Author Archives: ccwatcher

Citi Dividend Amex: No Fee, 0% BT Until October 2007

Reported by FW, this promo offer pushes the new Citi Dividend Amex:

  • 5% Cash Back on supermarket, Drugstore, and gas station purchases
  • 1% Cash Back everywhere else
  • 0% APR on BT until 7/1/07, no BT fee with this offer***
  • $5 Cash Back on BT more than $1500
  • No annual fee

*** First BT and 100$ in purchases must post to account and not be returned within 3 months of becoming a cardmember to receive this rate until Oct. 1, 2007. Otherwise rate lasts until July 1, 2007. BT, Cash advances, and finance charges do not qualify as purchases under this offer.

To apply, visit www.signup.citicards.com and use offer code: P1G9

Or call 1-800-368-1265 by Sept. 15, 2006.

So it appears they’re making you jump through another hoop to get the 15-month balance transfer–namely, the $100 in purchases. It’s important to note that because of the “lower APR balances get paid off first” rule, it’s imperative that those purchases get paid off first before completing your balance transfer.

MasterCard Sweepstakes: Win 500 Plane Tickets Anywhere

Between now and August 31, 2006, every time you use your MasterCard, you’ll receive an entry into a sweepstakes to win 500 round-trip plane tickets. Fortunately, you don’t have to do all the flying yourself–should you win, these plane tickets can be also be shared with friends and family.

In addition, you’ll receive an additional entry if you use one of these airline partner cards. You’ll also earn an extra entry when you use your MasterCard to book a flight with any of the listed airlines. You can earn up to 3 entries per transaction.

For more details and the official rules, see http://www.priceless.com/summerpromo/index.html.

AMEX: Pay Two Bills Automatically and Get $20

Here’s another promotion from AMEX encouraging users to start charging their monthly bills on their card, similar to this old one for business card holders. Basically, as discovered by SD, if you sign up for two automatic bill pays, you get paid $20:

This offer is good for solicited Cardmembers only. First, contact your service providers and have your bill charged to your eligible, enrolled American Express® Card. Then, log on to americanexpress.com/paytwobills to enroll for the promotion by August 31, 2006. Bonus points will be credited to your account 12-14 weeks after the charges appear on your American Express statement. 2,000 point/ $20 cash back/2,000 miles/2,000 Starpoints/2,000 Hilton HHonors bonus point maximum.

Visit americanexpress.com/paytwobills for more information.

Bank of America Phasing Out 1.5% and 2% Cash Back on Power Rewards Visa

According to a few reports, including this one, Bank of America will be phasing out the 1.5% and 2% cash back redemption tiers on its Power Rewards Visa card:

I just called the Power Rewards Center at 1-888-434-2232, and they told me they will indeed be phasing out BOTH the 30,000 point reward (for $450 statement credit, 1.5% cash back), and the 50,000 point reward (for $1,000 statement credit, 2% cash back). She did not know when the phase out will occur, which is disappointing because I specifically asked her, “so, possibly by the end of this year?” She did not know.

Anyway, she said the highest cash back reward would be 20,000 points for a $200 statement credit, only 1% cash back.

This is a real shame, as this used to be a great card for big spenders, where a true 2% cash back was possible. Then again, that it was such a great deal probably spelled its demise. It also underscores the recurring problem with points based programs–that they can be devalued at any time.

Current cardholders would be well advised to get to one of the higher tiers and cash out while the 1.5% and 2% redemption tiers are still available. Currently these redemption options are only available by calling a CSR.

Chase PerfectCard: “Five Times the rewards” on Restaurant and Grocery Store Purchases Through July 2006

Got this offer in the mail the other day and it does not look targeted:

…From now until July 31, 2006, you’ll enjoy Five Times the rewards on all your qualifying restaurant and grocery store purchases… of course, you’ll still enjoy 3% rebates on qualified gas purchases and 1% on all other eligible purchaes as a valued Chase PerfectCard cardmember.

Best of all, this special “thank you” offer is automatic — there’s no need to activate it.

One major downside is that the fine print stipulates that the maximum rebate accumulation is $15 monthly, excluding purchases that earn 1%. This means that the limit will be reached after only $300 of restaurant/grocery spending, which is something to keep in mind.

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