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I have a Citi card that pays 5% on gas and grocery purchases, and 1% on everything else. I only use it for purchases that earn 5%, and use my miles card on other purchases. Recently, I have noticed that my supermarket now sells gift cards for a variety of other stores (Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.). If i bought a $100 Home Depot gift card at the grocery store, would I get the 5% reward on that, or is that transaction somehow coded differently? Has anyone tried this yet?
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I have a Citi card that pays 5% on gas and grocery purchases, and 1% on everything else. I only use it for purchases that earn 5%, and use my miles card on other purchases. Recently, I have noticed that my supermarket now sells gift cards for a variety of other stores (Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.). If i bought a $100 Home Depot gift card at the grocery store, would I get the 5% reward on that, or is that transaction somehow coded differently? Has anyone tried this yet?
Sir, you could be the first and let us know. :)
There were a couple of postings but no definitive answer yet. As someone mentioned, it will be depending on how merchants code the transactions...
I'm planning to test it out but don't hold your breath..
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At my usual grocery store chain, they also accumlate gas discounts for use at their gas pumps. Every $50 I spend gets me 10 cents off per gallon. Made me wonder if the gift cards would count, but I haven't asked them yet....
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well, I finally got around to trying it out, and I think it works! (at least at my grocery store - Giant Eagle). I brought the Home Depot card to the register with the rest of my groceries, and it was activated as part of the regular checkout. I haven't received my bill yet to confirm the 5% treatment, but since the single transaction has posted online, I can't imagine they would have anyway of separating out the gift card from the remainder of my items later. Could this be the best loophole ever? Better take advantage of it while it lasts!
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Well, there's supposed to be a $300 limit a year for Citi Dividend so I dunno if it's the best loophole ever, but it sounds like a good one until you reach the limit.
Does your Giant Eagle do the Fuelperks thing? I was musing above about the same store (without naming it). Here in the home market many of them now have gas stations attached, and you earn 10 cents off per gallon for every $50 you spend in the store. Did the gift card count towards that, or do they not have that program at your store?
If they count towards the fuel bonus, that would just be insane. :D
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I wish my grocery store would start carrying giftcards. I am going to start looking more closely.
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Does your Giant Eagle do the Fuelperks thing?
The Giant Eagles in Cleveland don't sell gas.
I wish my grocery store would start carrying giftcards.
Also check your drugstores - I've noticed that CVS has started selling them.
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The Giant Eagles in Cleveland don't sell gas.
Alright. Guess I'll have to guinea pig that one myself. ;)
Also check your drugstores - I've noticed that CVS has started selling them.
It is a new trend, yes. I've seen them several places it seems like, though beyond the grocery I can't remember exactly where all the time. Just keep looking. Even if one chain doesn't do this, another might.
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YES, it will give you 5% on GC purchase. However, not all cashiers let you use CC for GC.
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YES, it will give you 5% on GC purchase. However, not all cashiers let you use CC for GC.
why would it be up to the cashier? isn't that more of a store policy?
also, re: only being able to do this for $6,000 of spending per year before maxing out on the $300 benefit, I am now thinking about having my wife open her own account (currently she uses a second card from the same account). That would give us $12,000 worth of grocery, gas, drug, and gift card purchases per year.
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why would it be up to the cashier? isn't that more of a store policy?
The cashier told me the store policy is not to accept CC for GC. Im guessing because I bought grocery along with the GC, the cashier went ahead took the CC payment.
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Keep in mind one thing - many credit cards have buyer protection - if something were to happen to a purchase within 90 days of purchase it is insured. You would lose this insurance if you made your purchase with a gift card.
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You are right. but I haven never claimed buyer protection insurance. I don't think it is enough to stop people buying GC.
Keep in mind one thing - many credit cards have buyer protection - if something were to happen to a purchase within 90 days of purchase it is insured. You would lose this insurance if you made your purchase with a gift card.
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I have used it several times and it has more than paid for the miles or points I would have gotten. I bought a framed piece of art that got knocked down by my young daugher - and I got the glass replaced because I had charged it on my credit card. My dog had chewed a new carry on tote that I had just bought, and I got the purchase price refunded so I could buy another one. My husband had put a bookcase together and did it wrong and drilled holes in the wrong places and I got it replaced. I had put my recently purchased cell phone in my pocket where I put a piece of chocolate - and I ruined the phone, and I got it replaced. So, depending what you are buying, this buyer protection insurance could come in pretty handy. One time my daughter used a gift certificate for a pair of leather pants from Old Navy. After she got home she said that she thought she should have bought it with a credit card instead - so she went back and changed the transactions. If you use gift cards for things that don't matter much it is one thing - but if it is a bigger ticket item, I don't think it is worth it.
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So, depending what you are buying, this buyer protection insurance could come in pretty handy. One time my daughter used a gift certificate for a pair of leather pants from Old Navy. After she got home she said that she thought she should have bought it with a credit card instead - so she went back and changed the transactions. If you use gift cards for things that don't matter much it is one thing - but if it is a bigger ticket item, I don't think it is worth it.
Your point is well taken. But I don't understand how it applies to leather pants. Purchase assurance doesn't cover "Losses due to normal wear and tear, misuse, fraud, gradual deterioration, and/or abuse."
Is your daughter worried that the dog is going to eat her pants or something like that? I'm surprised that MC didn't treat the dog's chewing of the bag as misuse or abuse.
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But if someone bumped into her and spilled food that stained it, it would be covered, - or if they were stolen - obviously the first 90 days wouldn't be wear and tear - but damage would be covered. My dog chewed a new travel case that I purchased and damaged the zipper etc. They replaced. it.
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Hello,
I'm a first time poster in this credit card forum, I just got the Citi dividend card because of the info in this thread. Thank you. I just started checking my account on line and it seems my rewards are only 1% - I use it just for gas and groceries - does the other 4% post at the end of the month? Thanks in advance if anyone answers - I think if this works that 5% back is quite a good deal.
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dgordon - do you "own" anything then? It seems that everything you have bought has been returned or "replaced". Over the last ten years, I have had t o use my CC "protection" ONCE. Yet all these things seem to happen to you in the first 90 days???? Hmmmm. :rolleyes:
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Hello,
I'm a first time poster in this credit card forum, I just got the Citi dividend card because of the info in this thread. Thank you. I just started checking my account on line and it seems my rewards are only 1% - I use it just for gas and groceries - does the other 4% post at the end of the month? Thanks in advance if anyone answers - I think if this works that 5% back is quite a good deal.The online reporting has been a problem for awhile now, but the 5% does correctly post when you get your statement. See this thread for more...
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418647
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Yes, it does all seem to get noted correctly eventually, but not necessarily online as you're going along. After you get your statement, the online number should be correct.
Worth noting not to forget the online shopping feature of the Dividend card. Sign in and click the rather obscure link on the bottom left. Earnings through the online store are not subject to the annual cap. And there are some significant items in there, such as 5% back on up to $2000 of Amazon gift certificates, for instance. Several other options for 5% and up earnings.
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Thank you Crazy and Jerry for your quick replies - I feel a lot better now. This does seem like a good deal - I'm appreciative of this board for my current credit cards - this one and the SPG amex - now I'll get some gas money back as I drive to my free stay at the Sheraton :)
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Worth noting not to forget the online shopping feature of the Dividend card. Sign in and click the rather obscure link on the bottom left. Earnings through the online store are not subject to the annual cap. And there are some significant items in there, such as 5% back on up to $2000 of Amazon gift certificates, for instance. Several other options for 5% and up earnings.
Just went to the site, and I dont find Amazon in any category, nor the giftcertificate category.
It seems Home Depot is gone too.
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I find that both times I did an online check request, I was offered a 1% bonus rebate for the next 3 months. That makes it 2 and 6%. I maxed out my 300 pretty quick and called them. They issued me a 2nd card, and just split the credit limit between them the way I wanted it. 2 cards is the max they said!
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Oops! Wrong forum!
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Just went to the site, and I dont find Amazon in any category, nor the giftcertificate category.
It seems Home Depot is gone too.
I don't see Home Depot, but Amazon is on here:
http://www.citidividendmerchants.citicards.com/shop/SHP_MerchantHome.aspx?cID=all
Now, I haven't clicked any further than that, as I haven't activated my card yet. I just used it for BT so I won't be shopping with it now. But it's on that list. I'd be rather upset they tried to claim it was no longer available when it's clearly showing on that site.
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I don't see Home Depot, but Amazon is on here:
http://www.citidividendmerchants.citicards.com/shop/SHP_MerchantHome.aspx?cID=all
Now, I haven't clicked any further than that, as I haven't activated my card yet. I just used it for BT so I won't be shopping with it now. But it's on that list. I'd be rather upset they tried to claim it was no longer available when it's clearly showing on that site.
First, Amazon is a no show under Book category.
Second, when you go to gift certificate category, Amazon is NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.
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I find that both times I did an online check request, I was offered a 1% bonus rebate for the next 3 months. That makes it 2 and 6%. I maxed out my 300 pretty quick and called them. They issued me a 2nd card, and just split the credit limit between them the way I wanted it. 2 cards is the max they said!
That 5% came in very handy for me to pay for a Panama crossing cruise and related airfares.
Just order another check this morning, look forward to see what kind of promo they may have this time.
I am about to max out the 300 too. They already told me last time that I can get another one so in all practicality, 600 is the maximum one can get in a calendar year.
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Just order another check this morning, look forward to see what kind of promo they may have this time.
I am about to max out the 300 too. They already told me last time that I can get another one so in all practicality, 600 is the maximum one can get in a calendar year.
I usually see the promo offer online as soon as I'm done ordering my check.
With the bonus promo rates, I too hit the $300 fast. I'm all my neighbors bill paying service. :D
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opps wrong pots
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I usually see the promo offer online as soon as I'm done ordering my check.
With the bonus promo rates, I too hit the $300 fast. I'm all my neighbors bill paying service. :D
Last time the promo came in the form of a letter attached to the check.
Interesting your neighbors would let you pay for their bills using credit cards - and you get cash from them ... I assume. My neighbor has his own Citi Dividend card. lol.
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Not sure if this has been mentioned else but found the promo in Sunday papers.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
$100 after 1st purchase
5 thank you pts for merchants like Banana Rep, BB and more
1 Thank you pts for everything else.
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First, Amazon is a no show under Book category.
Second, when you go to gift certificate category, Amazon is NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.
Still there when I click my link. It's not under any categories, it's right on that page. The exact page that comes up from clicking my link shows a large heading "4. Gift Certificates" with some "Featured Merchants" just below it. In that list of featured merchants is Amazon.com. If you still don't see it, I can only assume you're getting a different page somehow. If you click through to any categories you will not see it.
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Still there when I click my link. It's not under any categories, it's right on that page. The exact page that comes up from clicking my link shows a large heading "4. Gift Certificates" with some "Featured Merchants" just below it. In that list of featured merchants is Amazon.com. If you still don't see it, I can only assume you're getting a different page somehow. If you click through to any categories you will not see it.
what you get is this message :
Parent Merchant Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do I earn cash back at this merchant?
You must be logged in to view this week's avalable coupons.
And after you log on, you cannot find Amazon.com under any category (from Books to Gift Certificates) Barnes & Noble though, is everywhere.
I wonder have you ever successfully ordered the gift certificate from Amazon.com thru the merchants network ? Or when you click on Amazon.com link you get a different page than I got ? Or all you ever did, were up to the page where Amazon.com is shown as a choice, but you NEVER ever click thru it to see what follows ?
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Sorry, just trying to help. You said it wasn't there, I said where I saw it. I clearly stated in my Jun 13 note that I didn't click beyond where I saw it. If you had explained what happened from the beginning I wouldn't have kept trying to point out where it is apparently uselessly listed.
Complain to Citi if it's not there. Take a screenshot. Tell them they're being deceptive. It certainly would p*ss me off after seeing it as a choice on the main page to not be able to get points for Amazon. But right now it's moot for me because I'm not doing any shopping with the Citi card.
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Sorry, just trying to help. You said it wasn't there, I said where I saw it. I clearly stated in my Jun 13 note that I didn't click beyond where I saw it. If you had explained what happened from the beginning I wouldn't have kept trying to point out where it is apparently uselessly listed.
Complain to Citi if it's not there. Take a screenshot. Tell them they're being deceptive. It certainly would p*ss me off after seeing it as a choice on the main page to not be able to get points for Amazon. But right now it's moot for me because I'm not doing any shopping with the Citi card.
Because when you just go to the site, instead of using the link you have bookmarked, Amazon is NOT listed.
Cannot say Citi misled, as on the current homepage and all, there is no such listing. Web page can last forever but it is when you actually try to "do" it, that is where the current info surface.
I was trying to help too - to show people that Amazon is not part of the network as others, may be like me, try to use it but it is not available.
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Heh. Blame me all you like, but it's still there and is misleading.
The sequence: I log into my card account at citicards.com, as I do when I want to check my balance or see if my payment has cleared. In the lower left hand corner of that page is the shopping link. I click that and get sent to this page:
http://www.citidividendmerchants.citicards.com/default.aspx?pid=004
That's the homepage for Citi Dividend Merchant Network. On the right sidebar of that page are a few sample logos of participating companies, along with a link that says "View All Companies". If you click the view all companies link, you get this page:
http://www.citidividendmerchants.citicards.com/shop/SHP_MerchantHome.aspx?cID=all
Low and behold, that's the same link I posted 2 weeks ago. And damned if it doesn't still say Amazon.com in Section 4. Gift Certificates under Featured Merchants.
That is not just using my bookmark, that is going to the site as of this minute, with a clean browser cache and everything. It's not an old page, it's the current page on the server listing all merchants.
Were I in a position to shop right now and I clicked through to that and was not able to get points for Amazon, I would complain, as it clearly appears to me they are saying that Amazon certificates can earn the cash back. As it stands right now, I don't care, except I'm being accused of being the problem here when I'm just pointing out what is clearly happening on the site. Quite probably they have some kind of terms that protect them against this sort of error, but the fact remains that there is some misleading going on there (intentional or not, who knows) if you are in fact unable to get credit for buying Amazon certificates.
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Bottom line is Amazon is not available and one can call Citi to complain, but does nto help anyone who read the posts and thought Amazon is available only to find out it aint when one actually tries to do it.
Posted the info is to let others know the reality so others dont have to waste time to find out (like I have done.)