[EXPIRED] Buy Traveler's Checks with AMEX cc
May 31, 2007, 11:11 am
#151
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Oak Park, IL
Programs: AA 2 MM LIfetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Silver, BA
Posts: 3,585
I wouldn't do more than $1000 per week per card!
May 31, 2007, 11:16 am
#152
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
2) If you get greedy with this, they will shut you down. Do it for $1000 here and there and enjoy the free points. Fly too close to the sun and they're going to burn your wings off.
peace,
~Ben~
May 31, 2007, 11:58 am
#153
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: AA lifetime Gold, SPG
Posts: 442
I may try that. Unfortunately I have been using my HHonors and SPG AMEX card alot, so would have to bring them completely to zero first. I think I'll wait until closer to the billing close as you suggest, if I do take the time to attempt it. However, the person at the AMEX Travel Service place told me that another client of hers got charged the cash advance --- apparently he/she had called to complain. So I have been duly warned by her.
I don't think that I am "lucky" as it has happened this way for 5 SPG purchases and 2 Hilton purchases. Why not bring your SPG card balance to zero just before the close of your billing cycle, and buy just $150 of travelers checks, and even pay that off before the billing cycle. The interest would be minimal if any, and if it worked, you would now know that it worked.
On my Hilton card, which I don't otherwise use, it was very clear - I got 6000 points for $2000 work of travelers checks brought on 2 different occasions one week apart.
On my Hilton card, which I don't otherwise use, it was very clear - I got 6000 points for $2000 work of travelers checks brought on 2 different occasions one week apart.
May 31, 2007, 12:07 pm
#154
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
May 31, 2007, 12:57 pm
#155
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Texas
Programs: AA 1MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 444
Actually, the bank needs to report cash deposits if it's more than $10,000 in a day. The report is called a CTR (currency transaction report). As you noted, depositing large amounts of cash is legal, so this shouldn't cause problems or give reason for suspicion.
If you were to deposit large sums of money frequently, the bank may choose to file a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report), which is a much bigger deal.
If you were to deposit large sums of money frequently, the bank may choose to file a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report), which is a much bigger deal.
May 31, 2007, 1:47 pm
#156
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Oak Park, IL
Programs: AA 2 MM LIfetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Silver, BA
Posts: 3,585
You could clear just one of the cards and only use the other and try the purchase on that card. Next time I go (maybe tomorrow) I could ask about why someone would have the problem of it being considered a cash advance instead of a purchase. When I click on the details of the transaction this is what it shows:
Transaction Date: 05/25/2007
Post Date: No Additional Information
Transaction Description: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS U.S.A.
000000000
Charge: $1,000.00
Merchant Address: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL
1600 16TH ST
OAK BROOK IL 60523
USA
Merchant Type: TVL AGNTS-CASH ADVNC
Doing Business As: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRVL CKS
In spite of it saying cash advnc under Merchant type - it is clearly a purchase, no interest, no fees and points.
It is still $10,000 according to the notice at the teller's window at AMEX
Transaction Date: 05/25/2007
Post Date: No Additional Information
Transaction Description: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRS U.S.A.
000000000
Charge: $1,000.00
Merchant Address: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL
1600 16TH ST
OAK BROOK IL 60523
USA
Merchant Type: TVL AGNTS-CASH ADVNC
Doing Business As: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRVL CKS
In spite of it saying cash advnc under Merchant type - it is clearly a purchase, no interest, no fees and points.
It is still $10,000 according to the notice at the teller's window at AMEX
May 31, 2007, 2:26 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Freeload Univ. Where are you sitting?
Posts: 14,818
Aw, screw it.
I'll be stopping in next Monday on my way from the airport. I'll get a $1000 set of TC's and insist they're a purchase. We'll see where it goes.
I'm tired of all this if-then-else-maybe fannying about.
I'll be stopping in next Monday on my way from the airport. I'll get a $1000 set of TC's and insist they're a purchase. We'll see where it goes.
I'm tired of all this if-then-else-maybe fannying about.
May 31, 2007, 2:26 pm
#158
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Ashburn, VA (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 2,748
Same for my first attempt. If it was regular cash advance, it would show fees.
May 31, 2007, 5:40 pm
#159
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
May 31, 2007, 5:46 pm
#160
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Oak Park, IL
Programs: AA 2 MM LIfetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Silver, BA
Posts: 3,585
OH my, If I had realized what stres I would be putting people through, I might have decided to keep this all to myself.
May 31, 2007, 5:58 pm
#161
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 116
A darn good thing that you didnt. I'm a thousand SPG points richer. In addition, I discovered some other benefits of traveler's cheques that I hadn't foreseen.
May 31, 2007, 10:24 pm
#162
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, DL, US, UA, Starwood
Posts: 69
May 31, 2007, 11:34 pm
#163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Jun 1, 2007, 2:39 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,886
AUS Flyertalkers alert: The three AmEx agencies in Austin, all "Accent Travel" offices, will NOT allow you to buy TC's using your AmEx card.
Their reason is that "it would be like giving you a cash advance." Well, duh! No amount of questioning or explaining would get them to budge.
Their reason is that "it would be like giving you a cash advance." Well, duh! No amount of questioning or explaining would get them to budge.
Jun 1, 2007, 2:59 pm
#165
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 408
I would report them to Amex headquarters.They have a franchise and are in the business of selling Travelers Cheques.What you do with them is not of their concern.I contacted a local Agency office to clarify the question about Purchase vs Cash advance,they said it would be treated as a purchase.I told them if it was otherwise I would hold them respondsible for any charges to my card in excess of actual purchase.Would suggest getting clairfication and understanding before buying.