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World Elite MasterCard: Not too impressed so far...
I applied once online thru the Saks site. The application was denied because my Saks account was "not active enough". I was told to go to a store to re-apply. I did just that and was issued a new Saks charge card WITHOUT the WEMC card even though I checked the box indicating a wanted both cards. I called customer service and was told to go back to the store and re-apply. This time the rep said to go to customer service instead of a floor salesperson. So, back to Saks I went. After explaining the fun time I had experienced in applying for their card, the clerk said, "This will be the first application I have done for the new WEMC". I said, "Stop right there, and go get a manager." She did, and I applied for the card yet a 3rd time.
I will report back when (and if) Saks manages to send me a WEMC.
I hope I don't end up with three of 'em!
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It would be cool to get three :D
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World Elite MasterCard: Not too impressed so far...
I applied once online thru the Saks site. The application was denied because my Saks account was "not active enough". I was told to go to a store to re-apply. I did just that and was issued a new Saks charge card WITHOUT the WEMC card even though I checked the box indicating a wanted both cards. I called customer service and was told to go back to the store and re-apply. This time the rep said to go to customer service instead of a floor salesperson. So, back to Saks I went. After explaining the fun time I had experienced in applying for their card, the clerk said, "This will be the first application I have done for the new WEMC". I said, "Stop right there, and go get a manager." She did, and I applied for the card yet a 3rd time.
I will report back when (and if) Saks manages to send me a WEMC.
I hope I don't end up with three of 'em!
Why would you want to have one? Did you read T&C?
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Reasons for having WEMC: Priority Pass and Saks shopping. Virtuoso may be worth a try.
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Reasons for having WEMC: Priority Pass and Saks shopping.
Priority Pass still costs you money. Saks shopping can be done on Saks charge if you wish.
Cons: You still get 2 statements one form HSBC MC and second from Chase. Very confusing.
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Only good for collecting, unless you don't have any other card.
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Only good for collecting, unless you don't have any other card.
Agree
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its free
the WEMC platform has standard benefits and promos
if you spend at saks, you get great benefits
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its free
the WEMC platform has standard benefits and promos
if you spend at saks, you get great benefits
Don't forget Priority Pass. Even at $24 per person per visit, airport lounges are very nice for unforseen flight delays. Without a pass or a membership, most lounges will not let you pay to enter. If they did, they would be swamped during weather delays.
Airport lounges make the main terminal waiting areas look like bus stops.
PS - I also have AMEX plat, but its lounge access is only good if your CO, NW, or DL flight has a lounge at the airport you're using. These airlines do not even allow lounge access if you are flying domestic first class! (I really don't understand that!!! :confused: )
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This is too bad it is so complicated for you, and I hope not so for others. That was the right choice to just escalate to General/Store Manager. Good Luck and please keep us updated.
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So, from what I'm reading, you basically get the $99 entry level Priority Pass for free with this card?
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So, from what I'm reading, you basically get the $99 entry level Priority Pass for free with this card?
you do get that level of PP with the card.
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Does anyone know if the Priority Pass membership is good for the life of your card membership or is this a one year teaser deal? Anyone have experiences with the Saks card or HSBC in general they could share?
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you get it every year. its a stated benefit. of course that can change later. remember its only worth $100, and if you use it a few times, a higher level of PP is worth getting.
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Well I just applied for the card. I was "approved" but then the last line is given as "Saks Card Credit Guide Line: $4000". Per their T&C they indicated that you'd be issued a Platinum card if you were approved for less than $5000. We'll just see what arrives in the mail..
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even World cards require $5K, not sure what World Elite requires
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even World cards require $5K, not sure what World Elite requires
Well, I got my Saks MCWE. Since the application doesn't ask for income, I have no clue how they obtain income data. I read somewhere (I think in a press release) annual income for world elite is supposed to be $250k.
BTW, I am still waiting for my Priority Pass. I called PP customer service. They said call MC customer service. MC customer service said to call Saks customer service. Saks customer service said to call PP customer service.
I think I'll just wait a couple more weeks for the PP to show up in the mail!
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Well, I got my Saks MCWE. Since the application doesn't ask for income, I have no clue how they obtain income data. I read somewhere (I think in a press release) annual income for world elite is supposed to be $250k.
BTW, I am still waiting for my Priority Pass. I called PP customer service. They said call MC customer service. MC customer service said to call Saks customer service. Saks customer service said to call PP customer service.
I think I'll just wait a couple more weeks for the PP to show up in the mail!
What a phone run-around! Isn't there a dedicated 800 and international collect# on the back of the Saks World Elite MasterCard. Do they pick right up like for Citi Chairman? I would imagine that they connect you to HSBC customer service -- the issuer, not MA customer service.
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There is a dedicated 800 # on the card. The good news is an actual person answers. (I think a Saks customer service rep). Anyway, no one at HSBC, Saks, or PP knows when the PP card will be sent out. PP says HSBC has to request it once the MC card has been activated. I activated the card the day it arrived.
I'll let you know when the PP shows up...
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Well, I got my Saks MCWE. Since the application doesn't ask for income, I have no clue how they obtain income data. I read somewhere (I think in a press release) annual income for world elite is supposed to be $250k.
BTW, I am still waiting for my Priority Pass. I called PP customer service. They said call MC customer service. MC customer service said to call Saks customer service. Saks customer service said to call PP customer service.
I think I'll just wait a couple more weeks for the PP to show up in the mail!
First, I would check to make sure you have received World Elite Mastercard and not Platinum (it says on the front of the card, otherwise the cards look identical) They have been known to issue a lot of Platinum which do not come with those benefits.
Also Welcome to Saks credit card customer service. If you have not found this out, you probably will realize that your card is actually 2 cards in one. Saks charge with it's benefits and HSBC Mascercard with it's benefits. PP is actually the benefit of Mastercard as far as I know, so I would call HSBC directly.
I have found that Saks customer service is terrible and not even worth dealing with and as for World Elite Mastercard, HSBC does not have that great of customer service either.
Even though some of the benefits are good, we had to cancel our account because we could not get right answers or answers received form either customer service reps did not coincide with T&C listed.
I also think it is ridiculous to get 2 statements for one card (makes things more confusing then they are already)
Welcome to Saks World Elite!!!
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TAHKUCT....It IS World Elite....It says it on the card. Also, I have talked to HSBC directly. They were nice and all, but knew nothing about when the PP would be sent out.
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Someone on FW stated his PP card arrived a month after his account was approved. YMMV..
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TAHKUCT....It IS World Elite....It says it on the card. Also, I have talked to HSBC directly. They were nice and all, but knew nothing about when the PP would be sent out.
I ma glad to hear. I would then call HSBC customer service.
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I received my PP card a few days ago but I have had the Saks WEMC for at least three-four months...I applied for it immediately following its introduction here on FT!
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My Saks World Elite card (and yes I did look at the card carefully, it says so in the little ribbon in the middle of the card) just showed up. Now to play the Premier Pass waiting game with the rest of you.
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My Saks World Elite card (and yes I did look at the card carefully, it says so in the little ribbon in the middle of the card) just showed up. Now to play the Premier Pass waiting game with the rest of you.
Impressive World Elite Mastercard :)
Enjoy.
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Impressive World Elite Mastercard :)
Enjoy.
Interestingly this card has the shortest expiration date of any of my cards. It only gives me a year to use it. I guess they're seeing how they do with this card before giving people multi-year accounts..
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Wall Street Journal artcle published April 26 Posh Retailers Pile on Perks for Top Customers summarizes loyalty program updates by Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman/Bergdorf, Bloomingdales, and Barneys. All are tied to their credit card, but primarily based on purchases from their own stores.
...growing emphasis by luxury retailers on getting a "greater share of wallet" from their 100,000 or 200,000 top spenders, rather than trying to attract new customers. With department stores overall losing market share, their goal is to increase the profits generated by their best customers. At Neiman Marcus, for instance, the top 100,000 customers each spend more than $12,000 a year at the store, while other shoppers spend an average of about $600....the more than 100,000 shoppers in its In Circle loyalty program spent $1.3 billion last year, accounting for almost half of its business...It's also testing a credit card that lets shoppers earn points on dollars spent outside Neiman stores
Nordstrom restructured its program following six months of focus-group study and surveys. Its conclusion: People are less interested in discounts and more interested in perks, such as attending Nordstrom grand opening celebrations, being pampered during private shopping parties, concierge services and free alterations and shipping.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117755085216982905-search.html?KEYWORDS=nordstrom&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month
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I have never really thought about Saks rewards. I earn Saks Rewards and get gift cards through my American Express. Frankly, I never understood the AMEX Saks benefit very well. What does WEMC offer beyond AMEX?
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I have never really thought about Saks rewards. I earn Saks Rewards and get gift cards through my American Express. Frankly, I never understood the AMEX Saks benefit very well. What does WEMC offer beyond AMEX?
I never did either. Looks like HSBC and MasterCard have pulled ahead. For one you can earn Saks gift cards based on all your spending on the card, not just Saks spending. I think the Amex is only for Saks spending, unless of course your use memebrship rewards points for Saks gift cards, but I don;t think that was the main benefit of the Amex Plt.
It is almost as if you had used the Saks Amex Plt benefit, you get more value if you used Saks World Elite MasterCard, and ditch the Amex Plt. for Saks purchases.
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We do not shop at Saks, but my understanding is that if you use American Express Platinum or Centurion at Saks you earn one Membership Rewards point per dollar plus one SaksFirst point; but that's all, you do not earn any credit toward the status levels in SaksFirst. If you use a Saks card (including the World Elite Mastercard) you earn two SaksFirst points per dollar, up to $5,000 but then you earn more as explained here...
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/get_to_point.jsp
The Saks elite levels, which are based stictly on spending at Saks with a Saks card, are explained here..
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp
The benefits of the World Elite Mastercard which are unrelated to Saks are explained here...
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/world_elite_benefits.jsp
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We do not shop at Saks, but my understanding is that if you use American Express Platinum or Centurion at Saks you earn one Membership Rewards point per dollar plus one SaksFirst point; but that's all, you do not earn any credit toward the status levels in SaksFirst. If you use a Saks card (including the World Elite Mastercard) you earn two SaksFirst points per dollar, up to $5,000 but then you earn more as explained here...
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/get_to_point.jsp
The Saks elite levels, which are based stictly on spending at Saks with a Saks card, are explained here..
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp
The benefits of the World Elite Mastercard which are unrelated to Saks are explained here...
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/world_elite_benefits.jsp
Thanks Dennis. I did not realize that you could not earn Saks status with AMEX. I had never really thought about Saks status until I saw the WEMC. I just knew that I got gift cards through the AMEX/Saks relationship.
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...did not realize that you could not earn Saks status with AMEX.
I hope I'm right ;) . I recall investigating the Saks and Neiman programs at the time I registered my Platinum card with both, and I'm pretty sure Saks is the one that merely awarded points. Mrs Mia favors Nordstrom with her business, and it doesn't really mater what is on offer at the others. We may consider the Nordstrom Signature VISA (1% foreign currency fee) now that Merrill+ has added a 2% fee.
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IMHO NM is better than saks - their awards are great, and include UA and AA transfers, as well as offering bonus opportunities regularly. (plus when you reach thresholds you get additional benefits / awards)
amex gets you NM point + MR point.
saks points only get you saks GC.
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First, I would check to make sure you have received World Elite Mastercard and not Platinum (it says on the front of the card, otherwise the cards look identical) They have been known to issue a lot of Platinum which do not come with those benefits.
Also Welcome to Saks credit card customer service. If you have not found this out, you probably will realize that your card is actually 2 cards in one. Saks charge with it's benefits and HSBC Mascercard with it's benefits. PP is actually the benefit of Mastercard as far as I know, so I would call HSBC directly.
I have found that Saks customer service is terrible and not even worth dealing with and as for World Elite Mastercard, HSBC does not have that great of customer service either.
Even though some of the benefits are good, we had to cancel our account because we could not get right answers or answers received form either customer service reps did not coincide with T&C listed.
I also think it is ridiculous to get 2 statements for one card (makes things more confusing then they are already)
Welcome to Saks World Elite!!!
The reason for the sorry customer service is because Saks sold out it's credit card operation several years ago to Household Bank (SUPER LOUSEY SERVICE) which became HSBC (SAME SUPER LOUSEY SERVICE).