Once you’ve been doing manufactured spend for a while, you’ll realize that there are A LOT of gift cards out there. While there are 3 main gift card banks – US Bank, Metabank, and Bancorp, every card is different. For instance, a card with an expiration date of say 06/22 will work at a certain location where the same exact card with expiration date 05/22 may not. A US Bank Mastercard may work while a US Bank Visa may not. And sometimes, a card may not work NOW, but a year later, for some miraculous reason, it starts working. Therefore, you’ll want to create a spreadsheet that is similar to the screenshot above. List all of your gift cards in rows and places where you could potentially use the card in columns. Also list the date of when you tested it. Then start filling it in.
Some things are easy like Vanilla cards only work up to $50 at Walmart, so you don’t need to test that again. But don’t assume that a US Bank Mastercard won’t work at location X just because in the past it did not. Try things every 3 or 6 months. Usually, the BIN (first 6 digits of the gift card) is all you need to test. However, there was an instance where the expiration date mattered, so if you notice your CVS VGC now has a new expiration date, you’ll want to run it through all the locations again. I know…it sounds like a pain, but trust me, you may find a trick that no one else has found. This also helps if you are in a level 3 or 4 group that can divide and conquer the task. You may also find new gift cards or liquidation options as well. And don’t just trust Flyertalk wikis either. Try it yourself!
Don’t rely on memory. Trust me! You will forget! Create this gift card matrix for yourself! For instance, if you don’t have a NW Buxx card yet, but you hear people saying that it works for Citi payments, then FILL IT IN YOUR GIFT CARD MATRIX! Because when you finally get off your ass to get a card, you’ll know where you can liquidate it. Think of it as a Bingo card for MS’ers.
Ok, thanks for the directional. I like your blog and style and attitude. Been slogging through a LOT of stuff, learning (and paying for it sometimes!) But agree, the way to do is try stuff and expand horizons. Flyertalk is a grind for me to follow as that style of posting is hard for me to figure, but getting there.
Ok, so I have a NW Buxx…been loading from Chase, taking cash out and eating the $2 load fee. What is this about being able to pay a Citi with the NW Buxx card? Can you clarify? it has been days since a comment posted.
Google my friend – http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1550209-paying-citi-cards-debit-cards-including-prepaid-debit-cards.html
I recently started reading your articles and love them. But I’m not familiar with every acronym (have a few down from other blogs). Is it possible to creat a stand alone acronym page as a reference (I guess for some newbies like me?) thanks!
Thanks. That crossed my mind; maybe I’ll get around to it, but I’m sure some blogger has already done so. What acronym do you need to know?
I gotta tell you, I love seeing how other people do things like this. I look at my own spreadsheets and can say, “Hmm, that’s a pretty good idea.” or, “Nah, that’s just not my thing.” Thanks for posting.
Question, though – How do you deal with cards that are otherwise identical except for the expiration date? (e.g. Same BIN, same type, same issuer — just a different expiry.) Do you make a separate row as though it’s a different type of card entirely?
Yes Ed. I’d make a new row for new expiry date.
Hi Vinh! Mileswhip sent me over this article because he thought you’d be interested and chatting with me. We’re developing an app to track our travel goals (including GC liquidation and tracking). Check it out @ http://www.trackandhackapp.com and please let me know why you hate it or love it? Love preferred but not required=)
Ashley, I just signed up but couldn’t find a link to download it. It’s not on the Play store. I’ll give you feedback if I can test it out. Let me know.
I’ll email you!
Att 3x on Buxx?
I hear NO on NW Buxx.
Any reports on USB Buxx? NW works for Cap1.
No. Everyone has been hush hush on it. I’ll just test it out myself.
good idea. gotta love spreadsheets in this game. yours are so much prettier than mine though!