Author Topic: PASS from American Express - get at least $25, and more (Read 32582 times)

AsherO · « **on:** July 08, 2010, 12:20:17 AM »

I just discovered the new PASS from American Express loadable debit card.

you can issue up to three cards.
The card is officially designed for teens (but you can probably set three cards up for Haman Harasha, Yoshke Pondrik and Shmuel Munkes).
There is a $3.95 monthly fee (per card), which is waived until October.
Amex is offering a $25 bonus the first time you load a pass card, I'm assuming this will work for more than one card.
You can withdraw up to $200 each week from ATMs nationwide, there is a $1.50 charge for each such withdrawal (make sure not to use an ATM that charges additional fees).

I'm thinking this might also be a good way to reach a spending threshold, while scoring starpoints/miles at a low cost as well. If you're persistent, you'll be able to score approximately 6,000 starpoints by October (when the monthly fee kicks in), at a cost of only 0.75 cents/starpoint. After October, the cost will go up to approximately 2 cents per starpoint.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2010, 01:27:03 AM »

Will the funding from the starwood Amex post as a purchase?
If yes, there are ~12 weeks left until October.
If you put in and withdraw $200 a week it'll cost $18 per card for the ATM fee.
So, if you are getting a $25 bonus at the beginning you'll be $7 up and you'll get 2400 *points.
x3 you get $21 and 7200 *points for a few minutes online and going to the ATM once a week.
If my math is off, please correct me.

AsherO · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2010, 01:34:05 AM »

Your math sounds good, but I just calculated from August 1st, since it'll take you time to get your cards etc.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2010, 01:38:18 AM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on July 08, 2010, 01:27:03 AM

Will the funding from the starwood Amex post as a purchase?

I think that is the key question here...

gozalim · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2010, 03:16:23 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 08, 2010, 12:20:17 AM

You can withdraw up to $200 each week from ATMs nationwide, there is a $1.50 charge for each such withdrawal (make sure not to use an ATM that charges additional fees).

any idea which atms might not charge a fee? do regular bank atms charge? (particularly Brooklyn/ch)

Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2010, 03:34:11 PM »

Most ATM's will also charge a $2 fee or so.

gozalim · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2010, 04:17:17 PM »

any don't?

AsherO · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2010, 05:40:14 PM »

Quote from: gozalim on July 08, 2010, 03:16:23 PM

any idea which atms might not charge a fee? do regular bank atms charge? (particularly Brooklyn/ch)

I'm also curious about this. The best I found so far is ActorsFCU (they have ATMs in McDonalds all over), their ATM fee is 99 cents (ontop of Amex PASS's $1.50 fee).

Avid Reader · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:48:36 PM »

WaMu used to be free. Signature bank too. It's been a while though so check with them.

Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2010, 10:27:52 PM »

Quote from: Avid Reader on July 08, 2010, 09:48:36 PM

WaMu used to be free. Signature bank too. It's been a while though so check with them.

WaMu is now Chase, definitely not free there.

gozalim · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2010, 05:25:30 PM »

Signature Bank now charges $1

AsherO · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2010, 12:50:10 PM »

Anyone here (besides for me) get the pass card?

How is it working out for you?

shmiel · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2010, 02:56:22 PM »

Wawa locations usually have fee free ATMs from PNC bank. I think only in wawa though and not any pnc branch

gozalim · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2010, 03:30:30 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 28, 2010, 12:50:10 PM

Anyone here (besides for me) get the pass card?

How is it working out for you?

got 1. no news yet. does it come up as purchase on AMEX? you get points for it?

MisterHock · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2010, 03:57:44 PM »

fee free atms:
http://www.moneypass.com/moneypass/search.cfm

Avid Reader · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2010, 04:20:14 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 28, 2010, 12:50:10 PM

Anyone here (besides for me) get the pass card?

How is it working out for you?

I did. Just got an email from Amex today that I'll be getting my $25 reload bonus in 15-20 days.

gozalim · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2010, 06:15:13 PM »

confirmed. recieved starpoints for the money i loaded on to PASS.

Avid Reader · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2010, 12:21:24 PM »

Until they stop giving the $25 bonus, this is definitely worth the ATM withdrawal fees 2 get the miles since the $25 more then makes up for it.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #18 on:** August 06, 2010, 12:38:03 PM »

Quote from: Avid Reader on August 06, 2010, 12:21:24 PM

Until they stop giving the $25 bonus, this is definitely worth the ATM withdrawal fees 2 get the miles since the $25 more then makes up for it.

I assume you or someone else here must have this down to a science.

How much did you put on each of the 3 card?
Let me see if i have this straight...you add $200 from your amex card per week.
Then you take the card to a fee-fee ATM and withdraw that $200 each week.

You get a total of $75 for setting up the 3 cards...
Did i miss anything? Or is there a better way to do this?

aussiebochur · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2010, 12:40:03 PM »

Quote from: David on August 06, 2010, 12:38:03 PM

I assume you or someone else here must have this down to a science.

How much did you put on each of the 3 card?
Let me see if i have this straight...you add $200 from your amex card per week.
Then you take the card to a fee-fee ATM and withdraw that $200 each week.

You get a total of $75 for setting up the 3 cards...
Did i miss anything? Or is there a better way to do this?

Yep, its pretty straightforward.