Citi ThankYou Preferred - 5x categories

[DoB]

I received a (probably targeted) email in January inviting me to sign up for 5x points in for categories - clothing stores, electronics and computer stores, toy stores, and department stores - through the end of March.

Is Target classified as a department store?  I still have a $2500 load to make at Target this month. (Probably going to Marble Hill, if it varies from store to store.)

[SearchGuy]

No

[ChaimMoskowitz]

How about VGC's from BB? Is this unlimited?

[sam i am]

Some toys R Us also have vgc

[DoB]

How about VGC's from BB? Is this unlimited?

Limited to 2500 bonus points ($625 spend).

Interesting idea, but probably not worth the time.  I'd spend $20.85 on three $200 VGC's (assuming the same $6.95 fee as at Staples), earning me 3104 TY points (effectively worth $31.04 as long as I don't upgrade to the TY Premier).  But if I then put that $600 on my REDcard, I lose out on $600 of Arrival+ spend, worth $13.20.  If I never upgrade to the Premier, I come out $3.01 behind.  If I do upgrade at some point, I may come out slightly ahead depending on how I value TY points, but not by much.

So I'll let this one pass.  Thanks.

[sam i am]

Limited to 2500 bonus points ($625 spend).

Interesting idea, but probably not worth the time.  I'd spend $20.85 on three $200 VGC's (assuming the same $6.95 fee as at Staples), earning me 3104 TY points (effectively worth $31.04 as long as I don't upgrade to the TY Premier).  But if I then put that $600 on my REDcard, I lose out on $600 of Arrival+ spend, worth $13.20.  If I never upgrade to the Premier, I come out $3.01 behind.  If I do upgrade at some point, I may come out slightly ahead depending on how I value TY points, but not by much.

So I'll let this one pass.  Thanks.

How about toys r us? Buy 2 $500 VGC for 4.95 each and split pay the 2nd, putting 379.95 on arrival+

[DoB]

How about toys r us? Buy 2 $500 VGC for 4.95 each and split pay the 2nd, putting 379.95 on arrival+

Makes a bit sense - I come out $7.60 ahead if I value TY points at one cent each, or more if I value them higher.  I didn't realize $500 VGC's were available for $4.95.  (I'm still new to this stuff.)

[sam i am]

Makes a bit sense - I come out $7.60 ahead if I value TY points at one cent each, or more if I value them higher.  I didn't realize $500 VGC's were available for $4.95.  (I'm still new to this stuff.)

I'm having difficulties grasping your calculations.
With citi, if you charge 625 on your card, you will earn 31.25, if you value ty at .1. (625 x .05). By charging the remainder to arrival you'll earn another 8.36. Subtract the 9.90 fee and you are left with 29.70. Even if you charge the entire amount on citi you'll earn aprox $25.

[DoB]

I'm having difficulties grasping your calculations.
With citi, if you charge 625 on your card, you will earn 31.25, if you value ty at .1. (625 x .05). By charging the remainder to arrival you'll earn another 8.36. Subtract the 9.90 fee and you are left with 29.70. Even if you charge the entire amount on citi you'll earn aprox $25.

Let's say I only charge $625 to the Citi, and put the rest on my A+. So I earn $31.25 on the Citi, but I've paid $9.90 in order to make that possible, which leaves me with $21.35. Then I cash it out at Target.

However, that leaves me with $625 less to charge to my REDcard from my A+, which would have earned me $13.75.

So I come out only $7.60 ahead.

(Actually a bit more, since I'm charging an additional $9.90 to the A+ to cover the VGC fees - so I actually come out $7.82 ahead.)

[sam i am]

Let's say I only charge $625 to the Citi, and put the rest on my A+. So I earn $31.25 on the Citi, but I've paid $9.90 in order to make that possible, which leaves me with $21.35. Then I cash it out at Target.

However, that leaves me with $625 less to charge to my REDcard from my A+, which would have earned me $13.75.

So I come out only $7.60 ahead.

(Actually a bit more, since I'm charging an additional $9.90 to the A+ to cover the VGC fees - so I actually come out $7.82 ahead.)

Now I see what you mean. But why is it a question of either/or. Load red with arrival and do something else with the vgc? 

[DoB]

Now I see what you mean. But why is it a question of either/or. Load red with arrival and do something else with the vgc?

Whatever I do with the VGC I would otherwise have done with the A+. Aside from the $9.90 in fees, my total spending hasn't gone up.

[Barryg]

Whatever I do with the VGC I would otherwise have done with the A+. Aside from the $9.90 in fees, my total spending hasn't gone up.

Why not try something new with the VGC's, don't know what you can try, but if you figure something out it will be worth way more than $25 (and Target can be backup option)