[Update 2] The cashback is tracking. It looks like even purchases that originally showed 3-4% are now tracking at 10%. If you already bought, check your TCB records. HT: WeChat readers 我要去打怪升级了, Vivi
[Update] The 10% has been killed. Now TCB only offers 3-4% cashback on Slide (and it has become a long-term rate). Paired with CFF + PayPal, you still have a floor of 13%-14% back, which is decent. Considering the value of UR points, this method can still let you buy an iPhone for at least 15% off.
WeChat reader Haodong shared this deal.
The cashback workflow is: start from TCB (it is recommended to log in to TCB in a mobile browser), click through to Google Play or the Apple Store, then download or open the Slide app, and receive 10% cashback each time. [This tracking method is not very reliable, so don’t worry too much if it doesn’t track; at minimum, this deal still lets you buy at about 10% off.]
Slide offers Fund (reload), with an instant 1% cashback. It supports PayPal, so you can use the Chase Freedom Flex quarterly PayPal 5x UR category. Then use your Fund balance to buy gift cards and get another instant 4% back, for a total of 5%.
I recommend buying Apple gift cards. You can load them into your Apple ID and use that balance later to buy an iPhone. Each Apple ID can store up to $2,000. Other gift cards available include eBay, Southwest, Uber, etc.
If TCB does not track your order, then by using PayPal + CFF, you can still get at least 5% cashback plus 5x UR, which is pretty good. That means the effective 10% discount is no longer limited-time; it is available for the rest of this quarter, on up to $1,500 per CFF/Freedom card.
Other ways to buy Apple gift cards at a discount: