Tag Archives: Gift Cards

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Before Closing Wells Fargo Propel World AMEX Credit Card, Get $100 Airline Reimbursement

Good afternoon everyone.  During last week’s rundown of credit cards who charged me an annual fee in March, I wrote about my Wells Fargo Propel World American Express Credit Card.  In that post, I mentioned that this credit card has a $175 annual fee and I could not figure out how Wells Fargo could justify charging $175 for this credit card.  I also reminded myself that this credit card offers a $100 airline reimbursement credit each cardmember year.  And since the annual fee posted on April 2, I figured I was in a new cardmember year.  I then used this credit card to buy a $100 Southwest Airlines egift card.  A few days later, I received the following email regarding the $100 airline reimbursement.

a screenshot of a credit card

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AMEX Membership Rewards Changes: No Points for Cash Equivalents (Gift Cards) & Person-to-Person Payments (Venmo)

Good morning everyone, I was looking through my recent American Express statement and saw an ominous message on my American Express EveryDay Credit Card.  The message said, “See page 5 for a Notice of Change to the Membership Rewards Program Terms & Conditions.”  Uh oh, that sounded pretty bad.  I cautiously scrolled down to page 5 expecting the worst.  What did American Express do?

a screenshot of a credit card

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PSA: You Cannot Use AA Gift Certificates for American Airlines Basic Economy Tickets [Partially True]

Updated 3:30pm PT on 2/8: I just received an update from Brant, here is what he said:

After another lengthy phone call to AA, turns out that the agent I originally talked to yesterday was only half correct. You CAN use GC’s to buy a basic economy fare, which I was told you could not. However, you cannot use residual funds from a canceled ticket purchased with a GC to book another flight in a lower category. The original tickets were in economy and I was trying to use the funds for basic economy. The original agent assumed that this restriction applied to using GC’s to make a basic economy ticket from the start. In other words, bad information.

Sorry for the misinformation everyone  it looks like you can use AA gift cards to buy American Airlines basic economy tickets, but only if the AA funds do not come from a regular American Airlines economy ticket  I hope that makes sense.


Good morning everyone, I just received a Facebook message from my friend, Brant, that I wanted to share with everyone (he said it would be helpful for others to know).  Here is what Brant said:

So, I just got off the phone with American Airlines and after a 30 minute ordeal I discovered something interesting that you might want to write on your blog for those who have been collecting AA gift certificates. I have around $2,700 worth of certificates that I bought using airline credit on AMEX Plat, Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc. Anyway, you cannot purchase a “basic economy” tickets using gift certificates. No way, no how, period even if you have status with AA. Just an interesting but aggravating fact you might want to mention.

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OC Travel Hackers Meetup Saturday, February 3 @ 12pm at In-N-Out (Tustin District)

Good afternoon everyone.  I will be flying down to Orange County this weekend to watch the Super Bowl with my family, so I decided to do a travel hackers meetup on Saturday afternoon.  If you are free this Saturday, I would love to meet you and talk travel, miles and points, MS, and politics blogging.

  • Where: 2895 Park Ave, Tustin, CA 92782 (Google Maps)
  • When: Saturday, February 3 @ 12-2PM

In-N-Out Tustin District Map

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[Winners Announced] Amazon eGift Card Giveaway: What are your MLK Jr. Weekend Plans?

Updated 2:45pm PT on 1/23: Sorry for the delay, here are the 3 winners of a $10 Amazon eGift Card.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway.  I hope you all had a great MLK Jr. Weekend :)

m r a h i grew up in memphis, tn. whenever i go by the lorraine motel, i always wonder how the world might be different had the tragedy of april 4, 1968 never happened. but…it happened. his legacy lives on. i wish he had lived on. whenever anyone sees the full spectrum of colors in a rainbow, it’s a special moment. i wish it could be that way with colors of skin.
todd s. I am going to volunteer at the La Regional Food Bank in honor of MLK!
Art Doing needed yard work, watching NFL playoffs, & planning trip to France.

Good afternoon, happy Friday!  While I am enjoying my Central / South America trip, I wanted to see what you guys are up to this MLK Jr. Weekend.  Since Monday is MLK Jr. holiday, I have the day off at work.  Since my work is paying me not to work, I love to travel on my paid holidays!

Whether you are going on an epic trip like myself, hanging out at home with your kids, or enjoying the weather, I want to know!  I will pick 3 winners and send them a $10 Amazon eGift Card.  To be eligible for the giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me about your MLK Jr. Weekend plans.  You must leave a comment before 11:59pm PT on Monday, January 15.  Winners will be selected sometime on Tuesday, January 16 and I will email them a $10 Amazon eGift Card.  Thank you to everyone who participates in the giveaway and save travels!

a statue of a man in a suit

MLK Statue in Washington, DC. Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/492722015455335079/