18, 2017, 8:52 pm
#530
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: United Gold (frmer. 1k and GS), AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 200
Jan 18, 2017, 9:08 pm
#531
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
The Simon rep showed me the memo, the wording was "after 20th" CVS will no longer participate, something to that effect. As of now I have 15K worth of Vanillas, which I will drain at PO over time. Any backup to PO, in case the PO stops accepting VGCs?
Walmart is only 49.99, not sure if you can do 4 swipes from the same VGC?
Walmart is only 49.99, not sure if you can do 4 swipes from the same VGC?
Jan 18, 2017, 9:11 pm
#532
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 132
Or you could use Vanilla @ Walgreens or Safeway to buy USB MC variable up to $500 and drain at PO. You'd have to eat the fees but still working for me in getting rid of all my MetaBank VGCs. Some unsuspecting cashiers can let you get away with 5+ swipes on a single transaction.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
Jan 18, 2017, 9:18 pm
#533
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Or you could use Vanilla @ Walgreens or Safeway to buy USB MC variable up to $500 and drain at PO. You'd have to eat the fees but still working for me in getting rid of all my MetaBank VGCs. Some unsuspecting cashiers can let you get away with 5+ swipes on a single transaction.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
I agree on the whole with MB though - I don't know about your financial situation but I generally won't float more than 2x the balance on all CCs combined.
default modus operandi in liquidation = ASAP
these things are so fragile that recycling centers can just shut down anytime
i dont know how that Hy-vee guy feel by floating >$100K in VGCs, though he did profit close to $10K. probably will only consider doing that if i have lots of liquid cash idling around
the OP was asking abt alternate method of liquidating Vanillas if PO were to shut down (his only source of liquidation) one day
Jan 18, 2017, 9:21 pm
#534
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: United Gold (frmer. 1k and GS), AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 200
yeah i agree as well. the moment i exit SM with 10K VGC in my hand, i am already on my way to liquidating them, and usually aim to get them done in < 5 days.
default modus operandi in liquidation = ASAP
these things are so fragile that recycling centers can just shut down anytime
i dont know how that Hy-vee guy feel by floating >$100K in VGCs, though he did profit close to $10K. probably will only consider doing that if i have lots of liquid cash idling around
the OP was asking abt alternate method of liquidating Vanillas if PO were to shut down (his only source of liquidation) one day
default modus operandi in liquidation = ASAP
these things are so fragile that recycling centers can just shut down anytime
i dont know how that Hy-vee guy feel by floating >$100K in VGCs, though he did profit close to $10K. probably will only consider doing that if i have lots of liquid cash idling around
the OP was asking abt alternate method of liquidating Vanillas if PO were to shut down (his only source of liquidation) one day
Jan 19, 2017, 4:57 am
#537
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 843
If there is no PO/MO inspector issue, I would buy 6K(total) more for today and tomorrow. Please advise, as I need to make this decision by this evening. Thanks folks for chiming in. Appreciate it.
Jan 19, 2017, 8:19 am
#539
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
Sane advise MB, I was going to purchase some more VGC for next two days which I wont do and concentrate on draining the VGCs I have on hand which I can do in 2 weeks. Didn't think about hacking.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.
Another option is to go to Simon and buy meta bank VGC with one vanilla, you will pay 3.95 fee but then you may be able to unload that to GoBank in WM for free. extra cost but still no problem considering 7% gain before costs. I would still net 5%. I'm not sure if Simon would allow me to buy VGC with VGC.