Is it against terms to buy store gift cards to maximize 5% grocery category?

[collics]

For Discover, would it be against some type of rule to buy a "Publix" gift card at Publix for example to still get 5% off for this quarter? 

[Remedios]

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@collics wrote:

For Discover, would it be against some type of rule to buy a "Publix" gift card at Publix for example to still get 5% off for this quarter? 

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I think that depends on a lender.

I've never had any issues with Chase, Discover and even US Bank, but I would advise to do it in moderation. If max spend for quarter is $1500, don't buy $1500 in gift cards, mix them in with organic spend and you should be just fine. 

Don't mess with cash equivalents like visa gift cards. 

[collics]

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@Remedios wrote:

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@collics wrote:

For Discover, would it be against some type of rule to buy a "Publix" gift card at Publix for example to still get 5% off for this quarter? 

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I think that depends on a lender.

I've never had any issues with Chase, Discover and even US Bank, but I would advise to do it in moderation. If max spend for quarter is $1500, don't buy $1500 in gift cards, mix them in with organic spend and you should be just fine. 

Don't mess with cash equivalents like visa gift cards. 

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Thank you. Great advice.

[Anonymous]

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@Remedios wrote:

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Don't mess with cash equivalents like visa gift cards. 

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Right, the T&C's will refer to cash equivalents rather than retail cards.   

The real issue in doing it in non-moderation (always my favorite!) is that credit card issuers don't know (or choose not to know) the difference.   They see out-of-usual $2000 spend at Publix and will think "manufactured spending" (I don't know if Publix sells visa/mc/amex gift cards, but, like the issuer, I will assume that they do) and decide to close your account.   At that point, your relative innocence doesn't matter, they can close at any time, and ....