Super Advanced Techniques For Maximizing Rewards
by Jason SteeleWhen it comes to accumulating frequent flier miles, David Phillips is a legend in his own time. This man, also known as The Pudding Guy, accumulated over a million miles by taking advantage of an American Airlines promotion for Healthy Choice brand pudding. So amazingly profitable was his strategy, that it was immortalized by Adam Sandler in the move Punch Drunk Love.
Some Common Loopholes To Turn You Into a Pudding Guy or Gal With Your Reward Cards
We have covered some simple strategies for maximizing your credit card rewards, but if you look hard enough, there are some advanced tactics out there to really boost your returns on your reward credit cards.
The United States Mint has been been offering Presidential dollar coins in their direct ship program. You can order up to 500 of each new presidential coin per person without any shipping and handling costs. You can use them instead of your ATM when you need cash or hand out rolls of them as gifts. While they are intended for circulation, I have not found any reason why you may not deposit them in your bank.
American Express offers travelers checks through their company owned travel offices (not independent affiliates) that can be charged to your Amex card as a purchase, not a cash advance. You may wish to purchase these rather than use an ATM when you need cash overseas. I know of no restriction that would prevent you from depositing any remaining traveler’s checks in your bank account.
These techniques can boost your rewards by a small, but significant amount. For some, this may be just what they need to top off their account and make themselves eligible for a specific reward.
Keep Yours Eyes Open
These are just a couple of examples, and there are more ways out there to expand your rewards. Keep your eyes open, and one day, you might be the next pudding person, traveling the world with a million miles.