This is a pretty good idea to get around the difficulty of using AMEX cards for earning points. PerthHacks suggest buying Westfield gift cards which cost $1.95 for up to $995 credit if you want to use AMEX in smaller stores. More here http://perthhacks.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-shop-everywher…
Do you guys know of other ways to use AMEX more?
yeah i noticed that. Myers and some big brands because they have their own gift card to push. @greenpossum can't stand gift cards that expire but maybe if you were to buy something from a specialty store in Westfield that did not accept AMEX, you could just go get a gift card and load it up using AMEX before purchasing the product.
Sure, that's a clever move. But check the fine print first, IIRC there were things like minimum spend, and other tricky stuff they get up to.
There was a feature in the most recent Choice surveying gift cards. The ones that came out top didn't expire or had long periods and no skim. I think they were Bunnings, and Coolies. Nothing said though about whether you could buy them with AMEX without surcharge.
Why would you buy a Westfields card over say a Coles Myer or Woolworths card where there is no fee and you are using a required store for groceries?
they accept AMEX anyway so u won't need a gift card to get around that.
Ah, reread the thread. I completely missed the point. Small stores not accepting AMEX or charging high fees. Gotcha.
get the New XS Gift Card when there's a promo on. with this card you can use it anywhere theres eftpos. but it cost $4.95. i've used a westfield gift card to buy a coles myer one at kmart in the past. for more info see http://westfieldgiftcards.com.au/giftcard/about_gift_cards/x… its a shame you cant link a AU amex to paypal anylonger maybe you can link it to a usa paypal account thats another option.
FYI not all stores in Westfield accept gift cards.