Jan 2, 2019, 9:51 am
Last edit by: danpeake
As of Nov 11, 2020, Meta gebits are getting declined when used for MO/BP purchases at MC/SD. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. READ the posts below and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
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Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
NEW Limits as of 11/18 - 8K with ID every 24 hours. ID required for MO over 1K.Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually $1 each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for $1 x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transactions: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)
Feb 7, 2021, 5:43 pm
#3271
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 28
I’ve maxed my and my wife’s grocery promo for gold amex 3 years straight. I don’t even bother to add other superfluous items. 2 weeks heavy and done. Never been clawed back or anything.
Feb 8, 2021, 7:20 am
#3274
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator...pplier-locator
You can see that one obtains L3 data since it is so valuable to every industry's data miners.
Last edited by radonc1; Feb 8, 2021 at 7:27 am
Feb 8, 2021, 10:51 am
#3275
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 453
Let me give you a tiny bit of help. This is for Visa but you will get the idea. Look under grocers, supermarkets and bakerys.
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator...pplier-locator
You can see that one obtains L3 data since it is so valuable to every industry's data miners.
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator...pplier-locator
You can see that one obtains L3 data since it is so valuable to every industry's data miners.
Anyone know if that is safe for Amex and gift cards?
Feb 8, 2021, 12:21 pm
#3276
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
Let me give you a tiny bit of help. This is for Visa but you will get the idea. Look under grocers, supermarkets and bakerys.
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator...pplier-locator
You can see that one obtains L3 data since it is so valuable to every industry's data miners.
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator...pplier-locator
You can see that one obtains L3 data since it is so valuable to every industry's data miners.
Feb 8, 2021, 7:03 pm
#3277
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 126
My understanding is that AMEX is different since they own their own processing network, (and ALL AMEX transactions are L3 by default from ALL merchants regardless of category).
Feb 9, 2021, 7:18 am
#3279
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
I am up until now, happy I haven't been shut down by either Amex or Chase, which are my two main sources of points (also, I am definitely not a whale). I have scaled down on Chase, due to not having opened new cards. But with CSR's 48 months from SUB already elapsed and WN Chase on my 5th year of Companion, and with 24 months already elapsed, we might get back in the game with them. For now, Amex Plat offer was a no brainer, and have been transferring out the MR to my Loyalty Programs in airline and hotel accounts at a quick pace. Miss the good ol days when buying MO with AS Debit Card from BofA was a breeze, and of course, my mistress, a girl that use to go by the name KATE!
Feb 9, 2021, 9:35 am
#3280
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 102
I do agree with you. I know it is riskier this days, as to many idiots (sorry, bloggers) have decided to try to teach and make this hobby massive while looking to profit themselves out of those groups.
https://youtu.be/LRVwTsZu8tQ
I am up until now, happy I haven't been shut down by either Amex or Chase, which are my two main sources of points (also, I am definitely not a whale). I have scaled down on Chase, due to not having opened new cards. But with CSR's 48 months from SUB already elapsed and WN Chase on my 5th year of Companion, and with 24 months already elapsed, we might get back in the game with them. For now, Amex Plat offer was a no brainer, and have been transferring out the MR to my Loyalty Programs in airline and hotel accounts at a quick pace. Miss the good ol days when buying MO with AS Debit Card from BofA was a breeze, and of course, my mistress, a girl that use to go by the name KATE!
https://youtu.be/LRVwTsZu8tQ
I am up until now, happy I haven't been shut down by either Amex or Chase, which are my two main sources of points (also, I am definitely not a whale). I have scaled down on Chase, due to not having opened new cards. But with CSR's 48 months from SUB already elapsed and WN Chase on my 5th year of Companion, and with 24 months already elapsed, we might get back in the game with them. For now, Amex Plat offer was a no brainer, and have been transferring out the MR to my Loyalty Programs in airline and hotel accounts at a quick pace. Miss the good ol days when buying MO with AS Debit Card from BofA was a breeze, and of course, my mistress, a girl that use to go by the name KATE!
Feb 9, 2021, 6:50 pm
#3281
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM) | Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 158
This is not my understanding after having an AMEX "Rewards Department" supervisor (probably about as close to the RAT that you can get) specifically ask me what all of my 'high-dollar' Fred Meyer (Kroger) purchases were for. They weren't playing detective and asking me questions they already knew so I assumed this meant they do not have L3 data from Kroger.
In my case, both of my clawbacks happened from Safeway GC purchases and they knew exactly what I had purchased — which leads me to believe they get L3 data from Safeway (Albertsons Companies).
-b.
In my case, both of my clawbacks happened from Safeway GC purchases and they knew exactly what I had purchased — which leads me to believe they get L3 data from Safeway (Albertsons Companies).
-b.
I recall reading several years ago that it is up to the card issuer whether they want to "Purchase" L3 data, (but only for Visa/MC card issuing banks).
My understanding is that AMEX is different since they own their own processing network, (and ALL AMEX transactions are L3 by default from ALL merchants regardless of category).
My understanding is that AMEX is different since they own their own processing network, (and ALL AMEX transactions are L3 by default from ALL merchants regardless of category).
Feb 10, 2021, 7:38 pm
#3282
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 239
Amex doesn't really care unless it's a limited-time promo, i.e. minimum spend on a new card or promotional bonus spend offer. I would advise exercising caution and spread out charges if attempting the 6 month $15,000 Platinum grocery spend bonus offer.
Also, trying to be cute and obfuscate xx5.95 charges or think L2 stores somehow fully protect you is no longer the case anymore. It's volume/velocity/pattern when they decide you've gone too far gaming the limited-time promo and send you a nice letter that your charges aren't eligible for rewards.
Also, trying to be cute and obfuscate xx5.95 charges or think L2 stores somehow fully protect you is no longer the case anymore. It's volume/velocity/pattern when they decide you've gone too far gaming the limited-time promo and send you a nice letter that your charges aren't eligible for rewards.
Feb 11, 2021, 10:26 am
#3283
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
Exactly this. If you aren't working on a SUB or off a promo, then history shows AMEX is pretty lenient. For those that are racking up the MS on the 10x grocery bonus on platinum card, you are really taking a risk. AMEX clawed back tons of points from the Hilton card grocery promo over the summer. In my opinion it's not worth it. Amex MR points are pretty valuable, and I'll take years of being able to earn points on the gold card at grocery over the cost of a quick 150k points from a promo with a clawback or shutdown.
. I did never get clawed back by Citi AA because I played the open/close game for the first 3 years with 100,000 AA Miles and then the jumping from the black one to the silver one. Then bloggers made it massive the 8 day rule and mailers and bye bye. By that time, I was already out and enjoying many many AA Miles through CX F & J. So, it has been a good +10 years of light to normal MS with tons of vacations, just without promoting it in a blog or FF University ... I do have a day job, so no need to make it my regular job.
Feb 11, 2021, 3:57 pm
#3284
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,438
Again, I am already at my max milking Amex products. I did NOT MS the SUB, of course. Only the extra 10X on Groceries. At this point, I already closed my OBC, as I did not have time to milk that one while working on the Gold and Platinum products. Those already have gone into Hilton Points @ 2.8 times for 10 night ultra high season Waldorf Astoria Maui for 760,000 HH Points ($1,600 ++ a Night paid). Plus tons of points to BA, AC, Marriott (with boost) and some others. Definitely, as long as Chase is active for me, I can afford to loose Amex ... But in the end, this game is coming to an end due to bloggers trying to make it massive while being promoted by the same banks/financial institutions that then discourage it . I did never get clawed back by Citi AA because I played the open/close game for the first 3 years with 100,000 AA Miles and then the jumping from the black one to the silver one. Then bloggers made it massive the 8 day rule and mailers and bye bye. By that time, I was already out and enjoying many many AA Miles through CX F & J. So, it has been a good +10 years of light to normal MS with tons of vacations, just without promoting it in a blog or FF University ... I do have a day job, so no need to make it my regular job.
. I did never get clawed back by Citi AA because I played the open/close game for the first 3 years with 100,000 AA Miles and then the jumping from the black one to the silver one. Then bloggers made it massive the 8 day rule and mailers and bye bye. By that time, I was already out and enjoying many many AA Miles through CX F & J. So, it has been a good +10 years of light to normal MS with tons of vacations, just without promoting it in a blog or FF University ... I do have a day job, so no need to make it my regular job.
They want to be like you, earn like you and travel for "free" like you.
And then things blow up and we sit around grousing about how "MSing" has gone to the dogs (aka bloggers)
Feb 12, 2021, 6:07 pm
#3285
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 61
other than usb vgc - Are there any other vgc or mcgc that works @ WM for MO ? I only get meta vgc near me and has that 99 limit. The moment you ask for multiple swipe they ask to see the card and deny. Does meta mcgc works in wm ? or OVVGC ?