The real issue in doing it in non-moderation (always my favorite!) is that credit card issuers don't know (or choose not to know) the difference. They see out-of-usual $2000 spend at Publix and will think "manufactured spending" (I don't know if Publix sells visa/mc/amex gift cards, but, like the issuer, I will assume that they do) and decide to close your account. At that point, your relative innocence doesn't matter, they can close at any time, and ....