Mail-In Rebates and Mastercard

[enigma54]

OK, I've bought a few computer components in the last few months and some had mail-in rebates, all of which I've mailed in. Yesterday I got my first rebate back in the form of a Citi Mastercard with a $20 credit on it.

Do I use this like a regular credit card? I don't really want another credit card, especially as I have 2-3 other rebates still to come, perhaps all in the form of credit on Mastercards?!?! so what's the best way to extract the $20 credit on it? I mean, the next time I buy something, do I put it on this Mastercard and then the $20 credit gets applied to the purchase? What happens if the purchase is more than $20? I used to get rebates back in the form of a simple cheque!

[mindstorm]

I've got the same question.
Can we go to the bank and get cash for the Mastercard rebates?

[olympic]

I thought I read somewhere that you can go into a bank displaying the Mastercard symbol and withdraw the cash off of it. You have to use the teller though, not the ATM. You can also make a purchase with it, if the purchase is more than the balance, you just pay the rest with another method. In fact, make sure the purchase is larger than the balance! You don't want to be stuck with 98 cents left on the card...lol!

[enigma54]

I thought I read somewhere that you can go into a bank displaying the Mastercard symbol and withdraw the cash off of it. You have to use the teller though, not the ATM. You can also make a purchase with it, if the purchase is more than the balance, you just pay the rest with another method. In fact, make sure the purchase is larger than the balance! You don't want to be stuck with 98 cents left on the card...lol!

I think only BMO here in Toronto offers Mastercard. That seems like a lot of trouble to cash in a rebate. I wish they would just send a cheque!

[icqboy51]

i just a one from a mail in rebate too... so annoying. there are many terms/ conditions!

there is a like maintenance fee or something that they take from your card?

can i just use the full amount on the card then just cut the card up?

any1 have experience with this kind of mail-in-rebate mastercard please post information.

thanks.

[icqboy51]

any1 can share some info?

can we just use it and then cut it up?

[olympic]

You can't reload it so yeah, just destroy it after you use it.

[hightech]

Just use the card like cash. It may just be a prepaid card. Put your lunch bill, Starbucks, etc. on it.

As for withdrawing cash on cards, it may be deemed as a cash advance and subject to higher fees.