has anyone tried buying these cards with a credit card? Throughout their web site AAA states that this MAY be considered a cash advance. However, we all know that if you talk to 5 CSRs, you get 6 different answers.

This could be another mileage earning option. ^

I don't know this for a fact & have no experience with the cash passport, but from what I understand with AAA cash equivalency purchases, it's treated however your credit card company treats it. With the AAA visa, it'd most likely be a purchase, but with another Visa, such as a Bank One visa, it'd be a cash advance.

Could you provide a url for this potential mileage earning opportunity, I'll give it a try to see if it is charged as a purchase or cash advance.

I did a search on AAA Cash Passport and up popped a whole bunch of sites--just pick your local (state or regional) AAA organization and it should provide the info.

From the Connecticut Motor Club

http://ww1.aaa.com/scripts/WebObject...=1084385980562

Though no clue if it will work without their cookie.

Sounds like a lot of fees, but edited to add, great call, especially for a newbie! Rep points for you!

Mike

Cash Passport Card
Withdraw your travel funds when and where you need them
Withdraw local currency anytime day or night

Nearly 800,000 Visa ATMs available worldwide

Your Cash Passport is reloadable anywhere you can access the internet or phone

Fees
The minimum card load is $20.00, the minimum order is $300.00, maximum order $1,500
There is an activation fee of $2.95 per card over $300 and $5.95 per card under $300. Reloads are $300 minimum by calling (866) 339 3378, takes 5 - 7 business days.
AAA members can receive an additional card for free.
Card cash out fee is $15
Orders over $500 receive free 2-day delivery, upgrades to next-day are $3.00, priority overnight delivery costs $6.00
Orders under $500 pay $7.00 for 2-day delivery, $10.00 for next day delivery, and $13.00 for priority overnight delivery
Card life is 24 months, an optional monthly statement can be ordered for $0.50 per month, ATM balance inquires are $0.50 each, there is a $1.25 monthly maintenance fee after 12 months of inactivity
ATM withdrawals in the US are subject to daily and weekly maximum amounts of $300 a day and $800 a week, no limit on foreign withdrawals. There is a $2.00 ATM fee to withdraw funds

The fees would depend on how you use the card, most of those (statement, inactivity, cash out, etc) are fees I would never see as I don't need to check it's balance, I'll use it once a year, etc.

Total fees are about $13 for a $1,500 gift card, or under a penny per mile. Not bad.

$2.95 activation
$2.00 per withdrawal, limited to $300 per withdrawal.

They also offer a gift card, but it is not good at ATMs. Too bad, since that looked like a great deal.

Mike

They seem to have free delivery for all orders over $500. So, has anyone had any success? If anyone here on the forum has a card with cash advance set to 0, they should try this risk free. Either it is a purchase, or the whole transaction is declined...

Out of curiosity, I started the process to order one of these cards and after entering all of the requested information, there was a note which indicated

"As stated when you placed your order, we want to remind you that this transaction is considered a cash advance and your bank may or may not place a separate cash advance fee on your credit card statement. If you are using your bank's debit card or check card, no additional fee should be applied by your bank."

Also, there was a logo for Travelex on the bottom of each screen with the text "This is a service of Travelex Currency Services, Inc. (formerly Thomas Cook)."

So, unless my credit card issuer does not process this as a cash advance, it looks like we might be out of luck on this offer.