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Through December 8th (or maybe through November 27th):
TopCashBack is offering 2.25% cash back for American Express gift cards. Their usual rate lately has been 2% cash back. BigCrumbs is currently offering 2% cash back.
Currently there is some confusion about when this promotion ends since the site shows both “Expiration: Dec 08 2013” and “Ends in 2 Days”. I’ll find out for sure and edit this post once I have confirmation.
Even though both portals claim that you cannot use a coupon code not found on their site, I’ve had luck earning cash back with both portals despite using codes. Most recently I’ve successfully used code HOLIDAYCC4 to waive gift card fees. You’ll still have to pay for shipping, but you could get that waived too by signing up for a free trial of their $99 unlimited shipping option.
Signup links for both TopCashBack and BigCrumbs can be found on my Sign-up Links Page.
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I’m also confused by the TCB “limit of $500 per gift card” verbiage. The limit per card on Amex’s site is $500 anyway. Does TCB’s verbiage mean $500 per order? Or can I order 10 $500 gift cards in the same transaction get 2.25% on the total?
It means $500 per card. I don’t think it is enforced. You can skirt the limit by buying personalized cards
I made this mistake of buying a 3k card rather than 6 $500 cards. Anyone have any experience with whether topcash will grant it?
It should work, but please let us know
After 7 days it had not shown up so I cancelled the order through AMEX and just reordered $500 cards. How long does it usually take for them to credit on topcash?
Banana Republic is giving out 20% off coupons for Virgin America today.
Bought 5k as 10 $500 gc. $48 activation and shipping. It says that using coupon codes can void the cashback so I didn’t risk it.
I found this on flyertalk
TopCashBack is currently 2.25% (updated 25 Nov.) BigCrumbs is currently 2.0% + 0.175% (referrer) + 0.175% (2 deep referrer)Likely CAs on:-Chase-Barclays (some cards, not Arrival or US Airways)-Citi-CapOne-DiscoverIt (11/21)Recently shown as a purchase on:-Amex-BofA – Alaska (10/24)-Barclay Arrival (10/24; 11/01)-Barclay US Airways-Discover (10/18)-Club Carlson (11/19)-Discover More (11/21)
FAQ
How do I set PIN on AMEX Gift Cards?You cannot set PIN.
How do I cash out AMEX Gift Cards?Use manufactured spend techniques or normal spend where AMEX is accepted.
Why buy AMEX Gift Cards then?To reduce the cost of manufactured spend, to mask your manufactured spend (i.e unusual high spend at Target or CVS), earn additional cash back on spend, or meet minimum spend targets faster.
topcashback has the following note:
Please note; there is a limit of $500 per gift card, anything higher will not be eligible for cashback.
Has anyone tried buying higher denominations? is this new?
Its fairly new — as of maybe 5 monrths ago or so. I’ve heard from some readers that when they skirt the limit (by buying personalized cards up to $3K each) they still got cash back
Interesting point on the codes to get the fee waived – quick question though, has anyone ever had their cashback denied due to using one of them? I know all of them state that it will invalidate it, and you’ve had success, but have you ever had one denied, or have any readers?
I’ve never heard of that happening, but its always possible. It hasn’t happened to me.
So, if I am getting $1000 gift card for 977.50, I can then liquidate it on Amazon Payments for 970.
That means that I could buy points through this for $0.007. That sounds like an amazing deal. Am I missing anything?
Well, its even better than that. You would get $1000 from Amazon Payments, not $970. Keep in mind that cash back can take months to become payable. Also, there is some chance of the order getting classified as a cash advance rather than a purchase and so if that happened, the cash advance fees would wipe out your earnings.
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Well, I am already spending $1000/mo on Amazon payments, so this would be in addition to that, so the marginal return would be $970, if I understand the game right. My understanding is that AMEX is good for the purchase, Citi will charge cash advance, and Chase may shut down your account. Is that your understanding as well?
Chase will code as Cash Advance as well.
Are you sure? Comment #6 seems to disagree. http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthewing/2011/07/24/using-amex-gift-cards-to-the-meet-minimum-spend-requirements-for-credit-card-signup-bonuses/
It’s new in the last two months.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1412472-topcashback-2-25-amex-gift-cards-but-changes-fees-bigcrumbs-2-a.html
Chase no longer codes these as cash advances (they did so for about a month or two)
What are these Amex gift card purchases coded as when using a Bank of America, Barclays, or US Bank credit card? Does it code as a regular transaction or a cash advance in those scenarios?
Great question. Right now, the only credit cards that I’m sure are safe from cash advance fees are American Express credit cards. Recently, Chase started charging cash advances for these, but that seems to have changed in the past week or so. I launched an experiment this morning with my Chase card to see, but I haven’t tried BoA, Barclays, or US Bank.
I can confirm Barclays is fine on custom biz gift cards. Did a 2k last month and posted as purchase and got points.