Why do merchants insist on refunding to the exact same card?
Feb 7, 2011 | 11:15 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,531
Fascinating discussion.
I just went though all of my Amex cards - I have 23 with all the "additional" card members on SPG, HH & DL cards.... not one of them has the same 4 digits... although often they are just a digit or two away.
Perhaps worth calling to ask for some new cards??
Still... then you have to ask yourself... do you want to gain on one card and lose on another?
Buy on Credit, return on Debit would be the way to go but none of the last 4 digits are close to the Amex figures.
To irritate things further... I have a UK and US Amex with the same last 4 digits... so a swap could be done... but then you're dealing with exchange rate fluctuations and commission fees!
It just isn't worth it.
I just went though all of my Amex cards - I have 23 with all the "additional" card members on SPG, HH & DL cards.... not one of them has the same 4 digits... although often they are just a digit or two away.
Perhaps worth calling to ask for some new cards??
Still... then you have to ask yourself... do you want to gain on one card and lose on another?
Buy on Credit, return on Debit would be the way to go but none of the last 4 digits are close to the Amex figures.
To irritate things further... I have a UK and US Amex with the same last 4 digits... so a swap could be done... but then you're dealing with exchange rate fluctuations and commission fees!
It just isn't worth it.
Feb 8, 2011 | 2:32 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: SPG
Posts: 123
I've actually done this with Costco before...with a slight twist. I bought something online from Costco, where you can use a Visa/MC (I dunno if they still accept non-AMEX online, but they did on the time). Then I went to a Costco store to return the item, and I returned it onto my AMEX, because they only accept AMEX there...so I was able to charge a Mastercard and return onto AMEX. However, I think Costco watches for such things, so if you did it too much and/or with too high amounts, I think they would find a way to get you to stop.
