Visa Gift Cards at Stop & Shop and Giant- 2x Fuel Points

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Via Doctor of Credit

Stop & Shop and Giant supermarkets are offering 2x fuel points for buying Visa Gift Cards until 3/26/2015.  Normally, Visa Gift Cards do not qualify for any fuel points.



You need to join the loyalty program of Stop & Shop or Giant.



Use the American Express Blue Preferred to get 6% cashback (about $24 after fees for a $500 Visa Gift card) or Chase Freedom to finish off your 5% cashback for this quarter (max of $1,500 in spending for 5% cashback)


Every $100 you spend earns 100 points which is 10 cents a gallon.  $1,000 of spending is $1 off per gallon.  You are earning double points so every $500 Visa Gift Card will you give you $1.00 a gallon off your next purchase of gas at Shell stations near your Stop & Shop.  

$1,000 of Visa Gift Cards will give you $2.00 a gallon off your next purchase of gas at Shell.

Fuel points must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase so only buy what you will use now.

Teaneck, NJ

In my area (Teaneck, NJ), there is a Stop and Shop that is loaded with plenty of $500 Visa Gift Cards and they let you use a credit card.  The maximum savings you can get off one fillup is $2.20 a gallon in my area.  That means you are basically getting a free tank of gas.


You need to hand your Stop & Shop card to the attendant before your gas is pumped to make sure you get the discount.  I have never personally redeemed fuel rewards but according to the Store Locator function, the Shell station on Cedar Lane should allow for redemptions.  That being said, I know that they do not allow for Fuel Rewards Network redemptions so you may have to go to a Shell Station on Route 4 or in Hackensack.

Hold The Phone - Old American Express Blue is Still Available? - Run and Apply!

Update: New applicants are limited to 5% on up to $50,000 of purchases per year.

There are very few credit cards that I get super excited about (that's not actually true, I get super excited about most credit cards).  The old American Express Blue is one of the best out there, but I thought it was long gone.  It is now the mythical Phoenix of credit cards and I'm not complaining

Right now, you can get one too!  I don't know how long it will last, but I wouldn't wait on it if you are interested.

Go to 

https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/blue-cash/25330 

when you are browsing incognito and the card will come up.

Why Do I Care So Much?

That's easy: the reward structure is from a time well before Bluebird and Vanilla Reloads, when American Express could safely give out unlimited rewards at Drug Stores because who spent real money at drug stores anyway.

The reward structure is as follows:

1% cashback for your first $6,500 of spending, after that you will earn 5% cash back at Supermarkets, Gas Stations and select Drugstores (CVS is on the list).

No annual fee and no limits to the 5%!

Let's assume for argument's sake that you spend $5,000 every month on Vanilla Reloads, or $60,000 a year (the limits of one Bluebird account).  Your will basically break even for your first $6,500 because you will only get 1% and you have to pay the fees still.  For your final $53,500 you would get 4.2% of that (5% minus the 0.8% Vanilla reload fee) or $2,247 for free! Considering CVS will allow you to buy $5,000 worth of Vanilla Reloads at one time this wouldn't take very long.

I think that $2,000 a month is reasonable which would get you $735 a year by the same math.

Words of Caution:  You will probably get a Financial Review from American Express if you spend that much every month so make sure to have income to back up what you put down on your application.  Also, be aware that American Express may decide that you are not a good customer to have and not give you any more credit cards in the future.

Slow and steady wins the race, but you should also be aware of what's available to you.

This card is clearly only for those who are willing to put in some effort for some major rewards (ie not for JF), but I think you will find it well worth it if you do.

Check out this point to see why Vanilla Reloads are important and how to load them onto a Bluebird card

7-11 Vanilla Reload Fail!

Disclaimer - The Discover offers are no longer valid.

Recently, I posted that Chase considers 7-11 a gas station and American Express considers 7-11 a supermarket, which is great to know for using the right credit card.  In addition, 7-11 became another merchant that was selling Vanilla Reload cards.  It was the perfect store.

In order to maximize 5% categories, I spent $1,500 on Vanilla Reloads on my Chase Freedom and I had spent another $500 on DISCOVER IT™, hoping to spend another $1,000 on my last trip to 7-11.

I brought two Vanilla Reloads to the clerk and asked to pay with credit card.  I swiped my Discover, and "declined."   I assumed it was a fraud alert that declined the card so I tried a different card and "declined."  I tried four different cards (I was trying for sign up bonuses anyway so I needed to spend money) and they were all declined.

I wasn't sure what was going on so I waited until the beginning of August to see if maybe 7-11 was imposing a monthly limit, but I was declined again.

It seems as though Vanilla Reloads can no longer be bought at 7-11 with a credit card.  It was fun while it lasted.

Since I drafted this post, Frequent Miler is also reporting that 7-11 will not accept credit cards for vanilla reloads.

The Silver Lining

I was still able to buy $500 One Vanilla cards at 7-11 and load them at Walmart to my Bluebird so all is not lost.  5% at groceries is still alive, but less convenient.

The pin on One Vanilla cards is the 4 digits you choose at your first purchase.

Teaneck Research Fail

Whether you are talking about groceries or places to daven, moving means you need to find the best places again and start new routines.

In Buffalo, I spent a lot of time figuring out the best places for deals as well and I think I had a nice thing going.

Now that I live in Teaneck, new research has begun in earnest.  I now have a job so I have less time to do this research, but it will eventually get done.

My first tries at research have not been pretty:


Gas gift cards

• I have been looking to buy gas gift cards bought at the convenience store connected to a gas station.  Here's why:

• Most gas stations in NY and NJ have an annoying, but understandable, policy of charging more for credit cards than cash.  Gift cards are usually priced as cash.  An easy work around is to buy the gift card in the convenience store and use it to pay for your gas.  You are effectively paying with credit cards at the cash price.

• Chase Freedom and Discover are offerring 5% back on gas station purchases from July 1st until the end of September on up to $1,500 of purchases.  I won't spend $500 a month on even one card, but I can stock up on 5% cashback for gas for the rest of the year if I get gift cards.

• No luck so far
• I stopped off on Route 4 at the Exxon, Gulf and Lukoil stations and none of them sofl gift cards.
• I was excited to see that Sunoco was next.  From my experience in Buffalo, I know that at least some of their stores sell gift cards. They indeed sold gift cards but when I tried to pay they told me the dread words "cash only."  Fail!

I will probably end up buying gift cards at a Sunoco station that isn't near me and use them at the Sunoco near me, but stay tuned... More research to continue.

If anyone knows of any gas stations near Teaneck where you can buy gift cards with credit cards, please let me know and everyone wins.

Credit Cards for Your Wallet Q3 2012

Disclaimer - The Discover offers are no longer valid.

Related Links

Best Credit Cards

Credit Card Sign Up Offers

Credit Cards for Groceries 

Credit Cards For Gas 

Extra Credit Cards 

Sign up for Discover and Chase Freedom 5% Categories

These are the Credit and Debit cards that should be in your wallet from July until September.  

American Express Blue Preferred – 6% cash-back at groceries, 3% at gas and 1% everywhere else.  There is a $75 annual fee so it is only for those who spend a lot of money on groceries.

   -$150 sign up bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

Discover it™ - 5% cash-back on gas, theme parks and movie theaters.
   - 5% cashback is actually more than 5%

Chase Freedom – 5% cash-back on gas and movie theaters and 1% cash-back backup everywhere else when American Express is not accepted. You get extra cash-back on up to $1,500 of spending in that category ($75 maximum per quarter) so keep that in mind.

    -$100 sign up bonus for spending $500 in 90 days
    - Save even more with Chase Exclusives (You need a Chase Checking Account)
         - 10% bonus on all cashback and get 10 cents for every purchase, even if the              purchase is one penny

Fidelity American Express Investment Rewards – 2% cash-back everywhere else.

   - This card is always in my wallet - although it has now been replaced by AMEX prepaid cards until I use them up.

Charles Schwab Check Card – Free ATMs at every ATM in the world

   - This card is always in my wallet

Chase Freedom and Discover Credit Cards – 5% cash-back at Amazon, Gas and Movies

Disclaimer - The Discover offers are no longer valid.

Related Links

Best Credit Cards

Discover Gift Cards

Credit Card Sign Up Offers

From now until the end of March, you will get 5% cash-back on purchases from Amazon, Gas and Movies with your Chase Freedom Credit Card.

You will get the same 5% cash-back from Gas on your Discover Credit Card, but not from Amazon unless you signed up via your email  

You only get 5% on up to $1,500 for each card so you can only get up to $75 cash-back on each card.

I like to use the Discover for the 5% categories before the Chase Freedom because you can get an extra 22.5% bonus for redeeming your cash-back via gift cards, which will effectively turn your 5% into 6.225% – link needed

Remember to activate your 5% categories every quarter.

Chase Freedom Activation

Discover Activation

Get $100 for signing up for Chase Freedom

    - You need to spend $500 in the first 3 months

Discover it™

5-6.25% Cash Back on Gas for 6 Months of the Year

Disclaimer - The Discover offers are no longer valid.

Update: bonus is now $100


Get $300 back when you spend $500 in the first 3 months on Chase Freedom.

Get 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent in each quarter on gas for 6 months of the year (Jan-March and July-Sep). 

      - Remember to sign up for the categories before every quarter.

The 2012 5% Cash Back quarterly categories have come out for Chase Freedom and Discover it™.  

For Discover, your 5% can turn into 6.25% when you use your rewards for gift cards.  With many companies (my family gets Bed Bath and Beyond cards), you can redeem $20 of rewards for a $25 card.  This effectively adds 25% to your rewards.

Credit Cards for Gas

Penfed credit card - 1% back on everything and 5% back on all gas purchases.

Bank of America Cash Rewards - 3.3% back on gas, 2.2% on groceries, and 1.1% on everything else after 10% bonus for redeeming into a Bank of America account.  $100 bonus for spending $500 in first 90 days.

American Express Blue Preferred - 3% on gas, 6% on groceries, 1% on everything else.  Has a $75 annual fee


American Express Blue - 2% on gas, 3% on groceries, 1% on everything else. 

I Only Want One Credit Card, Help!

I get this question frequently.  It usually goes something like this, "There are too many cards to choose from and I don't want to have too many cards in my wallet , so which card should I get?"

People usually only want one card because of one or all of the following reasons: They don't want their credit score affected by opening too many cards, don't want a bulky wallet, others don't want to keep track of so many cards both in terms of bills and when to use what card.

The answer to this question is a little complicated.  Different cards are right for every person depending on their spending habits.


When some ask this question, often they mean that they don't want many cards but if they have 2, or maybe even 3 cards, that's okay.  Someone who falls into this category should continue towards the end.  The first section will be dedicated to someone who wants one card only.  I highly recommend more than one card because of the great rewards available if you are willing to have an American Express card, but here are the best non AE cards that I know of:


I would like to start by saying that only one of these cards has an annual fee (American Express Blue Cash Preferred) but if you spend a lot of money on groceries or gas this fee is worth it.

If anyone has a credit card that they like to use please leave a comment and if it is superior I will update the blog.

One Card Only:

If you are only going to have one card, the best card depends upon how you usually spend your money.  However, I would suggest a visa or mastercard, not an american express so that your card is accepted everywhere (unless you carry plenty of cash with you anyway)

I don't have any specific categories that I spend money in:
There are probably three cards to choose from for this person.

1) Fidelity Visa Card/Capital One Cash Rewards - both give you 1.5% back for every purchase.  The capital one card gives you 1% back and then gives you another .5% at the end of the year but there is a sign up bonus of $100 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.  The Fidelity card gives you 1.5% back once you reach a certain threshold of rewards (I don't have their Visa - I have the Fidelity American Express which gives you $50 after you spend $2,500).  The annoying thing with the Fidelity card is that you need a Fidelity account, which requires a one time $2,500 deposit, which can be transferred out once the account has been opened.

2) Chase Freedom - 1% back on every purchase but 5% back in rotating categories, which last a few months (currently Gas and travel purchases) - up to $75 back for each category.  For a calender of what gets you 5% back, go to chase.com/freedom.   Plus you can get a $100 sign up bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months.

I spend a lot of money on gas and groceries

There is really only one visa or mastercard that I know of that is right for you.

Bank of America Cash Rewards - this card gets you the regular 1% back on every purchase but gives you an additional 3% back on gas and 2% back on groceries.

I spend a whole lot of money on gas

Penfed credit card - 1% back on everything and 5% back on all gas purchases.  Beware of this card.  I tried to get it and you have to go through a whole bunch of hoops to qualify.  I was unable to get it (mostly because of a lack of income) even though I have qualified for every other credit card.


I am willing to have two cards:

If you are willing to have more than one card I would suggest an American Express credit card as your standard card and a visa or mastercard as your second card for when your AE is not accepted.


I don't have any specific categories that I spend money in:

Best overall card is the Fidelity American Express - this card gives you 2% back on everything.  There are drawbacks.  Read this link for more information on advantages and disadvantages of this card.

I spend a lot of money on gas and groceries:

American Express Blue, American Express Blue Preferred and Bank of America Cash Rewards - The regular American Express Blue gives you 1% back on everything, 3% on groceries and 2% on gas.  The Bank of America card gives you 1% back on everything, 2% on groceries and 3% on gas.  You have to see whether you spend more more on groceries or more money on gas to decide between the two.
The American Express Blue Preferred gives you 1% back on everything, 6% back on groceries and 3% back on gas.  Unfortunately, it has an annual fee of $75.  However, if you spend $500 in the first 60 days you get $100 so the first year the annual fee can be a non issue.
If you spend just $2,500 a year on groceries you would get $75 back for the 3% card and $150 for the 6% card.  
For more reading on these cards take a look at this link. 

Get 3-6% Cash Back on Groceries and 2-3% Cash Back on Gas! - American Express Blue Cash and Blue Cash Preferred

American Express Blue Cash

Advantages:

1) 3% cash back on Groceries and 2% cash back on Gas and Department stores

2) No limits on how much you can get back

3) No annual fee

Disadvantages:

1) Superstores and Warehouse clubs do not count so Walmart Superstores, Costco and BJ's will likely not count for this deal.

2) It is an American Express so it is not as accepted but chain stores almost always accept American Express.

3) Another credit card to carry.  It is up to you to make a cost benefit analysis of whether it is worth the money to carry around a few cards.


Keep in mind that if you have the Fidelity American Express you are already getting 2% back on everything so only need to use this card for groceries.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred

This is a big improvement from the old American Express Blue.  You used to have to spend $6,500 before you got any big rewards, not anymore!

Advantages:

1) 6% cash back on Groceries and 3% cash back on Gas and department stores.

2) No limits on how much money you can get back

Disadvantages:

1) There is a $75 annual fee.  However, if you spend $500 in the first 60 days you get $100 so the first year the annual fee can be a non issue.

2) Superstores and Warehouse clubs do not count so Walmart Superstores, Costco and BJ's will likely not count for this deal.


3) It is an American Express so it is not as accepted but chain stores almost always accept American Express.

4) Another credit card to carry.  It is up to you to make a cost benefit analysis of whether it is worth the money to carry around a few cards.

Which one should I get?

If you spend more than $50 a week on groceries, which is most people, you should go for the annual fee card.  I am not normally a fan of annual fee cards but when they offer rewards like this card you can make back the fee very quickly.