Pennies, pennies everywhere


If you’ve paid attention to the CC churning space at all you know that the holy grail is a service which allows for “purchase” transactions (as opposed to cash advance) while not charging anyone fees. Essentially they represent free points with minimal work. Frequent Miler has a pretty good explanation of the latest entrant into the game, Google Wallet.

a screenshot of a computer

It isn’t that Google Wallet is new, really, but the ability to send small amounts of money directly to someone else in a peer-to-peer manner is. And, as part of introducing that feature, CC-based transactions are fee-free, at least for now. The catch is that you have to be eligible to send or receive the money and not everyone is initially. But once someone sends you money – even as little as a penny – you’re in.

I’ve spent a couple hours this morning sending pennies to people, and I haven’t blown my budget yet. Who else wants in?? Note that your Google Wallet account must be domiciled in the USA for this feature to work.

Make sure to use an email address for the comment which can receive the penny via Google Wallet. And – arguably more important – read the post linked above so you understand what you’re getting in to and how to not screw yourself and get your account shut down.

Quick update (11:15am EDT 29 May 2013): I’m around 450 pennies sent now and fully caught up on the comments as of this point. If you think you requested one and haven’t received it yet let me know. Also, for those curious, I’m not churning through CCs on these pennies. I have a balance in my account which I’m working through. No sense getting banned from the service for being greedy. Finally, for those who have asked, please don’t feel a need to send the penny back; pay it forward instead.

Update 2 (10:30am EDT 30 May 2013): Phew…I’m done. That was a lot of fun for 48 hours but I need to get back to other stuff vaguely related to real life now. Hopefully the 700+ pennies distributed will help others to seed the program as well.

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Seth Miller

I'm Seth, also known as the Wandering Aramean. I was bit by the travel bug 30 years ago and there's no sign of a cure. I fly ~200,000 miles annually; these are my stories. You can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

672 Comments

  1. A penny received from Google Wallet is a penny earned. 😉

    Would love to get in on the latest Google viral marketing craze. :p

  2. Thanks for doing that so quick Seth! I have the freedom card with 10 pts on every purchase still. I wonder if I could just send a bunch of 1 cent like you’re doing.

  3. I have two United Club passes (expiring 6/30/13) to trade for a penny. Send me your mailing address and they are yours.

  4. I’d love a penny to pass along and spread the spoils! Thanks Seth for starting this, this is awesome.

  5. Do you create the google wallet furst then have someone send you a penny or send penny first?

  6. Frankly, I just want the ability to send money via Gmail and give it to my friends who owe me money.

  7. Hey Seth,

    Thanks for sharing the wealth! Also, if somebody else has already received a penny, pass it along, and I will too.

    Cheers

  8. I was just looking to get in on that. Would love a penny at this email! Thank you!

  9. Honestly, this terrifies me a bit because having my google account shut down would be one of the most disruptive things that could possibly happen to me (unrelated to my health or that of others of course).

  10. Seth!!! You’re my hero! I’ve been waiting for someone to send me a penny! Thank you!

  11. Love your blog. Thanks as always. Can I also have a penny sent to my google wallet account?

  12. Hi Seth,

    I requested for a penny (#97), but I think I put the wrong email address.

    Would love a penny.
    Thanks!

  13. Looks like you’re really busy now with 100+ folks, but I’d love to join. Thanks.

  14. If you haven’t run out of pennies yet please toss one this way – thanks!

  15. I would appreciate a penny if you’re not bored to tears already. Thanks!

  16. If you still have a penny left, I’d sure love to have one. Thanks for your generosity!

  17. Would love a penny if still able! (and more than wanting to pass this along, so long as playing by the rules.)

    🙂

    Thanks!!

  18. Wow, I am 238 and counting! Hope it won’t cause you too big a fortune to help all of us. But thanks for counting me in, very much appreciated it. Have a great day 🙂

  19. Oooh! Me too! I’ll send 50 pennies out after you send me one :). Thanks in advance!

  20. Hi thanks for this great post. Please kindly send me a penny, I hope to start using this service. Thanks a lot!

  21. I would like a penny as well, but I don’t know if you’re gonna get this far down the list…

  22. Does that mean you can use a credit card that generates miles during the free period to pay yourself, and then pay the card – thereby accumulating miles?

  23. Ohh wow! Thank you very much Seth. I was number 270 and I really wasn’t expecting it to come thru. And 3 minutes later, I received my penny! Will say a proper thank you during my next App-o-Rama

  24. This is super generous of you. I would love to get a penny 🙂

    Thank you for helping out so many!

  25. Thanks – I did ask you already on twitter, a few hours before I saw this post. So if you sent it to me from that, no need to do it again! But as of immediately before I am leaving this comment, no pennies have appeared as yet! Thanks much!

  26. I appreciate the invite and will return the favor to others when active. Thanks.

  27. Wow, nearly 300 pennies so far. I sent out around 200 on Monday and it is almost a full time job. Glad the Google hasn’t gotten made at us penny senders.

  28. Looks like I am late for the party 🙂

    Can you send me the magical penny please.

  29. I could offer my two cents worth on what I think of this post, but then you’d have to send me 2 pennies 🙂 So I’ll keep it short and just say that I love your blog – that should be worth a penny, no?

  30. I’ve been trying to find a way to get going on it! I’d love a penny. Thanks!

  31. Hi thanks for giving out pennies. Hope I am not too late for this, can you still send penny to me to help me get started. Thanks and have a good one!

  32. I’d love for you to send me a penny as well. Been waiting about a week to get google wallet working

  33. I hope I’m not too late to the penny party. Thanks for your consideration!

  34. If you have anymore of those little copper pieces laying around,I would gladly take one off your hands.Thank You in advance

  35. Hah! Feel like I’m late to the game but, if you’re not broke after the $3.40 you’ve given out before me, count me in too!

  36. A penny sent here will not be wasted. I promise! Thanks for your kind heart!

  37. hi, could you please send me a penny as well. Thanks!!!! I Can then send it over to several more people here to help them enable their accounts as well.

  38. Please. You are making my day!
    Please.
    I just need to upgrade! I have been using google wallet since the beginning!!

  39. Please please please send me a coin. Love your blog, and its tendency to have real original content without just affiliate link generated content.

  40. I am actually redirected by clicking a link cited by Frequent Miler’s Blog and thank you so much for your generosity. Please send me a penny. Thanks

  41. If the dance is still going I would love a penny! Thanks and I’ll pay it forward.

  42. Thanks for the help! I hope you’re using your Freedom card and still have 10pts / transaction!

  43. If you’re still doing this (which seems above and beyond) I’d love a penny.

  44. If you had any more to spare, I’d appreciate one as well! Thanks in advance!

  45. Would love to do this as well. It’s only a penny but lots of requests add up. Thanks for doing this!

  46. Could you please send me a penny?

    Thanks a lot and I enjoy reading your blog

  47. I still remember who sent me my first gmail invite- thanks for being the one to bring me into google wallet

  48. Great job FM! Please send me a Penny and I will try my best to send it to as many people as possible.

  49. I would love a penny, please! I’ve recently been turned away from Vanilla Reloads (New Manager!) at CVS and need some new methods to send money.

  50. If you wouldn’t mind sending me a penny as well, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

  51. I would appreciate a penny & PiF is the only thing to do 🙂 thanks in advance

  52. A Penny would be so appreciated. Thanks for helping making it possible for us to reach our travel goals.

  53. I got your penny, Seth. I’m also writing to boost the comment count here 🙂 and let others know of your kindness.

  54. You are a true altruist Seth! Even if you do not get to me, thank you on behalf of so many people!

  55. You’re providing an incredible service to your colleagues who love flying as much as you do. Count me in when you have a moment.

  56. I’ve been trying to get a penny for awhile now and it has proved difficult. Thanks for your help!

  57. I would love a penny!

    Saw an ebay listing charging $5 for an invite. Seems I can wait until someone sends a penny or Google opens it up for all.

    Thanks!

  58. Please send a penny and I’ll be more than happy to pay it forward.
    Karen

  59. Please send a penny and I’ll be more than happy to pay it forward.

  60. A penny please.

    Also, used your OW Quantas alert tool for the first time this week. Worked like a charm and just got my last minute CX award booked! Thanks as always. One strange bug the arrows to flip between months on the calendar to select the dates aren’t showing up for me but clicking where they should be still works fine.

  61. Hi Seth, could you please send me a penny as well? Thank you. – Jerry

    1. Phew…I’m done. That was a lot of fun for 48 hours but I need to get back to other stuff vaguely related to real life now. Hopefully the 700+ pennies distributed will help others to seed the program as well.

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