Comments on: American Express Gift Card Promotion at Walgreens

By: David

David — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:30:05 +0000

Excellent comment! Thanks George!

By: George

George — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:36:58 +0000

I think the good way is to use it to pay ur utility bills or even at costco.

you should be able to get gas cards much cheaper than amex gc.

BTW, if u use chase card (5% rebate on grocery) to buy amex GC at walgreen,

buy 3 for $25 each, the rebate will cover the activation fee basically. What u get in return is extra 4% return.

Better deal is if u can get it with walgreen gift card.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:40:58 +0000

Hi,

I have a Chase Cash Reward credit card which offers 5% cash back for gas, drug store, and grocery.

My question, if I use this card to buy AMEX GC at Walgreens, would that be categorized as a purchase at drug store?

Anyone has any input/experience? Thanks!

By: David

David — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:05:52 +0000

I think it’s good idea. However, the activation fees kill it. If you have a BP visa card which will give you 10% cash back at BP locations, you can get 10% for buying gift cards at BP locations.

By: Samuel

Samuel — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:39:03 +0000

Hi Cardoffer, this is what I got from AE’s website, ” If you use your Gift Card to purchase gasoline, we recommend that you pay inside, not at the pump. If you pay at the pump, the terminal may be pre-programmed to confirm that you have sufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to pay for an average purchase of gas. Before you are permitted to pump gas, many pumps seek a pre-authorization for $75 and this amount could increase from time to time (“Pre-Authorization Request”). If you have insufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the Pre-Authorization Request, your attempt to use your Gift Card at the pump will be declined. If you have sufficient Available Funds on your Gift Card to cover the Pre-Authorization Request, you will be permitted to continue your transaction at the pump. However, if the dollar amount of your actual gasoline purchase is less than the amount of the Pre-Authorization Request that we approved, a “hold” on your Available Funds will result equal to the difference between the two amounts. Once the Merchant sends us the final amount of your actual gasoline purchase, we will remove the “hold” on your Available Funds for any additional amount exceeding this final amount. This may take 3 to 7 days and during this period you will not be able to use any Available Funds in a “hold” position. TO AVOID A DECLINE OF, OR A HOLD ON, YOUR GIFT CARD, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU PREPAY FOR YOUR GASOLINE INSIDE THE STATION.”

Just FYI, we’d better pay inside for gas when using AE’s gift cards

By: David

David — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:56:04 +0000

Hi Samuel. Thank you so much!!!! I usually use $25 Shell gift card at the Shell gas stations. It works perfectly for me.Maybe AMEX gift cards use different transaction system.