This is going to be boring and predictable. I’ve taken a break from manufactured spending (and blogging) the last couple of weeks. I got back into it last week with a single trip to Simon Mall. That’s mainly because I’m going to Turkey today and generally, I try not to take on too much manufactured spending the week before a trip. But I couldn’t resist one final Simon Mall run. Plus, my brother was in town and willing to help me liquidate some extra cards that came in the mail.
I made a $10,000 Visa gift card purchase at Simon Mall, resulting in $39.50 in fees. Factoring in money order fees, I paid $48.30 total out of pocket. I split this transaction between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Korean SkyPass Card. In total, I earned 1,800 SkyPass miles and roughly 8,239 Ultimate Rewards points.
That’s not a huge haul. But the Ultimate Rewards will offset what I’m spending on two hotel nights during my trip. I’ve written about how the Ultimate Rewards Travel site has some pretty incredible deals. You can often stretch your points further by booking travel through the site than by transferring points to airlines or hotel reward programs.
While it’s a small number of points, it’s always nice to see your rewards balance bounce back when you return from a trip. Plus, it’s good to stay in the habit by regularly churning gift cards. I definitely get motivated to churn more by writing these weekly posts and when readers share photos of their money order runs on Facebook.
I’ve got one last money order run to do today and then I’m paying off my credit cards before I leave. Some of those payments aren’t due for another month, but I always pay off cards if they’re due or the statement closing date is coming up while I’m gone. That way, I can relax without having to check my credit card spreadsheet to make sure everything is on track.
How much manufactured spending have you done this week?
[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe via email for more points, miles and free travel”]
Have you noticed the price of money orders going up? I seen $.98 and $1.00 at my local walmart.
Yes, they went to $1.00 at my WM
I would actually prefer a nice round number like that, even if it’s a little higher than the current fee.
$.88 today at my local one.
One of my readers reported the same. I think it’s regional.
1/11/20
WF Business Platinum 1.5x – $2K
BA+ 2x – $2K
PNC BusinessOptions 1.5x – $9K
Southwest Priority 1x – $7K (Going for CP)
1/18/20
BA+ – $3K
PNC BO – $10K
Discover It Miles (New card this month) – $2K
Discover It Miles (New card this month) (P2) – $2K
Citi Double Cash 2x – $3K
what are you planning to use your Korean miles for? esp now when they will be devaluing the awards?
Ariana I am always captivated by your monthly MS posts, partly because I do not have the time to make it all happen, and partly because the WM in my area won’t allow MO purchases with GCs. Very jealous, but will continue living vicariously through you!
Ha! Glad to hear it.
Standing in line at Simon’s now! Just left one WM & going to another
Still $.88 today
I’m new and setup an account with Simon Malls through my business account. I can purchase up to 25k each order. I just have no way of liquidating. Is WM the only legit place?
For test run, I ‘ve tried check cashing locations, they are clever. They let you use any card you want but run the transaction as an ATM withdrawal (rounds up in 5’s and a $2.50 charge), purchase the MO (1.49) and then give you cash change as difference.
I’ve tried Flying J gas stations, very helpful people but transaction comes out as “Not Approved”.
I’ve tried one WM, the lady asked to see my card riiiight before I swiped and then told me she couldn’t accept that card..it had to be tied to a Bank Acct.
Not many WM at ALL around me. Should I just try using different GC’s?
Citi DC – 38884 = 777 CB
Fidelity – 39400 = 788 CB
PenFed – 9900 = 198 CB
Ducks – 15000 = 750 CB ( 5% @ 711 )
Chase Ink -14000 =70000 UR – Staples
Hilton Bus.- 6000 = 36000 HH ( 6 PPD @ 711).
CB and points are before all fees.
Fantastic! Are you finding that Fidelity, PenFed, and Citi DC are insensitive to MS and are you cycling their credit limits?
So far so good.
Been cycling credit limits on DC, Fid. & PF 3 X mo. for last 2 years.
Great! Thank you for the info! I have been hesitant to cycle my credit limits but feel it is worth trying now!
i like the post thanks for sharing
Just checking in, I belive this is an older post as Walmart MO were shut down back in 2020. Just wondering if anyone has any recent luck trying to liquate Visa GC at Walmart into Money orders? I would love to start up again.
Unfortunately it’s not an option at most locations anymore. Last I checked, they had hard-coded their registers to reject gift cards.