Deal has expired, view more Simon Mall deals here.
The Offer
Direct Link to offer (check your local Simon’s website)
- Buy American Express gift cards at Simon Mall locations with no purchase fee.
The Fine Print
- Limit one per transaction.
- Offer valid 10/8/18 – 10/21/18 only on participating Gift Cards purchased at Simon Guest Services or the Mall Office, while supplies last.
- Gift Cards cannot be redeemed as payment for featured Gift Card promotions.
- The American Express® Simon Giftcard® can be used at U.S. merchants that accept American Express® Cards, except cruise lines and casinos. The Card cannot be used at ATMs or for recurring payments. The Card cannot be redeemed for cash, except where required by law. Funds do not expire. Additional limitations apply. The American Express® Simon Giftcard® is issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation. For more information, customer service, or Cardholder Agreement, visit simongiftcard.com, Simon Guest Services or the Mall Office.
Our Verdict
Not aware of any credit card category coding that you’ll gain by racking up spend at Simon Mall and Amex gift cards need to be spent down regularly. Only play I see here is for someone who is bumping up against a spend requirement or if you just need these to give as a gift. Not sure if the limit-1-per-transaction is enforced. Just keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to use American Express cards to purchase these
Hat tip to PointsLover on r/churning
View Comments (51)
Has anyone seen if these post as department or specialty stores for US Bank Cash+ 5% categories?
US Bank Cash+ specifically list all merchants that fall into their "department store" category.
That us, Saks on 5th does. Lord and Taylor doesn't.
Go figure.
Not related but Citi is offering a $500 bonus. https://banking.citi.com/cbol/18/checking/500/default.htm?channel=display2&promo_ID=4BMPU3AK2HDALO&cmp=BAC~02~181002~BANKACQS~Oath~Checking~500&BT_TX=1&ProspectID=5B269941AC9C4B22B9116587B1AEB204
Thanks, already posted
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Could it be used on plastiq?
Yeah, should work (for payees which Platiq allows Amex).
Thank you, Chuck!
But Plastiq fees would nullfiy that advantage..............right?
I don't see why someone would want to use an Amex gc on Plastiq instead of just using their credit card directly.
this is going to be insane. geez. im gonna look the other way...
PROBLEM IS, HOW/WHERE TO LIQUIDATE these AMEX Gc'S!!!!!
Easy. Put them on the counter at a Macdonalds and tell the cashier to convert them into money orders. Get a good stack so you get the most done in one trip.
... Just kidding, nobody do this. I just read something similar sometime ago.
Please share that link!!!
" The Card cannot be redeemed for cash, except where required by law. "
Is there such a place?
I read prepaid2cash buys the prepaids BUT for stiff fees like 5% of the amount plus $1.50 fee and you're paid in 3 to 4 business days to your bank acct. I guess this is a safeguard to make sure the seller does not drain the cards they're selling that's why payment is not instant.
I don't think these count as gift cards, but in California you can redeem gift cards valued at under $5.00 for cash.
what is the downside of an Amex? I was looking at grabbing a $500 one at Sam's for the Dosh/Freedom cashback and plan on using for organic spend like insurance.
You’d get better rates by just using your card to begin with, rather than organic spending VGCs.
But you get 5% at Sam’s. Say you Buy a $500 VGC that’s at least $20 Profit you’d need to have at least a 3% Category card to be able to match the profit you’re getting.
5% with Freedom and another 5% with Dosh or Yelp. That's at least a $40 profit, so you'd need an 7-8% category card. That's worth it to pay insurance and other expenses that don't fall under any category spending.
Amex offer 10% statement credit on an insurance bill.
Wasn't targeted either.
Only up to $20 though
I left my Sams Membership expire last year and opted for Costco.
Does same have the $500 VGC's back in stock? If yes, i can rejoin the club. Please let me know
Only up to $250 in Visa at my Club. Only Amex goes to $500.
Yikes.........$250 with same fee as $500, not worth it..........Guess will skip Freedom 5% CB for this quarter!!!!!!
No need at all to skip. Just go to BJs, they sell OVs up to 500 for 4.95.
5.95 for me...
BJs has membership too right? How many to get. Costco Sam BJs 😩
Not only that...their OVs are MCGC, not Visa and they're a PITA to drain at DG/FG/grocery stores.
They are not debit cards and cannot be used to purchase money orders, and never qualify for reduced fee payments for tax or other purposes. For your purposes this is fine.
Thanks LAG and whodidntante. All my Walmarts don't allow MO with Visa gift cards so I just use the discounted Visas for organic spend. Wish I had the time to explore other avenues. Though I suppose having too much work is a blessing as well.
You work for a living when you could be living off CC points and bank bonuses?!
Downside for most is no pin; therefore, credit, not debit processing = no liquidation possibility.
Only downside for organic spend would be that some merchants don't accept AMEX.
Is it possible to unload these into amex serve online? They are amex cards after all.
I get this message when trying to add this as a cc
"Due to technical difficulties we are unable to process your request at the moment. Please try again at a later time. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Never bought gcs at Simon. Would it be possible to buy these with Sampay?
No it’s physical CC payment only
Could be good to reach spend on the Amex BGR offer spend $5,000 for 20K and $10,000 for 30K which ends 10/15.
Simon online purchases posts as GIFTCARDS which makes it easy for the RATS to deny bonus
Amex doesn't award bonus points for spend at Simon
Wondering if Amex Platinum $5K @ Simon gets the bonus (2.5K extra, 7.5K total MR points). I'm guessing not, but have never tried it.