topic Re: Why do I seem to love Discover? in Credit Cards

Why do I seem to love Discover?

RockinRay — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:01:09 GMT

I cannot understand myself.... :)

1. Lowest CL, $1500.00.

2. Low caps on catagories as compared to my Chase Freedom.

3. Was told I would be eligable for a CLI after 6 months "track record".

But yet, I continue to use the card as my go to card. Maybe I just want the challenge to see how much of a CLI I can get at 6 months?

I just do not know! :)

Ray

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

BoSox617 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:13:48 GMT

Hi RockinRay,

I'm an unabashed Discover lover :smileyhappy: IME, the real savings aren't found in their quarterly rotating categories, they are found in their online shopping discounts, partner gift cards, and customer-initiated inquiries for promotional offers.

Here's a quick summary of what I've been able to get in the past ferw months alone:

1. $20 customer-initiated cash back ($1 per transaction for 20 transactions): I called Discover at the end of June to ask if I were eligible for any promotions - and they gave me this.

2. 1.9% promotional APR for 6 months: I called them to ask for a temporary reduction in APR, for upcoming furniture purchases.

3. Lots and lots of online shopping: $25 cash back for a new plasma television, $17 off of a beauty purchase, etc.

4. Trading in cash back for partner gift cards: I'll be getting $200 worth of dinnerware from Pier 1 Imports just from trading in cash back for partner gift cards, and combining them with in-store coupons (trade in $40 rewards for a $50 gift card, or trade in $80 rewards for a $100 gift card).

5. $3K CLI

IME, they WANT to be your #1 card, and like to see lots of usage. I pay multiple times per month, and they commented favorably on seeing this.

I am a huge cash back fan, and they are by far my absolute favorite. Their Customer Service is fantastic, and they definitely have gone above and beyond to make me happy.

Best of luck!

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

RockinRay — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:18:16 GMT

Thanks for the reply... I will need to start taking advantage of their online shopping and discounts.

I too am after the cash back, playing the game so to speak!

I did call them at 90 days and asked about a CLI and they were of course very nice to me. I agree their CS is top-notch. I guess I was blowing some steam becasue the CL is so low. As an example, Amex Costco is $22,200. Discover is $1500.

Feeling better already! :)

Ray

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

BoSox617 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:28:39 GMT

You're welcome!

If you are considering some big purchases, call them ahead of time and ask for a CLI - I did this twice (once for Christmas shopping, the other for furniture shopping). Each time, I received a $3K CLI. Don't be shy about letting them know that you WANT their business, that you want them to be your #1. Keep using that card, with time, it'll pay off :smileyhappy:

But seriously, call them regularly and ask if you are able for any promotions above and beyond the quarterly categories. Each time I have called, the CSRs are happy I did, and always invite me to call again in the future for more.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

RockinRay — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:37:25 GMT

Great idea on calling them! We could stand to purchase a new fridge... I think I will give them a call to see what they have to say.

Ray

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

slarano — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:51:17 GMT

My birthday is in August, and am happy to have found out that they double your cash back for normal purchases from 1% to 2% during your birthday month. Just signed up for it, will concentrate all purchases on Discover in August. :smileyhappy:

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

smc733 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:59:38 GMT

simonlarano wrote:
My birthday is in August, and am happy to have found out that they double your cash back for normal purchases from 1% to 2% during your birthday month. Just signed up for it, will concentrate all purchases on Discover in August. :smileyhappy:

What if you haven't hit $3,000 spent for the year? Does it go from .25% to .5%? That really gives the shaft to people with birthdays in January-April.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

wollepopolle — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:10:06 GMT

BoSox617 wrote:

IME, they WANT to be your #1 card, and like to see lots of usage. I pay multiple times per month, and they commented favorably on seeing this.

I don't see how it matters what THEY want to see. Of course, they want to see usage. However, it matters more to me what I WANT TO DO.

If more customers would realize that THEY are in charge and not DISCOVER or any other credit card company.

There is only one thing that I do FOR Discover or any other of my cards:I pay my bill in full each month. That's the only thing I will do for them.

We've seen some people on here who used their cards a lot and got an auto CLI and we've seen others who didn't and still got a CLI. Conversely, we've also seen people who charged a ton and didn't get a CLI and people who never use their Discover much and didn't get a CLI.

Maybe they'll give me a CLI on my one-year anniversary. Maybe not. I take them for their 5% and online shopping and leave the general cashback to my other cards. I care zilch about what they want me to do (which would be ideally use the card for each and every transaction).

Having said this, I do like Discover. They are a good company but there are other good companies.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

scottwagnon — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:39:09 GMT

wollepopolle wrote:

Maybe they'll give me a CLI on my one-year anniversary.

getting a cli from discovercard is like pulling teeth. i just very recently received my first cli with them. i finally had to hard pull and even then i had to speak with a credit analyst. they gave me 1500 cli. i have been with them for 9.5 months.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

RockinRay — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:43:50 GMT

Yep - they are very conservative.

I will work them for two more months until I cross the 6 month date... Then I will call if no Auto CLI. Hopefully, they will take care f me.

If not - sock drawer and I will work to buld my Chase Freedom.

Ray

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

smc733 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:05:30 GMT

Lowest limit, crappy CLIs, charges take forever to post: mine is permanently sock-drawered.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

dp321 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:35:37 GMT

smc733 wrote:
simonlarano wrote:
My birthday is in August, and am happy to have found out that they double your cash back for normal purchases from 1% to 2% during your birthday month. Just signed up for it, will concentrate all purchases on Discover in August. :smileyhappy:
What if you haven't hit $3,000 spent for the year? Does it go from .25% to .5%? That really gives the shaft to people with birthdays in January-April.

You get 2% anyway, and the cashback should show up on your statement as promotional or something similar. HOWEVER, your spending in your birthday month does not count towards the $3,000 annual spending tier and it caps at $500. So the maximum you can earn is $10.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

O6 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:33:26 GMT

smc733 wrote:
Lowest limit, crappy CLIs, charges take forever to post: mine is permanently sock-drawered.

You do make a perfectly valid point. I do wish they were a bit more liberal with limts and would speed up the posting process.

Still, I use it heavily during the appropriate 5% periods. I also really, really appreciate that if I have to call they don't try to sell me junk.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

natezero — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:06:20 GMT

I feel like every time I call they try to get me to sign up for one of their services. The only saving grace is that a simple "no thanks" is enough to get them to leave me alone about it.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

BoSox617 — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:53:57 GMT

wollepopolle wrote:

I don't see how it matters what THEY want to see. Of course, they want to see usage. However, it matters more to me what I WANT TO DO.

If more customers would realize that THEY are in charge and not DISCOVER or any other credit card company.

There is only one thing that I do FOR Discover or any other of my cards:I pay my bill in full each month. That's the only thing I will do for them.

We've seen some people on here who used their cards a lot and got an auto CLI and we've seen others who didn't and still got a CLI. Conversely, we've also seen people who charged a ton and didn't get a CLI and people who never use their Discover much and didn't get a CLI.

Maybe they'll give me a CLI on my one-year anniversary. Maybe not. I take them for their 5% and online shopping and leave the general cashback to my other cards. I care zilch about what they want me to do (which would be ideally use the card for each and every transaction).

Having said this, I do like Discover. They are a good company but there are other good companies.

Hi Wollepopolle,

It’s not an “either or” situation” – Discover is a great fit for me, because I know my spending habits, and they are the best card to reward me for them in the ways that matter most to me :smileyhappy:

I don’t take a passive approach to credit. My CLIs, reduced promotional APR, and additional promotions were not automatic, they were customer-initiated. I know what I want, and I know who I want it from – and I am armed with a number of other cash back cards I can turn to if I am not happy. I only want to do business with companies that pay me for using them (rewards), and that acknowledge my history (CLIs, promotions, etc.). Discover has done all of that for me.

I agree, there are other good companies out there (I use PenFed for gas and AMEX BCP for supermarkets and department stores). But for me, Discover is absolutely the best overall.

Why “wait to see” if you’re going to get a CLI – take charge :smileyhappy: If you care about growing the line/getting additional rewards, call them (I’ve learned a lot just by calling and asking questions). If you don’t care, that’s fine too. But at least IME, you’re better off “taking charge” and communicating with them, as opposed to sitting back and “waiting”.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

ferrari — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:05:07 GMT

Same here. They want you to use the card they should butter you up

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

Alcibiades — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:14:13 GMT

I've had my first Discover for the past couple of months. I must say I like it.

I was sent a preapproval for a 15 month 0% APR on purchases and BTs. I applied for it and was worried about being approve as i had just done a few apps. I was approved for the 15 month offer with their lower APR after the promotional time period. $4000 CL, with is my third highest

I put a couple of charges on, and immediately I was sent a letter because they said their system determined I could be a candidate for a credit limit reduction :smileymad:

They called me and the CSR went over my income, other account history, etc. After the call, the CSR determined I should keep my $4,000 CL and overrode the system. :smileysurprised: I feel like most other banks would simply process the CLD without any questions asked.

I already have a good amount of cash back from the 5% "fashion" and drugstore purchase groups. I plan on using it this quarter on a hotel purchase and will use it again for holiday shopping this year.

Superficially I also like the card design, the fact it works over the Diners Club network internationally, etc.

For travel and other rewards I use Amex, but for cash back spending, Discover seems like a good card with much better customer service than normal. I plan on really building it

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

barbaralee — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:58:50 GMT

natezero wrote:
I feel like every time I call they try to get me to sign up for one of their services. The only saving grace is that a simple "no thanks" is enough to get them to leave me alone about it.

In all fairness the "no thanks" probably suffices because they don't want to sell, either. It is probably a part of their call flow to sell something, which can be just as annoying for the rep as it is for the customer.

I'm not a big fan of Discover... I had a student card a few years back and never used it. I don't do much online shopping, and I had other cards at the time that I preferred. Which is funny, because I was so happy and proud to be part of the Discover family when I opened the card... ended up cancelling it less than a year later because it was taking up space in my wallet.

Re: Why do I seem to love Discover?

RockinRay — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:27:36 GMT

To follow up on this, I did give them a call and told them we wanted to replace some applainces and I needed more credit. They held on to the "6 months needed" but told me that I would be elligable for a CLI at that time.

For now, I can live with that. I will still use them for every day charges with the exception of gas and dining out. We use PenFed for Gas and Amex (Costco) for dining out.

Ray