This thread is supposed to quickly summarize the methods for getting cash from a BT. This is the method I have been using in order of the quickest methods:
(Edit: I'm also trying to get a thread started for when you must pay the BT back to avoid finance charges (exact period from when applied, or by payment due date), and if you can use statement date movements to extend the BT period: See here)
1) If you haven't received 0% checks you can use yet, call and try for direct deposit to checking.
2) If the checks are coming, verify terms and use them. Always make sure when writing it to yourself it is not a cash advance, or at least at the BT terms. Make sure you get the CSR's name and number you spoke to in case they should mislead you so you can rectify the situation.
3) If no checks are coming, request a 0% check be issued to you. Always call from a home phone for this request becuase it does influence the options the CSR's have for checks.
4) If you cannot use the check in your own name, such as with AMEX, ask if you can write it to a friend, have them DEPOSIT it, not cash it, then they can write you a check. You can even write the check to another person who is a joint account holder with you, as long as it is too another person. AMEX has told me this is a fine practice with them. DO NOT WRITE THE CHECK PAYABLE TO THE BANK AND WRITE DOWN YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER (THIS WILL BE A CASH ADVANCE) (Make sure you call AMEX and tell them a you wrote a big check to a person and to clear it on your first BT check. Otherwise, until they get your signature on file, they will call you for authorization and deny the check if they can't contact you). Read point 4 above carefully so you don't mess up with AMEX and get cash advance or get your check voided!!!
5) If you cannot use the checks in any way to a person and cannot direct deposit to checking, send the BT money to accounts that you already have 0% no fee checks for so that you can immediately go to the bank with them when your card receives the funds. Make sure your checks are still valid. When transferring money to another card, first send to cards with no fees for BT that already have a high utilization on them so that you do not have a credit balance, which can annoy credit companies. When the money gets in, take it right back out with your checks.
6) Open a HELOC with a 16 digit card that is attached to it. Then, you can either draw from that account a few days in advance, and BT into it to avoid large credit balances, or just BT into it and request the credit balance or access it with a check if you have some for that account. This looks like a very good way to request large BT amounts and avoid lengthy delays and fraud investigations! (Thanks Kanosh)
When transferring to a savings account from your checking account, make sure to wait until the check has cleared before putting in a request to transfer the money.
These are my tactics, if I have missed any please advise and I will update the list. This should help those newbies starting the AOR game.
EDIT: Below is a detailed list of how I got the BT money from each card I applied for. If others post thier results or confirm mine, I will update this post. This is my data from my personal June 4th, 2007 AOR.
Discover More – Had to call in and request BT checks. They mailed them to me within 5 business days and I wrote it out to myself.
BoA Plat. Plus MC – Had them direct deposit into my checking over the phone. Took 3 business days to get the funds.
Citi AT&T Platinum Card – Never received welcome package with BT checks. Called in and had them mail me a check payable to me for deposit to checking. Took 5 business days to get. (Debited credit account immediately and you cannot cancel these checks once they are issued).
Citi Home Rebate Card - Never received welcome package with BT checks. Called in and had them mail me a check payable to me for deposit to checking. Took 5 business days to get. (Debited credit account immediately and you cannot cancel these checks once they are issued).
Barclays National Parks – Used included BT checks to make out to myself and deposit to checking. There was one check that came with the card, then I called in and asked for three more to be mailed to me for possible future use (watch expiration dates).
Chase VW Platnium – Used single BT check to deposit to checking. The check came with the card.
HSBC GM Flex Card – Used a BT check I got in the welcome package. These checks came seperate from the card in the welcome package about 5 days later.
RBS Kroger 1.2.3 – Used a BT check I got in the welcome package. These checks came seperate from the card about 5 days later.
GE Money Rewards Card – Note: This card had a straight 3% fee, but I did it anyway to help my slim credit history and make a little profit. Sent BT directly to my no fee BoA card which already a utilization from my BoA Bt on it, causing the entire balance to be paid off on BoA card. . Took 4 days to get $ on BoA card. Then called BoA and had them do another direct deposit over the phone to my checking, took 3 days to get to my checking from BoA.
PNC Bank Personal Platinum – Used single included BT check to deposit into checking. They included one check with the card and I called in for more. (When I applied for this card, I called in and they gave me a special capped BT fee promo, so try calling them.).
Citi Professional – After waiting two weeks for welcome package checks, called in and had them mail a check already made out and payable to me. Took 5 business days to get.
Advanta Business Rewards – Called in and did direct deposit over the phone to a personal checking account. Be careful of the checks they send you, most are at Cash Advance rate.
Citi Business Thank You – Actually received this welcome package and used a BT check. The welcome package came about 9 days after I received the card (Citi is very slow with welcome packages, I recommend calling and getting a filled out check that will come in 5-7 business days, (they tell you 7-9). Do not get the blank ones, b/c they are processed through the same place as the welcome package checks and take almost 30 days to get here!)
Chase Platinum Business Visa – Used single included BT check to deposit to checking. Check came with card. Called in and requested/got more mailed to me via expidited shipping.
Chase GM Business - Used single included BT check to deposit to checking. Check came with card.
National City Visa – Called in and had them mail a check to me payable in my name. I never received any BT checks without asking for them made out to my name from National City.
AMEX In: Chicago – Online CLI from 3.6k to 24.9k. Called in and requested BT checks be sent in mail. Took one week to get check booklet of 4 checks. Made check out to girlfriend for her to deposit to her account. Then she wrote me a check. (Note: AMEX will always call first about the first big check on a new account to verify. They denied my first check as they couldn’t reach me by the end of the business day about verifying my first check to another person. Therefore, make sure you call AMEX and tell them you are writing a large check to another person to prevent this. Once they have your signature on file, this shouldn’t be a problem anymore they said.)
AMEX In: NYC – Called in CLI from 2.3 to 10.3 (all I asked for). Had them mail me BT checks, took a week to get. Wrote check to girlfriend for deposit, she then wrote one back to me.
WAMU ESPN Card – Used included BT checks for deposit. These checks came in the welcome package within one week after receiving the card.
RBS Platinum – I’m actually not using this card as it only came with a 1k limit, but it did include BT checks in the welcome package which came 4 days after the card.
Most of my ideas for this page came from here. However, I think this single page should be a little more concise. Hope it helps and thanks to the others for posting thier experiences.
-- its been 14 days already!
