Where Can I Buy Amex Gift Cards
Only credit, charge, and debit cards as well as fully registered and approved general purpose reloadable cards may be used to make purchases on the site. Single load cards (e.g. gift cards) may not be used. Gift Cards are not available for sale to HI residents. American Express does not accept payment methods with addresses from the state of HI for Gift Cards.
where can i buy amex gift cards
You can count on finding American Express Gift Cards in just about any brick-and-mortar location that sells a variety of gift cards. For instance, pretty much any drug-store, grocery store, or supermarket.
A frequent target of Amex crackdowns has been gift card purchases. Many people buy gift cards (to be used eventually at stores they frequent) to help meet a minimum spending requirement, but Amex has explicitly forbidden this practice for a while. Now, Doctor of Credit is reporting that the prohibition on gift cards has been expanded to regular everyday points earning. Many Amex cards now feature a section in their terms and conditions describing what constitutes an "eligible purchase" for the purpose of earning points. The screenshot below was taken from the American Express Gold Card and clearly indicates that purchasing a gift card does not count as an eligible purchase, and therefore won't earn any points.
After many years of offering increasing bonuses and perks to attract new customers, card issuers are changing their approach and focusing more on attracting and retaining customers who will be valuable in the long term. You absolutely should not buy gift cards on an Amex to meet your minimum spending requirement, but if you frequently buy gift cards for other reasons it might be time to start looking for a different card to put these purchases on. Be sure to check out TPG's list of top cards for everyday spending and best cards for grocery purchases if you need some new options in your wallet.
Last night, I tried to purchase a Blu Ray DVD player from the Best Buy on Broadway just north of Houston. I paid for a portion of the player with my debit card, and for the other portion, I tried paying with three different American Express gift cards I was given as presents, all of which were purchased in California, one by a friend, one by my brother, and one by my father.
American Express gift cards are great presents because you can use them anywhere American Express is accepted. Buying something with your gift card is very similar to using a regular credit card, and you can make purchases in-person and online. While these gift cards are easy to use, it's important to check your balance before making a purchase to avoid any issues.
Actually, cash or a check is sometimes NOT an option. I have relatives who I will not give cash to because they will blow it on things they shouldnt (specially if the money is meant for their kids), so I opt to give them gift cards to certain stores and restaurants.
My family watched other people in the family lose hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards when the establishment was sold to a new owner that refused to honor them. Yet, they still request and buy gift cards, even the people that lost out!
Sudano then emailed WMAR-2 News Mallory Sofastaii. Sofastaii contacted American Express, who put her in touch with InComm Payments, a separate company that serves as the program manager and processor of American Express gift cards.
Although gift cards may count towards spending thresholds on a credit card, we do not recommend buying gift cards to meet minimum spending requirements that will earn you a welcome bonus as card issuers frown on this practice.
Category gift cards allow you to make purchases with merchants in a specific category. The Everywhere family of Visa gift cards, for example, has categories such as Fashion, Dining, Fuel, Explore, Groceries, and more.
Certain gift cards are not limited to purchases with specific merchants but work with merchants that accept a particular payment processing network. You can purchase Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards that may be used anywhere these payment processing networks are accepted.
Bottom Line: There are several different types of gift cards, including those that only work at a single merchant, those that work at several stores, and gift cards that can be used at any store that uses the same processing network as the gift card. Single-network gift cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express gift cards charge a fee at the point of sale. Regardless of the type of gift card you purchase, prior to making the purchase, be sure to know exactly how and where the gift card can be used.
Hot Tip: If your insurance company takes credit or debit cards, you may be able to purchase Visa or Mastercard gift cards at the supermarket, earn elevated rewards, then pay your insurance bill (which may normally result in just 1x earnings) with your gift cards.
Gas stations often run promotions on gift cards, including for their own brand, single-store gift cards, or Visa/Mastercard gift cards. Picking up a gift card when filling up your tank is an easy way to multiply your rewards. Note that not all gas stations will accept credit cards as payment for a gift card.
\n \n","bonusValuation":" UP's Bonus Valuation*: $960\n \n\n \r\n","disableCardArtLink":false,"accordions":["title":"Why We Like This Card","html":"The Citi Premier\u00ae Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!\n \n","title":"Pros & Cons","pros":"\r\n \t3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases\r\n \tAccess to Citi transfer partners\r\n \tAnnual hotel credit\r\n \tNo foreign transaction fees\r\n\r\n ","cons":"\r\n \t$95 annual fee\r\n\r\n ","title":"Card Highlights","welcomeBonus":"\r\n \tEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou\u00ae Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening\r\n \tEarn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets\r\n \tEarn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels\r\n \tEarn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases\r\n \tAnnual Hotel Savings Benefit\r\n \t60,000 ThankYou\u00ae Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com\r\n \tNo expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card\r\n \tNo Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases\r\n\r\n ","cardCategories":["id":107610,"text":"Credit Card Reviews","link":"\/credit-cards\/reviews\/","id":21,"text":"Best Travel Credit Cards","link":"\/credit-cards\/travel-rewards-credit-cards\/","id":55995,"text":"Best Welcome Bonus Offer Credit Cards","link":"\/credit-cards\/best-sign-up-bonuses\/"],"rewardsCenter":"Citi ThankYou Rewards\r\n\r\n ","financialSnapshot":["id":1,"text":"Foreign Transaction Fees: None"],"title":"More Reads","html":"Benefits of the Citi PremierAuthorized User Benefits of the Citi PremierChase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Citi Premier Card [Detailed Comparison]Best Citi Credit CardsBest Credit Card Welcome Bonus OffersBest Travel Credit CardsBest Credit Cards for Groceries and SupermarketsBest Virtual Credit Cards"],"aprText":"20.74% - 28.74% Variable"})) Earning 3x ThankYou Points on gas purchases, air travel/hotels, and at supermarkets and restaurants makes the Citi Premier card a good choice for everyday purchases, including at gas stations.
Bottom Line: Merchants and service providers offered as quarterly bonus categories may sell gift cards that could help you maximize earnings each quarter on your rewards-earning credit card.
It always pays to scroll through your Amex Offers for deals on gift cards. An example of a recent offer was a $15 statement credit for a purchase of $100 or more in Happy Gift cards. Since Happy Gift cards charge no additional fees, you could make $15 on the deal.
Not all gift cards come with activation fees, but if you purchase single-network cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, expect to pay fees as much as $6.95 per card. In order to to make economic sense, the rewards you receive should offset any fees charged.
Additionally, be aware that some e-gift cards may be sold by third parties and not the bonus-category-earning merchant you had hoped for. An example might be hotel or airline-branded gift cards that may be sold by Points.com.
Purchasing gift cards with a credit card can be an easy way to earn a lot of rewards. And, while purchasing an occasional gift card should be perfectly fine, purchasing a large volume could raise red flags with the card issuer.
Check out the merchants you frequent to see if gift cards are sold, then purchase a lower-value gift card using your credit card that earns bonus rewards. If all goes well, you may have found the best card for you for purchasing gift cards. 041b061a72