CostCo allows the use of any AMEX product, including Blue, Optima, basic Gold, Silver, Platinum, etc.

Reminds me of a friend who had a Centurion (black) card and tried to use it there. The checker called the manager over because she thought the card was not legit!

CostCo does not allow use of any debit card processed as a credit transaction ... nor does it accept Visa, MC, Discover.

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He who dies with the most miles ... is dead.

Speaking of getting FF miles for gift certificats, are any of you visiting Hawaii sooN?

Next time you are in Honolulu and find yourself shopping at Ala Moana Center, drop by the customer service counter in the center stage area of the mall and charge (one or more) $100 gift certificates to your mileage earning credit cards.

Then make your small purchase (a small meal at the food court, perhaps? Or a box of macadamia nut candy?) at any Ala Moana shop, and you will get your change back in cash, and the hundred or so points in your FF account.

Another option for purchasing foreign currency via mileage CC: http://www.trip.com/trs/trip/content...skytell_cc.xsl

I don'y know whether the exchange rates are favorable. No service charge. No shipping fee for >$500.

how about going to one Home Depot, and buy like twenty $100 gift cards with your credit card... then go to a different store the next day and cash them all in? Then repeat the process over and over again?
Wouldn't that work?

Don't!! Their rate is 6.8%. Only for the truly careless.

Currency to go only allows 4 per year from date of "original" purchase. Is there any other company that offers US travelers checks without any fees. AMEX will allow $1000 purchase for $10.00 and $3.95 shipping.

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DtG

Are the purchase restrictions on the website somewhere? Early post in this thread stated one per quarter. Can I shoot all 4 bullets now?

Called Home Depot CS twice and was told the that there's a limit to 6 GC per online order, then called again to get another answer- you can buy any amount of GF but have to call HD Corporate Gift Services at
877-423-3005 so you can verify some info.
Whatever the answer, this is a great idea ! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I wouldn't order Currency to go more than once a month or 2. None of this is listed on their web-site. When my 4th for the calendar year didn't show up, they said the limit is 4 per 12 month period. Since I had ordered in Oct 2000, I cannot order again until then. I believe this is a new "rule" (And it is address that they go by - tried to order under my husband's name - different credit card ) also denied.

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DtG

Some comments here.

I agree with the idea that buying gold and selling it from a dealer would not work. Not only will the dealer buy at less than he sells at, but he will have to pay a fee for you using your credit card and surely he will not buy something back for the same amount he sold it at after he had to give a credit card company a percentage of it. Ever wonder why stores will never give cash back when you return a purchase made on a credit card, they only reverse the charge on the card?

About the guy who did the travellers check thing, my father worked with a guy who did this a long time ago to earn interest on the money for the grace period of the credit card. Eventually the credit card company caught onto him and sent him a letter about it and changed their policies. You have to admire someone who thinks something like this up, though. Kind of up there with the "pudding guy" who earned a million miles for purchasing a couple thousand dollars worth of pudding.

About the I bond idea, I will look into this, this seems like a good way to get some free miles. The only thing bad about this is that basically you are forfeiting a better interest rate for the miles. You are basically locking up the money for an interest rate that is the same that you would get from a savings account where you are free to remove the money at will. If you do a 6 month CD, for example, the difference in interest that you would get may be comparable to the value of the miles. I guess it all depends on how much you need the miles. If you are wanting to give money to a child as a college investment of something like that, it makes a great idea.

Probably the best idea I heard is the one about putting business expenses on a card. I did this some and it works well. Another idea on that note is if you eat out on the company, get a Diners Club and choose LeCard restaurants. You will get 20% rebated in your statement plus the 100% back from the company. You can earn miles AND make money while eating out on the company! That should help offset the $80 annual fee the card charges. I did this for a times while I was doing a lot of business travel.

quinella66,

I-bonds are not at a disadvantage compared to CD interest. Current Ibond rate is 5.92% for bonds issued May to Oct 2001. For comparison, I have the July issue of Money magazine at hand for their monthly highest yields (various institutions):
Taxable money market funds: 4.95%
6 month CD 5.11
One year CD 5.10
5 year CD 5.87

Other advantages to the Ibond (and other Federal bonds, notes) include 1) not being subject to state and local income tax, and 2) Federal income tax on the earned interest may be deferred until you cash it.

For #1, this could be the equivalent of approximately 10% more effective interest (5.92% x 0.1 + 5.92%, about 6.5%) in a state such as California, but of course, depends on your state income tax bracket.

For #2, you may pay less federal income tax on the interest when you finally cash it because of the new tax cuts that phase in, and/or because you may be in a lower tax bracket at that time.

Of course, there is a 3 month interest loss if you redeem before 5 years, but you face a similar penalty for cashing in a CD before its maturation date.

I think I've just convinced myself to get a few more! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Karmann -- which Home Depot has the sign for "only one Gift Card per day per customer"? Maybe that HD isn't near me? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

siliconengineer,

Thanks for the bond info, I may try them myself. My idea that the interest was less came from the idea that you have to forfeit half of it if you sell after only 6 months. Maybe the tax breaks will make for it though. I will check it out, thanks again.

Here's what I do to get miles monthly. I belong to a golf club of 32 members. I collect the green fees which most pay in cash and then pay the golf course with my credit card. When my bill comes, I have the cash on hand to pay it off. I average between 800 and 1200 miles a month depending on where we play. Hope this makes sense.

Traveler's Checks: I purchased two last month from Currency to Go. Both transacations went through. After reading the 'board' about many people getting THE LETTER from Chase (which stated that they could not order from them any more) I stopped ordering (for now).
But when I need some miles on a particular card that will take me over the 20K or 25K needed for a ticket, I'll order some more.

SAV BONDS: I've been ordering one $500 bond per month for two years. Not a lot, but free 6000K miles per year. When I need some cash, I'll cash the oldest and collect my 7.49% (now 5.92%) interest, less three months penalty.

HOME DEPOT: I buy one or two a week $100 Gift cards. Use them for small purchases and get double miles on my AMEX DELTA card.
Someone in a previous post asked if you could buy twenty. Probably yes - but do we really want to abuse a good thing? If Home Depot sees too many cards being purchased for the miles, not for merchandise, they may do what Sears does, and that is give you your change on a 'stored value' card instead of cash. Use all these 'Can't believe we can get miles by...." offers in moderation so we don't lose the offer in the future.
TucsonSam

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TucsonSam