Update: As of 4/5 CVS is no longer accepting credit cards for Vanilla Reload purchases. As I predicted, the news that CVS would implement a cash-only policy for Vanilla Reloads was simply a regional change. That didn’t stop folks from going on a buying spree this weekend (guilty) and the corresponding Flyertalk thread exploding with … Read more
So much for my internet fast. There has been a lot of speculation about CVS adopting a “cash only” policy for Vanilla Reloadson March 31. I commented on this possible development and offered some tips on what to do if this does happen. While I’m not concerned about how this affects manufactured spending, I did … Read more
4/2/14 Update: CVS will in fact be implementing a cash-only policy nationwide on April 4, 2014. I took a break from my self-imposed internet fast this morning when Tim sent me the following message and picture on Twitter: For those of us picking up our second, third, fourth, of fifth Citi AAdvantage Executive card, the idea of Vanilla Reloads going … Read more
Debit cards are a great manufactured spending tool if you have less than stellar credit and can’t get approved for reward cards. For seasoned credit card churners, mile-earning debit cards present a cheap way to supplement and diversify manufactured spending. Below is a list of debit cards that earn miles, along with the different methods … Read more
This may have slipped past you, but I’m a big fan of Southwest Airlines. They’re a great airline, are fair with their customers, and have a revenue-based award chart that comes in handy for cheap, short-haul flights. That last bit is about to change somewhat. As I wrote earlier this year, redemption rates for Wanna … Read more
During this week’s #TRLT chat we’ll be discussing sustainable tourism on the road less traveled. The chat starts at 10 AM (PT)/1 PM (ET) and we’ll be covering the following questions: Q1. What does ‘sustainable travel’ means to you, what is your definition? via @lilyriani Q2. Is it difficult to adjust to sustainable travel on The Road … Read more
Club Carlson must be getting as frustrated with my lack of award redemptions as I am, because they’ve been sending me lots of emails for the past two years, trying to get me to bite and redeem my points. This time, they have sweetened the pot. To give you some context, I got status matched … Read more
Reader David sent me this question over the weekend about ReloadIT and PayPower cards. I thought it would be helpful to publish it because it relates to the recent Manufactured Spending series and brings up a recent trend with PayPower cards: So I found a store that sells $950 Reloadit cards. I don’t know if … Read more
Limit: Varies Fees: $0.25-0.88 per $1,000 (although this varies as well) Where to buy: Walmart MoneyCenter How to Cash Out: Bank deposit, bill pay at bank branch Newbie Guide to Manufactured Spending Though money orders can be purchased at your local Safeway, Kmart and other retailers, not every place will accept debit cards for these purchases. … Read more
Things just keep getting better with the Citi AAdvantage Executive card. This past weekend I wrote that it was possible to two of these cards, with some folks already reporting that the second sign-up bonus posted. Citi was handing these cards out like candy, without giving anyone grief for already having the same card. Now there are reports … Read more