Triple Dipping w/PayPal, shopping portal, credit card
 

I recently signed up for a PayPal promo that offers 5% cash back for PayPal purchases, starting with the 3rd purchase after sign-up. Max. $20 rebate per purchase, $200 total. Ebay purchases are excluded.

So I made 2 separate purchases of a 4x6 photo for $1 each from Wal-Mart. It's $1 or so because you have pay for shipping to your home to pay with PayPal. Ship to store means you have to pay at the store when you pick them up, and PayPal isn't an option there (as far as I know). Maybe there are cheaper options for the first two purchases, but this way is pretty cheap.

I've been upgrading some computer equipment, and have bought a new Sony computer starting at the Mr. Rebates portal, where Sony offers 4% cash back. Other purchases have been made from Tiger Direct through Mr. Rebates, for a 5% rebate. These are two of many merchants that not only give portal rebates but also accept PayPal.

Then, when paying with PayPal, it's important to make sure you catch the screen that offers you the chance to change your method of reimbursing PayPal from your bank account to a miles- or points-earning or cashback credit card you have registered with PayPal.

For my recent purchases, I've used my Starwood Amex, so valuing the SPG points at $0.025 each, I've triple-dipped my way to a total of 12.5% rebate on the Tiger Direct purchases, and 11.5% for the computer, at least up to the $20 per purchase PayPal cap.

Was this a targeted offer sent to you or is available to anyone?

Well, I've wondered about that, since I didn't see mention of the PayPal promotion here. In fact, it's now got me wondering if the email was bogus to begin with. I'm gonna go back and take a closer look at the email I received.

Later:

I reviewed the email, it looks legit. It had a link to this site:
https://www.paypal-promo.com/cashbac...slp/index.html

When I click the link from the email, the web address has some code numbers appended to the address, which may be individually-identifying info, so I removed them from the end of the address above.

There was no requirement to provide sensitive information or even click a "register" button, evidently you're automatically enrolled if you get the email. It must be targeted.

It's targeted all right: