I’m very excited that the US Mint deal is back!
OK, it’s not really. But I happened to find a way to help meet minimum spending requirements (sort of) buying coins with a credit card! And with no fees!
For folks new to our hobby, the US Mint deal was a government program that allowed you to buy dollar coins with a credit card without a fee.
And some people would buy the coins with their credit cards, then haul these heavy coins to deposit in their bank account, earning Big Travel in the process!
I was playing Skee-Ball with friends at Punch Bowl Social here in Austin, when I spotted it. A rare magnificent beast.
I thought, “Surely there must be a fee to use a credit card.”
But as always, I examined the fine print. And there was no fee. Two of my friends had new Discover it cards that earn $50 after the 1st purchase. They immediately purchased coins at no cost.
I imagined the joy of running my Citi Prestige through the machine to earn 2X Citi ThankYou points for each $1 spent. (Because the machine is in a bar that is likely categorized as a restaurant or entertainment.)
I did try it to find out if it would code as a purchase or cash advance (and to see if I’d earn a category bonus).
Then I thought of rolling all those quarters and figured it probably wasn’t worth my time. Or being known in Austin as “that guy who leaves Punch Bowl Social every day with a huge sack of coins.”
For that reason, I probably won’t be adding this to my 50+ Ways to Earn Miles & Points post.
Although, the experience was a reminder that if you keep your eyes open, you can find unusual ways to earn points. Even if it’s only a few points for fun!
Bottom Line
Be on the lookout for hidden ways to earn miles & points for no cost!
In this case, I found a change machine at an arcade that accepted credit cards with no fee. My friends and I earned points towards Big Travel playing Ms. Pac-Man!
Have any of y’all found unexpected ways to earn a few extra points?
WHAT A FREAKING TEASE YOU AREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I actually used the 1dollar coins at grocery stores and gas stations and even the horse track.
I would always get funny looks from the employees. As they do not give these out for change so they never get into circulation.
No fee and free shipping and easily meeting min spends. I miss the US MINT
Click bait
I moved $100,000 of these coins in 6 months years ago !!!! I MISS THIS PROGRAM !!!! LOL !!!!
I can see you putting $200 of quarters in your pants and having them fall down in the parking lot on the way to your car in front of a bunch of kids and mad mothers…glad some things are beneath you.
you can however buy coins through the mint as collectibles…I have 3 rolls of all the national park quarters so far (one from each mint) and will collect them all and then sell the set for a profit. Just like state quarters it takes many years, so I usually combine shipping on orders and get a couple of proof sets, 3 or 4 different quarter sets, and maybe a uncirculated set all at once…..it’s only a few hundred a year, but it is still the mint, which is nostalgic to see on your credit card bill.