J.Edward

True - I don't think anyone would disagree with that. However it remains the prerogative of the CC companies to tailor their award programs, and in turn how those programs treat various classes of purchases.

That said I'm not sure I can name a program that offers points on "cash-like" transactions for the obvious potential to commit arbitrage, but regardless it remains in their hands on how to reward transactions. How the vendor codes transactions is of course a matter of business between them and their CC processor.

But again if you don't mind me asking -- what happened with your shipment(s)?

soitgoes

It's a combination of card issuers and the way the merchant codes the transaction/the way their merchant bank codes the transaction.


They theoretically could put purchases through under multiple codes and/or merchant numbers.

deant

But Disney is buying thousands of dollars of coins to give out in their promotion.

benmaller

I'm only speculating, but I would very surprised if Disney is not getting a discount on their purchase.

deant

Bottom line is that there are changes coming to the "Direct Ship" program. It is possible that the coins will go the same way that the TC program went. Only time will tell. It appears obvious that the Mint, or some other Government entity, is trying to put a stop to earning significant points / mileage from the Direct Ship program.

No one really knows if drumdrum, or anyone else for that matter, was responsible for the Mint making changes to the program. Right now, all we can do is wait and see what really happens.

I think everyone's concerns should be focused, for the time being, on the orders that are in place. Will they be processed as cash advances or as purchases? Or as purchases with no points attached (like the TCs).

deant

IF they are getting a discount, it is probably offset by the fact that the Mint is not having to pay CC fees associated with their "purchase" of coins. Also, the Disney coins may, possibly, be coming from the Fed banks who have all the coins that FTs have deposited in regular banks.

Just a thought.

craz

It could also be that they were able to line up others like Disney and thusly its alot cheaper and better for The Mint to simply deal with Extreme large orders then what they did with us.

aviators99

I don't think that's possible (or legal).

There's plenty of margin to offer Disney a substantial discount, though.

moondog

Sweet harmony! I'd love to help out Disney.

RLW

o it's the little drumdrum that could

did you always want to be the heroine? trying to save us all from ordering heavy back-breaking boxes of golden-colored coins?

dear drumdrum the people that "abused the program" already got their big rewards and now they'll have plenty of time to do other thangs like playing coin toss, gold digging, and taking free flights with their accumulated reward points.

and we all know your original goal wasn't to "make changes happen" but to recover your lost $20k shipment of coins.

then that somehow transformed into a vendetta against everyone else that was ordering the coins and against the coin supplier us mint.

you seem pretty bitter about losing those $20k coins and are now on a rampage for revenge

i suppose your significant loss of coins is still under investigation and while that case slowly moves along, you are agonizing and hurt and in order to release your pent up emotions, you desire to inflict punishment on those that recommended the coin deal to you.

calling and writing to your congresswoman and the us mint, you anxiously await the little bird that brings you new from afar. Inside your head, the question continuously rings, Where are my 20k coins? Why me? Why me? I want my coins back now!

Maybe you needed the 20k to pay your bills or maybe you're very rich and the $20k was just pocket change.

But in either case you still want those coins!

Your eyes are seething red with anger as you vow, "If I can't have those coins, then no one can! HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

But in the end, have you really accomplished anything? Well, who knows?

deant

What do you think is not possible (or legal)? Is it relative to getting a "discount" on the coins? I have the exact same feeling and that was why I put "IF" in bold letters.

Getting the coins from the Fed would be via the normal banks that Disney deals with. It would be very simple for them to order hundreds of thousands of dollars of coins as "change" for the bills that they get daily from the general public. You need to remember that Disney deals with millions of dollars of cash each and every day.

RLW

i thought disney ordered directly from the u.s. mint? that's why the native american coins were sold out!

deant

Don't think anyone on this board knows. They could get the coins from the Mint or through their normal banking channels - or both. Also, look at my original post where I said: Also, the Disney coins may, possibly, be coming from the Fed banks who have all the coins that FTs have deposited in regular banks.

ejs621

Just returned from 1 week in Moorea and 1 week in Bora Bora courtesy of the US Mint. I wish to thank all of the PRODUCTIVE FT'ers that have shared their knowledge that helped me in securing this life long dream trip and enough miles and points to be going to the Maldives in February.

Cheers!

moondog

Ditto that! You guys helped me ride in the front the bus on my birthday.