US Mint Deal Is Back!

August 28, 2015 By Meghan Hunter

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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® Cash Back 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?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.

Intro APR on purchases

N/A

Regular APR

15.99%-22.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee $95

Other

Credit Needed Excellent / Good

Issuer Chase

Card Type Visa

MORE INFO

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

APPLY NOW

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.

Intro APR on purchases

N/A

Regular APR

15.99%-22.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.