Jan 1, 2018, 11:00 am
Last edit by: Klemhuzzah
This is the thread for 2018. The previous discussion can be found here.
Giftcards.com (and giftcardmall) now limit Visa loads to $250. No more $500 cards, Change happened sometime in 2020.
Check cash back portals to help cover the fees. Around the holidays there is usually free shipping. http://www.cashbackmonitor.com/cashback-store/giftcards.com/
Limit 5k/ every 48 hours (2 orders under 2.5k including the fees). However, system will reportedly "error out" if more than two orders are attempted within two days.
Cards must be activated before use. Orders usually arrive in 5-7 days.
Select the free letter on the left instead of paying for a card on the right of the screen to save money.
Warning: Orders can be lost or stolen. Call to have them reissued.
Giftcards.com (and giftcardmall) now limit Visa loads to $250. No more $500 cards, Change happened sometime in 2020.
Check cash back portals to help cover the fees. Around the holidays there is usually free shipping. http://www.cashbackmonitor.com/cashback-store/giftcards.com/
Limit 5k/ every 48 hours (2 orders under 2.5k including the fees). However, system will reportedly "error out" if more than two orders are attempted within two days.
Cards must be activated before use. Orders usually arrive in 5-7 days.
Select the free letter on the left instead of paying for a card on the right of the screen to save money.
Warning: Orders can be lost or stolen. Call to have them reissued.
giftcards.com master thread (2018 onwards)
Nov 10, 2018, 4:45 pm
#706
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
I'm doing some math and still can't figure it out with VGC.
At GC, for one $500 card, I pay $6.95 fee and $1.99 shipping. Total $8.94 or 1.79%. And I get one AA mile back.
At GCM, I pay $5.95 with free shipping. Total $5.95 or 1.2% cost. I get 1% back. Net cost is 0.2%.
I'll have to value the mile at 1.77 cpp or better to make sense. Not sure where I'm wrong here. When can I get free shipping (VGC)? I can't use the eGift card to pay bill over the phone.
At GC, for one $500 card, I pay $6.95 fee and $1.99 shipping. Total $8.94 or 1.79%. And I get one AA mile back.
At GCM, I pay $5.95 with free shipping. Total $5.95 or 1.2% cost. I get 1% back. Net cost is 0.2%.
I'll have to value the mile at 1.77 cpp or better to make sense. Not sure where I'm wrong here. When can I get free shipping (VGC)? I can't use the eGift card to pay bill over the phone.
Nov 10, 2018, 7:16 pm
#707
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: UR, Marriott, AA, WN, Chick Fil A Red
Posts: 182
Nov 10, 2018, 8:35 pm
#708
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
I'm doing some math and still can't figure it out with VGC.
At GC, for one $500 card, I pay $6.95 fee and $1.99 shipping. Total $8.94 or 1.79%. And I get one AA mile back.
At GCM, I pay $5.95 with free shipping. Total $5.95 or 1.2% cost. I get 1% back. Net cost is 0.2%.
I'll have to value the mile at 1.77 cpp or better to make sense. Not sure where I'm wrong here. When can I get free shipping (VGC)? I can't use the eGift card to pay bill over the phone.
At GC, for one $500 card, I pay $6.95 fee and $1.99 shipping. Total $8.94 or 1.79%. And I get one AA mile back.
At GCM, I pay $5.95 with free shipping. Total $5.95 or 1.2% cost. I get 1% back. Net cost is 0.2%.
I'll have to value the mile at 1.77 cpp or better to make sense. Not sure where I'm wrong here. When can I get free shipping (VGC)? I can't use the eGift card to pay bill over the phone.
Nov 10, 2018, 9:00 pm
#709
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Where do you get grocery store involved?
I can get cash back (1%) with portal + GCM. Or I get 1 mile (portal) + GC. Just compare the two. But GC has higher cost than at GCM.
CC reward is extra and should be the same at either GC or GCM.
I can get cash back (1%) with portal + GCM. Or I get 1 mile (portal) + GC. Just compare the two. But GC has higher cost than at GCM.
CC reward is extra and should be the same at either GC or GCM.
Nov 11, 2018, 4:32 pm
#710
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
I've been in the game for years...GCM is a better deal..especially with the ebates card. and if you can wait 7-9 days you get free shipping below the 2k. I just to 3-4 orders at once and wait for regular mail.. Never a problem. As far as GC.com.. they are more expensive but give back 1.25% on MCGC. Good only with a 3% card and a 1.25% portal..simplybestcoupons. Other then that GC,com is a bummer. Harder and more expensive to liquidate MCGC for me. But real heavy hitters can't wait that long..so they use both.
Nov 11, 2018, 6:21 pm
#711
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 889
I've been in the game for years...GCM is a better deal..especially with the ebates card. and if you can wait 7-9 days you get free shipping below the 2k. I just to 3-4 orders at once and wait for regular mail.. Never a problem. As far as GC.com.. they are more expensive but give back 1.25% on MCGC. Good only with a 3% card and a 1.25% portal..simplybestcoupons. Other then that GC,com is a bummer. Harder and more expensive to liquidate MCGC for me. But real heavy hitters can't wait that long..so they use both.
Nov 11, 2018, 9:27 pm
#713
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: AS 100k, BA GGL, UA 1k, DL DM, AC SE, B6 Mosaic4, Hyatt/Hilton/Wyndham/IHG Diamond, Marriot Ti
Posts: 1,234
I've been in the game for years...GCM is a better deal..especially with the ebates card. and if you can wait 7-9 days you get free shipping below the 2k. I just to 3-4 orders at once and wait for regular mail.. Never a problem. As far as GC.com.. they are more expensive but give back 1.25% on MCGC. Good only with a 3% card and a 1.25% portal..simplybestcoupons. Other then that GC,com is a bummer. Harder and more expensive to liquidate MCGC for me. But real heavy hitters can't wait that long..so they use both.
Nov 11, 2018, 10:22 pm
#714
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
GCC is the better deal after you factor in 2% cashback on MCGC. MCGC are also easier to liquidate, and GCM does not sell them. The key is they autodrain at some nationwide chains where that is crucial, and MB VGC do not. Furthermore, they ship faster and arrive with their order number identified so it is easy to keep track of.
At 1.25% (or 1 mile) with MCGC/GCs vs 1% with VGC/GCM, GCM still gets the edge. But if we can find 2% on MCGC or get free shipping, the edge would be on GC....
Nov 11, 2018, 11:11 pm
#715
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: AS 100k, BA GGL, UA 1k, DL DM, AC SE, B6 Mosaic4, Hyatt/Hilton/Wyndham/IHG Diamond, Marriot Ti
Posts: 1,234
Where is your 2% CB on MCGC/GC? The best I can find now is 1.25% for MCGC/GC. For loading, no difference of Meta VGC vs MCGC. You just enter the PIN with VCGC. As for shipping, I do not see big difference of GC vs GCM.
At 1.25% (or 1 mile) with MCGC/GCs vs 1% with VGC/GCM, GCM still gets the edge. But if we can find 2% on MCGC or get free shipping, the edge would be on GC....
At 1.25% (or 1 mile) with MCGC/GCs vs 1% with VGC/GCM, GCM still gets the edge. But if we can find 2% on MCGC or get free shipping, the edge would be on GC....
Nov 12, 2018, 2:27 pm
#718
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist Caesars Wyndham Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 249
Nov 12, 2018, 5:49 pm
#719
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
GCC is the better deal after you factor in 2% cashback on MCGC. MCGC are also easier to liquidate, and GCM does not sell them. The key is they autodrain at some nationwide chains where that is crucial, and MB VGC do not. Furthermore, they ship faster and arrive with their order number identified so it is easy to keep track of.
Nov 13, 2018, 8:57 am
#720
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7
What portal is 2% for MCGC from GCC?
