The Offer
Direct Link (sample zip code to see the offer: 19702)
- AAA members can purchase Visa gift cards with no purchase fee at any AAA location in the Mid-Atlantic (Locator)
The Fine Print
- Valid from May 1 – June 30
- Must be AAA member to purchase
- Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 with 12 consecutive months of inactivity
Our Verdict
The deal comes around twice a year, in May and November. This offer is showing for mid-Atlantic AAA locations, and it might be the case in other locations as well. Check your local AAA website for the deal (might be under Finance > Visa Gift Card).
Keep in mind these purchases are tracked to your name and they sometimes shut people down. You can read more about that here or here.
Hat tip to reader jdpinto
wondering if this deal will be “commin’ round here” once again this year…. Past four years, we’d see the notices show up round this time, into the second week of May, even as the promos would also read as beginning May 1st. Called my local AAA # on Friday — but was bounced to a central Delaware AAA office # — and the person there had never heard of the promotion before. (later, she admitted she was “new”) 🙂
Doesn’t seem like it’s going on this year as of now. But this week Staples is selling VGC’s with no fee. What’s the draw for the AAA ones are they up to $500? 🙂
Mr. Mouse, The draw being variety….. 🙂 The Staples/OM current deals are indeed wonderful — for INK cards, but may only last a week. These AAA deals nominally last for up to two months. $500 indeed is the max, though using other CC’s. (and as DoC so well will remind, AAA does keep practical limits on these…) I don’t go too wild….. we may do 3 or 4 in the family each cycle, if that…. and spread out one at a time over different AAA offices. (as they do take a bit of paperwork to fill out each time) Am starting to think the offer may not be back this spring…..
I checked as well, haven’t seen anything yet on the website.
I called and they said not in my area
Checked with my local office in Virginia — and it’s their understanding that the fee free promo will NOT be offered this spring (anywhere apparently). No reasons mentioned, and I didn’t press. (Rep. though was quite certain it wasn’t available this spring) If so, it appears yet another once familiar, if low key, ms method has bit the dust. (for now anyway)
Bummer
Bob: I got shut down at my local store by some lady in the national coporate compliance office–said they would decline to sell me VGC unless I had cash. This week, I went to a different store about 45 minutes from the other (and under the care of a different regional manager) and managed to buy $1K. I pushed my luck and went to another store even further away and was shut down and told to call complaince.
thanks Chris. See my above comment for my experience today.
ran into a 2k limit in Virginia on these. Asked and rep said nationwide policy. I don’t know if I believe that but wasnt about to make a scene.
Bob: I bought 22 $500 cards–split transaction between two credit cards. Only did it once–but I had to go to a Regional Manager to convince the front line staff to do it.Hope to go again this week.
How did things go this week?
I bought 11K in Cincinnati area…but they initially denied me. I reached out on Twitter and then the regional manager called me–he took care it. Told me they’d complete (internally) some sort of IRS form. Nice play on my NBA BBVA and Barclay arrival + cards (split payment)
How often and at what quantities did you do the 11k? i.e. all at once, spaced out, 1 a week etc.
Trying to get a sense for how much/how often I can buy these wo getting shut down
How many cards/ and how often did you buy to do the 11k? Trying to get a sense for AAA’s limits.
FYI,
Hudson Valley AAA in Albany, NY area also has these no-purchase-fee Visa Gift cards through the end of June. I just confirmed that with them, (518) 426-1000, although it’s not mentioned on their website. https://www.hudsonvalley.aaa.com/financial/visa-gift-cards
I bought some, issued by Metabank, can verify card’s balance at https://aaa.myprepaidbalance.com/
My local AAA says limit one with credit card. That’s weird because last time it was limit two. Will try again next month.
I am a former member. Used the marketing AAA card they sent me in the mail and it worked in Maryland.
Followup: I successfully bought 6 cards for 3K spend and then was subsequently denied when I tried to buy 12 cards.
They told me that the cards were only for sale for gifts.
Totally made up on the spot policy.
Cards are issued by Metabank.
How often and at what quantities did you do the 3k? i.e. all at once, spaced out, 1 a week etc.
Trying to get a sense for how much/how often I can buy these wo getting shut down
How many cards/ and how often did you buy to do the 6k? Trying to get a sense for AAA’s limits.
Six at once 500 each.
Does AAA sell Traveller’s check?
Sadly Northeast (CT/RI/MA) didn’t work. Type in my zipcode and got “Sorry! We weren’t able to find the page you were looking for. Below are a few related links you may find helpful:”
Penny…I had the same issue too when I clicked on the direct link above. Its because it was directing you to the Mid-Atlantic AAA website and based on your IP address it will redirect you to the Northeast AAA website which has no page for this deal. Instead I called my local AAA location and asked about the deal and the lady told me yes this deal is currently going on. I just stopped at my local AAA location today to buy 2 giftcards and when the lady rung me up, the system auto populated the fee to be $0. So I think this is a nationwide deal just not advertised on each regional AAA website. Give your local location a call and find out. Goodluck.