Question about using Amex Blue Cash Preferred to Purchase Gift Cards

[MrDisco99]

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@Jordan23ww wrote:

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

Amex has rewritten the terms of their rewards programs to exclude cash equivalents from purchases that are eligible for earning rewards.  This includes gift cards.  

It's likely this is small enough they won't notice and you'll get 6% and everything will be fine.  Severe AA like shutdowns appear to be limited to activity relating to signup bonuses, but they have language they can point to if they just want to deny your rewards.

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@MrDisco99  Thank you for this feedback! I appreciate it!

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Glad to help.

I'll just add... Everyone has a different risk tolerance.  If it was me, though, I wouldn't do it.

[Anonymous]

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

Amex has rewritten the terms of their rewards programs to exclude cash equivalents from purchases that are eligible for earning rewards.  This includes gift cards.  

It's likely this is small enough they won't notice and you'll get 6% and everything will be fine.  Severe AA like shutdowns appear to be limited to activity relating to signup bonuses, but they have language they can point to if they just want to deny your rewards.

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I don't think Apple gift cards are cash equivalents.

[MrDisco99]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

Amex has rewritten the terms of their rewards programs to exclude cash equivalents from purchases that are eligible for earning rewards.  This includes gift cards.  

It's likely this is small enough they won't notice and you'll get 6% and everything will be fine.  Severe AA like shutdowns appear to be limited to activity relating to signup bonuses, but they have language they can point to if they just want to deny your rewards.

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I don't think Apple gift cards are cash equivalents.

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The language in the terms is not specific.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/many-amex-cards-no-longer-earn-points-on-gift-card-purchases/#:~:text=Many%20Amex%20Cards%20No%20Longer%20Earn%20Points%20on%20Gift%20Card%20Purchases,-Ethan%20Steinberg&text=A%20frequent%20target%20of%20Amex,this%20practice%20for%20a%20while.

[Jordan23ww]

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

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@Jordan23ww wrote:

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

Amex has rewritten the terms of their rewards programs to exclude cash equivalents from purchases that are eligible for earning rewards.  This includes gift cards.  

It's likely this is small enough they won't notice and you'll get 6% and everything will be fine.  Severe AA like shutdowns appear to be limited to activity relating to signup bonuses, but they have language they can point to if they just want to deny your rewards.

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@MrDisco99  Thank you for this feedback! I appreciate it!

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Glad to help.

I'll just add... Everyone has a different risk tolerance.  If it was me, though, I wouldn't do it.

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@MrDisco99  After reading the replies from yourself and others I'm leaning towards not doing it. The risk doesn't seem worth the reward.  I'd hate to have 1 or any of my Amex cards closed or get blacklisted for a little extra money.  

I already have cards that I can get 3% cash back (Apple Card)  or 5% in store reward points back (Best Buy) on for this purchase! If I messed up my Amex relationship, after working so hard to get it, I'd be extremely upset! Thank you again and everyone else for all the feedback and sharing their opinions and experiences!

[Anonymous]

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@Jordan23ww wrote:

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

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@Jordan23ww wrote:

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@MrDisco99 wrote:

Amex has rewritten the terms of their rewards programs to exclude cash equivalents from purchases that are eligible for earning rewards.  This includes gift cards.  

It's likely this is small enough they won't notice and you'll get 6% and everything will be fine.  Severe AA like shutdowns appear to be limited to activity relating to signup bonuses, but they have language they can point to if they just want to deny your rewards.

---

@MrDisco99  Thank you for this feedback! I appreciate it!

---

Glad to help.

I'll just add... Everyone has a different risk tolerance.  If it was me, though, I wouldn't do it.

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@MrDisco99  After reading the replies from yourself and others I'm leaning towards not doing it. The risk doesn't seem worth the reward.  I'd hate to have 1 or any of my Amex cards closed or get blacklisted for a little extra money.  

I already have cards that I can get 3% cash back (Apple Card)  or 5% in store reward points back (Best Buy) on for this purchase! If I messed up my Amex relationship, after working so hard to get it, I'd be extremely upset! Thank you again and everyone else for all the feedback and sharing their opinions and experiences!

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Personally I think the risk is vanishingly small (if you buy smaller amounts among other grocery purchases) but not quite 0, so if you feel the potential risk isn't worth the gain, then obviously don't.   And in this case where you were planning on spending $2000, the 3% gain using the BCP over the Apple card is only $60, so any level of concern is probably too much!

Also, I don't know what protections you get buying with Apple gift cards.  Some credit cards will give additional purchase protections (although these things are getting harder to find)