Question
Does anyone has any more info on this card beyond the website? How is the service, benefits, etc - could it be a replacement to AMEX Plt?
Thanks
UA 100K
Answer
Does anyone has any more info on this card beyond the website? How is the service, benefits, etc - could it be a replacement to AMEX Plt?
Thanks
UA 100K
This link was posted in another forum... The benefits seem to increase with your spending. I only glanced at it, but the benefits tiering system appears to be based on spending at Saks
<< Removed bad link. See Kagehitokiri's post below >>
Answer
He said beyond the website, I presumed he had read that..
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=14084 74395222441&bmUID=1160611582159 is the link I posted in exclusive card thread.
yay for post stretching ads :D
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/get_to_point.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395 222441&bmUID=1160666819021
there are no rewards like incircle at NM. you only get "cashback" AT saks. (to spend at saks)
Answer
He said beyond the website, I presumed he had read that..
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=14084 74395222441&bmUID=1160611582159 is the link I posted in exclusive card thread.
yay for post stretching ads :D
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/get_to_point.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395 222441&bmUID=1160666819021
there are no rewards like incircle at NM. you only get "cashback" AT saks. (to spend at saks)
Thanks for re-posting that link :)
Answer
np. its unfortunate they break so often during copy/paste :(
Answer
Just received an offer in the mail for this to"upgrade" my Saks account ("You're among the very first Saks customers who will experience this rewarding new card...")
2500 bonus points with first purchase
Unlimited earnings with no point expiration dates
Complimentary international companion airline tickets on participating airlines (no list provided) with purchase of a qualifying full-fare First or Business-class international ticket
Personalized World Elite travel agent and concierge services
Admisssion to more than 450 airport lounges; a nominal fee is assessed for access to select airport lounges
No annual fee
Other program elements are all part of the existing SaksFirst program; this card allows earnings of 1 point per dollar spent outside of SFA
Interestingly, I am mixed about whether to "upgrade" my account. On the one hand, it is a no-brainer because I am already an active SaksFirst program member and there is no annual fee. BUT, I just applied and received the new *wood business card and don;t want another credit report pull so quickly since I may be rolling my HELOC and primary mortgage into a new primary soon...
Answer
ok, dont the saks points just give you cashback? thats what it says on their website.
no information anywhere to suggest its anything like incircle at NM..
youre saying you have a saks credit card right? can you clear that up?
Answer
ok, dont the saks points just give you cashback? thats what it says on their website.
no information anywhere to suggest its anything like incircle at NM..
youre saying you have a saks credit card right? can you clear that up?
Yes, the SaksFirst program gives you a gift card to spend @ Saks based on points accrued the previous year. There are some other "soft" perks -- invites to cocktail receptions/trunk shows. They sometimes give freebies exclusively to Saks First members on specific days (example, an Estee Lauder compact, full size bottle of men's cologne, etc. -- great for the gift closet!)
Free shipping (often free express shipping) on catalog and saks.com orders and free local delivery...they don't always charge me for alterations either -- all these benefits are worth more than the cash back feature to me
The program is not like InCircle at NM..but has a much lower threshold. $1000 spend a year earns points at the 2% level...and if you shop on double and triple points days, it can add up. % back increases based on annual base expenditure. What I don't like is that the gift card is only valid for a couple of months.
Oh, and a mystery gift card for use on your birthday, with value up to $500. Since I am usually traveling on my birthday, can't comment on the type of values that are typical on this.
Answer
So is the priority pass memebership the type where you get into the lounge for free, or the one where you have to pay $$$ for each visit?
A free PP membership with free access sounds too good to be true.
Answer
So is the priority pass memebership the type where you get into the lounge for free, or the one where you have to pay $$$ for each visit?
Admisssion to more than 450 airport lounges; a nominal fee is assessed for access to select airport lounges
I would assume from that wording that it's a regular pay-per-visit Priority Pass.
Answer
OK, some more details. Basically the benefits of the World Elite MC are the same as Saks First Benefits, plus basic Priority Pass membership (which requires a fee per admission), 24-hour concierge, trip cancellation insurance, etc. Their travel agent service is through Virtuoso.
Additional benefits of SaksFirst vary based an annual spending @ SFA, but in addition to the benefits at Saks (gift card based on soending, free shipping, etc.) also include some travel partner benefits. For example:
Base level:
PARTNER BENEFITS***
THE RITZ-CARLTON
$50 hotel credit
MERCEDES-BENZ
$1,000 Saks Gift Card when you buy or lease a new car
SEABOURN
Save 10% on your next cruise
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Complimentary companion tickets
$250 off Club WorldSM fare to London
$50 off World Traveller PlusSM fare to London
ABERCROMBIE & KENT
$250 off a companion itinerary
At higher levels, benefits include suite and club-level upgrades at Ritz Carlton, First Class upgrades on BA with purchase of Business Class fare. Check the links of the SFA website for more details....
Answer
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=14084 74395222441&bmUID=1160611582159 = benefits
the whole point is, you have to spend at saks to get benefits, and the only thing you get in return is saks gift cards.
so to me its worthless.
i personally like how incircle rewards at NM are redeemable, and you get them on top of memberhip rewards.
what kind of price/sale difference is there between saks and NM in general?
Answer
The "How it Works" links says you get points for spending at Saks and spending outside Saks.
Answer
it seemed to me that the tier level requirements are saks spending.
Answer
Quote from Program Guidelines:
Saks Fifth Avenue MasterCard Cardmembers
All Saks Fifth Avenue MasterCard customers are automatically enrolled in SAKSFIRST when they are approved for the card. You must acquire a total of 2,000 points in a calendar year in order to receive a bonus reward card. 2,000 point minimum can consist of any combination of base point or bonus points for eligible spend inside and outside of Saks base. You will receive 1 bonus point per dollar spent outside of Saks Fifth Avenue stores and saks.com and 1 bonus point per dollar spent at Off 5th (see below for point accumulation at Saks Fifth Avenue).
--------
Where does it say that the tier level requirements are saks spending?
Answer
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/SaksFirst/benefits_overview.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=14084 74395222441&bmUID=1160611582159 = benefits
i personally like how incircle rewards at NM are redeemable, and you get them on top of memberhip rewards.
what kind of price/sale difference is there between saks and NM in general?
Saks and NM prices are virtually identical and I've found their sales to be similar too. The best sale values at either store are greatly impacted by your relationship with key sales personnel/personal shoppers, who will set aside items they know you like if a sale is coming up, will let you know and either hold the item or pre-ring purchases if an additional markdown is coming up, etc. (My Mother taught me the importnace of having a Saks "shoe lady" and "handbag lady" at a very tender age.)
I just happen to shop at Saks more often because there is a great SFA store less than 2 miles from my home. For years, the closest Nm store was a 45 drive away. The NM in Palm Beach that opened a few years ago is very small, with limited merchandise selection (but great post-holiday sales). YMMV
This thread isn;t really intended to be an InCircle vs. SaksFirst comparison -- it's about the travel benefits afforded by the new world Elite Mastercard.
For me, its not biggie -- since this card doesn't cost anything and I'm already a SaksFirst member, kind of a no-brainer. If someone doesn;t shop at Saks, this card seems to have limited appeal in comparison to others.
Answer
pbjag, is tier determined by total credit card spending, or only saks spending?
Answer
I asked on the Live Chat feature of the Saks website and was told SaksFirst Diamond status is based on spending $25,000 only at Saks. This confirms my expectation because $25,000 is too low a threshold for top tier if it were based on total credit card spend.
Answer
thanks for confirming that mia