Since I do most of my shopping at Trader Joe's, I was excited to see their July 10% "Earn More" Cash Back bonus. I figured I would load up on Trader Joe gift cards to last me the rest of the year.
But then I saw this in the "Details" fine print of the Trader Joe offer: "Cash Back will not be earned when purchasing gift cards."
Up above, guardian44 said: "I've not come across a way ... any CC issuer could know whether gift cards are being purchased."
The MCC codes credit card issuers use to classify purchases would not tell them that a purchase was a gift card. But the VENDOR knows exactly what you purchased because each item appears on your receipt. And it's the vendor who is paying the 10% extra Cash Back, not the credit card issuer. For food purchases, Sallie Mae pays the 5% Cash Back, but the food vendor pays the "Earn More" Cash Back. They send the bonus money to Sallie Mae and Sallie Mae gives it to us.
Since the vendor knows how much of your purchase was spent on gift cards, they will calculate your bonus Cash Back only on the non-gift card purchases. Sallie Mae has no need to know whether you bought a gift card because they are just passing along whatever bonus money the vendor is sending them.
That is my theory about how the gift card thing works.
my theory is the whole "no gift cards" is just for showmanship and they have nothing in place to keep someone from buying a gift card and getting the 10% bonus
My statement just came out and I did purchase a Trader Joe's gift card last week (as an actual gift). I can't figure out how they computed the rewards, but they're higher than I expected. I'm pretty sure the gift card was counted but it's hard to say since things don't add up the way I expected them to.
Get some Pet Smart coupons with FB like. OP (5/25, 10/60, free iams dog/cat wet food). Makes it almost 35% off. Don't forget to activate the offer first!
I tried calling Sallie Mae and they are clueless as to whether the 20% would stay active for multiple purchases or whether the offer is only valid for one purchase, as the website is not specific about that. The said it would probably be good for multiple purchases, but I'm not confident in their response (though I did have them put a note on my account of exactly what they told me in case that ends up not being true).
dblevitan said: My statement just came out and I did purchase a Trader Joe's gift card last week (as an actual gift). I can't figure out how they computed the rewards, but they're higher than I expected. I'm pretty sure the gift card was counted but it's hard to say since things don't add up the way I expected them to. Could you provide more detail? How much did you spend at trader joe. How much more did you get? Does trader joes have other gift cards?
Of note, PETsMART and Trader Joe's only offer their own branded store gift cards. I purchased an assortment of items and gift cards at each. My statement closes 7/24. if I get the full CashBack on my statement, I'll report here (and go max out gift cards).
just got my statement, and didn't get extra rewards neigher for Traders Joe nor Macys (just regular 1% for Macys and 5% at traders joe). CSR said it says I have to wait 30 days to post. Even though both of those purchases happened 2 and 3 days before the statement closing I doubt it will really post next statement. We'll probably have to call again after next statement.
imbatman said: Of note, PETsMART and Trader Joe's only offer their own branded store gift cards. I purchased an assortment of items and gift cards at each. My statement closes 7/24. if I get the full CashBack on my statement, I'll report here (and go max out gift cards).
Per sergey, my statement also closed, no rewards to date. PETsMART has been extended to 9/2, as have some others. Trader Joe's is out.
New Specials: 10% Staples until 9/2. 10% Subway until 9/2 15% AutoZone until 9/2 20% Aeropostale until 9/2
My statement closed on the exact date the promo ended, and I got the extra 10% at Trader Joe's.
I hate how they don't break down the rewards by transaction like some other programs do. I imagine it would get quite tedious if you had a lot of transactions and wanted to check their math.
MissCrabette said: My statement closed on the exact date the promo ended, and I got the extra 10% at Trader Joe's.
I hate how they don't break down the rewards by transaction like some other programs do. I imagine it would get quite tedious if you had a lot of transactions and wanted to check their math.
What did it show up as? Was the bonus cash in the rewards summary? Was it in the "other bonus rewards" line?
I did the breakdown/math in my spreadsheet. and I got exactly the amount of CashBack I expected to get with 5% at Trader Joe's, 1% at PETsMART, and 5% on my other grocery expenses.
Trader Joes OK, 10% was added into the "Other Bonus Rewards"
PETsMART 20% & RiteAid 10% purchases were no where to be seen. They don't appear under "Retailer Earnings" like my Trader Joes purchase. Just to add to the discussion, months ago I made a few test purchases at some of the listed merchants. None of them credited. The amounts were so small (pennies) that I didn't bother to complain. But after this latest experience of missing out on PETsMART & RiteAid it appears that their system and crediting extra CB is spotty at best.
Trader Joes OK, 10% was added into the "Other Bonus Rewards"
PETsMART 20% & RiteAid 10% purchases were no where to be seen. They don't appear under "Retailer Earnings" like my Trader Joes purchase. Just to add to the discussion, months ago I made a few test purchases at some of the listed merchants. None of them credited. The amounts were so small (pennies) that I didn't bother to complain. But after this latest experience of missing out on PETsMART & RiteAid it appears that their system and crediting extra CB is spotty at best.
I took advantage of the Pet Smart deal and will call if my rewards don't show up on next week's statement, as I spent about $250 there. Hoping I don't have to waste my time though. Make sure if you signed up previously for Pet Smart that you check to ensure you're still registered if you plan to shop there. Supposedly, any time the conditions change you have to re-apply.
Glad to see other merchants popping up - I'll definitely use the Subway deal this month.
I see this card is super active. I called and got a "I don't know what you're talking about" CSR. I'm curious if anyone knows if there's a way to apply, or at the least, find out if they will be opening applications again.
Trader Joes OK, 10% was added into the "Other Bonus Rewards"
PETsMART 20% & RiteAid 10% purchases were no where to be seen. They don't appear under "Retailer Earnings" like my Trader Joes purchase. Just to add to the discussion, months ago I made a few test purchases at some of the listed merchants. None of them credited. The amounts were so small (pennies) that I didn't bother to complain. But after this latest experience of missing out on PETsMART & RiteAid it appears that their system and crediting extra CB is spotty at best.
Same experience here, called customer service to get the $50 in rewards on ~$250 in Pet Smart transactions that did not appear on my statement, as I only received 1% every day CB reward. Apparently, Sallie Mae started this program and did not inform any of it's CSR's about it's existance. This caused plenty of confusion when I called, and I was bounced back and forth between customer service and rewards redemption department a few times. DO NOT let them do this to you, as rewards redemption department will simply transfer you back to customer service, saying they only handle redemptions issues. Both sides kept telling me that this program does not exist, or that it is through the merchant, not Sallie Mae, or that it is only redeemable through the rewards mall on online purchases, not in-store. The program was obviously also not tested to make sure statements were credited properly. I asked the supervisor to send a memo to their employees as I'm sure I'll not be the only one calling in with this problem - hopefully this will help you guys out in the future.
Update on the Pet Smart rewards: I received a call back/voicemail from their customer service department and apparently it can take up to 90 days to receive your rewards through this "Activate" program.
just a week ago they told me it takes upto 30 days. What I believe is happening is they realized that their system doesn't identify those transactions properly in many cases and just trying to get some time. Hopefully they get it fixed.
I've waited 30 days for Pets-Mart, emailed CS. Got canned response that they'll look into it but I'm not holding my breath. I'd be inclined to use this CB program more if it actually worked properly.
At least for me, aside from one purchase at TJ's, nothing has ever credited.
anyone see any good deals for local shops in SoCal area? I seen a local jewelry store called Eddie's Jewelry in Rancho with 40% CashBack. Im trying to check out other local stores not in my immediate location but it keeps returning me every store nationwide.
I just received a letter of "Important Change in Terms Notice" from the Sallie. They are saying that the card will be transferred to the Barclay's Mastercard from the VISA. And, CashBack terms are as expected: $250/$250/$750 (gas/groceries/books). Oct 29th is the date when the new terms will be effective. If you have old cards, purchase gift card at WalMart by then I guess.
vagrants said: I just received a letter of "Important Change in Terms Notice" from the Sallie. They are saying that the card will be transferred to the Barclay's Mastercard from the VISA. And, CashBack terms are as expected: $250/$250/$750 (gas/groceries/books). Oct 29th is the date when the new terms will be effective. If you have old cards, purchase gift card at WalMart by then I guess.
Just got the "Important Change in Terms Notice" notice too. It looks like SallieMae is sloughing their credit card business off to Barclaycard.
When the changeover happens in October there will be diminished rewards of $250 maximum monthly spend in groceries, $250 in gas, and $750 for books (so far Amz. and its marketplace has worked) for 5% Cash Back.
It's a pity their nice Cash Back mall (when/if it works) will be down the toilet come October 29th.
So the only options left to redeem are CC account credit, student loan credit, and Cash Back to a upromise account. The nice little check at the end of the statement is gone.
Anyone has experience with upromise accounts? Is it easy to get cash out of it?
You can order check out of Upromise account quarterly.
I don't get why they mix in Upromise through - it has it's own CC, it will create a confusion.
The only reason I could think about it's because Upromise card is being transitioned from BofA to Barclay too.
What I really don't like: between Priceline card, this card conversion and converted Upromise card I would involuntarily accumulate three Barclay cards; have no idea how Barclay reacts to multiple cards and $50K+ combined CLs
neophyte said: You can order check out of Upromise account quarterly.
I don't get why they mix in Upromise through - it has it's own CC, it will create a confusion.
The only reason I could think about it's because Upromise card is being transitioned from BofA to Barclay too.
What I really don't like: between Priceline card, this card conversion and converted Upromise card I would involuntarily accumulate three Barclay cards; have no idea how Barclay reacts to multiple cards and $50K+ combined CLs
Sallie Mae owns Upromise, though they sold that card to BofA.
DrXX said: So the only options left to redeem are CC account credit, student loan credit, and Cash Back to a upromise account. The nice little check at the end of the statement is gone.
Anyone has experience with upromise accounts? Is it easy to get cash out of it?
Why not just request a statement credit, and, if you're really not going to spend any more money on it, request a check from the now credit balance on your card? I've never had a problem getting those issued (granted, not at Sallie Mae, but I'm sure it'll work)
got the next statement, and as I thought no extra rewards were posted. Called customer service-absolutely useless people. The rep told me they don't have a break down by each transaction but I need to trust them that it's all "there". When i said that I can do a simple math and when I add up my safeway and traders joe transactions time 0.05 and my Macys transaction time 0.01, i get exactly what they posted in rewards for me so I know that extra points were never posted. The rep still thought that I might be using a "wrong formula". Apparently elementary school math was too complicated for her. Decided that $22 that I'm missing in rewards are not worth it trying to argue with such uneducated support staff, will just keep in mind in the future that apart from regular rewards you can't hope to get anything extra. sergey007 said: just got my statement, and didn't get extra rewards neigher for Traders Joe nor Macys (just regular 1% for Macys and 5% at traders joe). CSR said it says I have to wait 30 days to post. Even though both of those purchases happened 2 and 3 days before the statement closing I doubt it will really post next statement. We'll probably have to call again after next statement.
I emailed CS about missing rewards from Pet Smart. After a couple weeks the purchases did post under Retailer Earnings, though nobody ever responded with an email. We'll see whether they show up on the next statement though I'm not holding my breath. Their CB system is enticing in terms of percentages but it's a freakin' hassle to contact them for every single transaction that doesn't post. And in my experience, the VAST majority of transactions do not post automatically.
At this point since the cards are being transitioned to Barclays I wouldn't expect CSR's to care much about fixing this kind of thing.
I emailed CS about missing rewards from Pet Smart. After a couple weeks the purchases did post under Retailer Earnings, though nobody ever responded with an email. We'll see whether they show up on the next statement though I'm not holding my breath. Their CB system is enticing in terms of percentages but it's a freakin' hassle to contact them for every single transaction that doesn't post. And in my experience, the VAST majority of transactions do not post automatically.
At this point since the cards are being transitioned to Barclays I wouldn't expect CSR's to care much about fixing this kind of thing.
talk about pulling teeth! I just spent an hour on the phone with customer service about missing PETsMART and trader Joe's CashBack. I got a little irate when her manager told her the mall was only for UPromise mastercard holders, and the T&C state "Cash Back Rewards (the “Program”) allows Sallie Mae customers with Sallie Mae Visa cards (“Cardholder”) to earn Cash Back when they use their Sallie Mae Visa cards (the “Card(s)”)."
After an hour, they finally agreed that I should have gotten CashBack, so they opened a workcase # for me. If you call, make sure you have the T&C open in front of you. They indicated it usually takes 6-10 business days to get resolution on work cases, so it shouldn't be impacted by the card changeover to Barclays.
I emailed CS about missing rewards from Pet Smart. After a couple weeks the purchases did post under Retailer Earnings, though nobody ever responded with an email. We'll see whether they show up on the next statement though I'm not holding my breath. Their CB system is enticing in terms of percentages but it's a freakin' hassle to contact them for every single transaction that doesn't post. And in my experience, the VAST majority of transactions do not post automatically.
At this point since the cards are being transitioned to Barclays I wouldn't expect CSR's to care much about fixing this kind of thing.
talk about pulling teeth! I just spent an hour on the phone with customer service about missing PETsMART and trader Joe's CashBack. I got a little irate when her manager told her the mall was only for UPromise mastercard holders, and the T&C state "Cash Back Rewards (the “Program”) allows Sallie Mae customers with Sallie Mae Visa cards (“Cardholder”) to earn Cash Back when they use their Sallie Mae Visa cards (the “Card(s)”)."
After an hour, they finally agreed that I should have gotten CashBack, so they opened a workcase # for me. If you call, make sure you have the T&C open in front of you. They indicated it usually takes 6-10 business days to get resolution on work cases, so it shouldn't be impacted by the card changeover to Barclays.
Did they include your PETsMART gift card purchases in the CB or just regular purchases?
Sigh, this PETsMART thing is getting a nightmare. I contacted them using their form, but sounds like most likely I need to call and raise the hell.
vagrants said: imbatman said: kintro said: On missing CB ....
I emailed CS about missing rewards from Pet Smart. After a couple weeks the purchases did post under Retailer Earnings, though nobody ever responded with an email. We'll see whether they show up on the next statement though I'm not holding my breath. Their CB system is enticing in terms of percentages but it's a freakin' hassle to contact them for every single transaction that doesn't post. And in my experience, the VAST majority of transactions do not post automatically.
At this point since the cards are being transitioned to Barclays I wouldn't expect CSR's to care much about fixing this kind of thing.
talk about pulling teeth! I just spent an hour on the phone with customer service about missing PETsMART and trader Joe's CashBack. I got a little irate when her manager told her the mall was only for UPromise mastercard holders, and the T&C state "Cash Back Rewards (the “Program”) allows Sallie Mae customers with Sallie Mae Visa cards (“Cardholder”) to earn Cash Back when they use their Sallie Mae Visa cards (the “Card(s)”)."
After an hour, they finally agreed that I should have gotten CashBack, so they opened a workcase # for me. If you call, make sure you have the T&C open in front of you. They indicated it usually takes 6-10 business days to get resolution on work cases, so it shouldn't be impacted by the card changeover to Barclays.
Did they include your PETsMART gift card purchases in the CB or just regular purchases?
Sigh, this PETsMART thing is getting a nightmare. I contacted them using their form, but sounds like most likely I need to call and raise the hell.
I haven't received any CashBack yet so I'm not certain. The rep mentioned the whole amount for the purchases (including GC). I got a call from Sallie Mae corporate regarding the workcase #, and they indicated that the CashBack should post within 60 days (even though the T&C says within 30 days), and to look for it on my next statement. They left a voicemail, so I didn't get a chance to confirm how much CB it would be. I guess we'll wait and see.
I emailed CS about missing rewards from Pet Smart. After a couple weeks the purchases did post under Retailer Earnings, though nobody ever responded with an email. We'll see whether they show up on the next statement though I'm not holding my breath. Their CB system is enticing in terms of percentages but it's a freakin' hassle to contact them for every single transaction that doesn't post. And in my experience, the VAST majority of transactions do not post automatically.
At this point since the cards are being transitioned to Barclays I wouldn't expect CSR's to care much about fixing this kind of thing.
talk about pulling teeth! I just spent an hour on the phone with customer service about missing PETsMART and trader Joe's CashBack. I got a little irate when her manager told her the mall was only for UPromise mastercard holders, and the T&C state "Cash Back Rewards (the “Program”) allows Sallie Mae customers with Sallie Mae Visa cards (“Cardholder”) to earn Cash Back when they use their Sallie Mae Visa cards (the “Card(s)”)."
After an hour, they finally agreed that I should have gotten CashBack, so they opened a workcase # for me. If you call, make sure you have the T&C open in front of you. They indicated it usually takes 6-10 business days to get resolution on work cases, so it shouldn't be impacted by the card changeover to Barclays.
Did they include your PETsMART gift card purchases in the CB or just regular purchases?
Sigh, this PETsMART thing is getting a nightmare. I contacted them using their form, but sounds like most likely I need to call and raise the hell.
I haven't received any CashBack yet so I'm not certain. The rep mentioned the whole amount for the purchases (including GC). I got a call from Sallie Mae corporate regarding the workcase #, and they indicated that the CashBack should post within 60 days (even though the T&C says within 30 days), and to look for it on my next statement. They left a voicemail, so I didn't get a chance to confirm how much CB it would be. I guess we'll wait and see.
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