So it's been about 2 weeks since I won $15 Virtual MC from camel sweepstakes. Most sites, you can purchase a gift card but the minimum is usually $25. On Amazon, there is no minimum but the card gets declined because it tries to "test" the validity of the card first with a $1 temporary authorization which will in turn cause the card to go over the limit when purchasing the card and therefore be declined. So where do you spend virtual credit cards on less than $25? TIA.
How do you spend Virtual Credit Cards on less than $25 (Camel)
- Thread starter johninnyc
- Start date
kcmoviebuff
New member
I think I ran into this once but not sure - I think what I did was place an online order with Jimmy John's for whatever got closest to $15. I would try it also with any site offering online ordering, especially pizza delivery. Good luck!
goldenpaso
New member
I always just buy amazon gift cards and give them to myself. I've never had any trouble with even a $5 card.
That's what I want to do but every time I try it with Amazon, it never works because of the $1 preauthorization hold. This is right off of Amazon's site:
Restrictions on Pre-Paid Cards
Amazon.com lets you use pre-paid cards for the majority of purchases, but certain restrictions apply.
The following restrictions apply to pre-paid Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards:
Can't be combined with credit cards on a single order.
Can't be used to sign-up for Amazon Prime membership.
Amazon.com doesn't support entering the three-digit CVV code normally found on the back of some cards. If the code is required by the issuing bank, payments may not process successfully.
Note:
Some banks may require registration of pre-paid gift cards by name and billing address.
There's a $1 authorization at the time of order to make sure the payment method is valid. This authorization is not a charge, but banks may hold the authorized funds as unavailable until the authorization expires.
colleenjudge
New member
I have never had a $1 authorization at the time of order when I use them to buy a gift card sent to myself. I always get full value.
OK. After having it rejected by Amazon and then by Dunkin Donuts, I called up Citibank who issues the cards from the Camel sweeps. Turns out the card was being rejected because it was being used out of state. (I live in New York and Amazon is in WA and DD is in MA). After being rejected by both Amazon and DD, my card was then deactivated due to suspected fraud. Kinda ridiculous because it's a virtual credit card that can only be used online. The rep then reactivated it and advised me to try and find a company based in my state to use. Pretty dumb but I tried Amazon again after the rep reinstated the card and it worked. Thanks all!
yipperbear
New member
I always buy Amazon cards with any ecard win. I've bought them from 1$ to 100$. The Camel cards in particular expire in 90 days and Amazon never expires. Also, I've spent part of a 50$ Camel one place and put the leftover $3.36 on Amazon.