Question
Okay, first post for go easy on me.
Has anyone used their card, whether it be American AAdvantage Citi or United Mileage Plus, to pay rent? If so, how? I was under the impression that using the card to get a money order, then paying your rent with the money order, would result in cash advance fees? Is this true?
Also, my stupid electricity company, First Energy (Toledo Edison) does not take credit cards directly through their website, they use a third party vendor, which charges 3.50 fee per transaction. You would think that electricity companies would want to be up to date and forward thinking, but apparently not.
Either way, the point for me is trying to get ALL monthly expenses (including TiVo, cable bill, gas, groceries, SBC) over to mileage earning credit card to pick up a few thousand miles a year.
Answer
Okay, first post for go easy on me.
Has anyone used their card, whether it be American AAdvantage Citi or United Mileage Plus, to pay rent? If so, how? I was under the impression that using the card to get a money order, then paying your rent with the money order, would result in cash advance fees? Is this true?
Also, my stupid electricity company, First Energy (Toledo Edison) does not take credit cards directly through their website, they use a third party vendor, which charges 3.50 fee per transaction. You would think that electricity companies would want to be up to date and forward thinking, but apparently not.
Either way, the point for me is trying to get ALL monthly expenses (including TiVo, cable bill, gas, groceries, SBC) over to mileage earning credit card to pick up a few thousand miles a year.
Yes, normally MOs are coded as cash advance. To get around this I'd suggest funneling money to a prepaid card and then cashing it out in various ways.
Answer
Some larger landlords actually do accept credit cards for rent payments and security deposits. My landlord (Lincoln Property Company, which owns apartments in many markets nationwide) takes Visa and MasterCard.
Answer
Hmmmm. so like buying a gift card with my credit card, then buying the money order with the gift card? Would that work?
Answer
I don't know of any gift cards that can be redeemed for money orders anymore and still be tagged as "purchases." The banks and retail stores seem to have cracked down on this practice as of late.
One possibility is American Express Gift Cheques if you have an AmEx card; just order the gift checks and make them payable to yourself or your landlord. I've never ordered Amex gift cheques, however, so I don't know if they earn points or not.