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Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

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rtw
Established Contributor

Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Does anyone know if Trader Joe's counts as a free standing grocery store for Amex BCP cash back purposes?


Starting Score: EX: 575 (PSECU 5/2/12) TU: 582 (3/6/12) EQ: 664 (4/27/12)
Current Score: EX: 699 (PSECU 06/04/14) 702 (my FICO 08/05/14) TU: 699 (08/01/14) EQ: 675 (07/08/14)
Goal Score: 720
20K PSECU 7/12 | 12K USAA 9/12 | 11K BOA 1-2-3 9/12 | 9K Citi HHonors 9/12 | 8.5K Citi AAdvantage 5/08 | 5K Chase Sapphire Pref. 9/12 | 3.8K Barclays USAir 7/12 | 6K Walmart Dis. 11/12 | 1K Amex SPG 11/12 | 2K Amex BCP 1/13
Message 1 of 11
10 REPLIES 10
bs6054
Valued Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Definitely yes.  Used my card at several Trader Joes and got the 6%.

Message 2 of 11
rtw
Established Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Thanks bs6054. Starting to strategize on how to recoup the annual fee.


Starting Score: EX: 575 (PSECU 5/2/12) TU: 582 (3/6/12) EQ: 664 (4/27/12)
Current Score: EX: 699 (PSECU 06/04/14) 702 (my FICO 08/05/14) TU: 699 (08/01/14) EQ: 675 (07/08/14)
Goal Score: 720
20K PSECU 7/12 | 12K USAA 9/12 | 11K BOA 1-2-3 9/12 | 9K Citi HHonors 9/12 | 8.5K Citi AAdvantage 5/08 | 5K Chase Sapphire Pref. 9/12 | 3.8K Barclays USAir 7/12 | 6K Walmart Dis. 11/12 | 1K Amex SPG 11/12 | 2K Amex BCP 1/13
Message 3 of 11
bs6054
Valued Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's


@rtw wrote:

Thanks bs6054. Starting to strategize on how to recoup the annual fee.


What is your usual grocery bill?  If you normally spend 6K or more a year, no problem, just spend it there and get $360 back (+ whatever on gas etc if you don't have a better card for that).  Otherwise go to chain supermarkets and buy gift cards for stuff you buy elsewhere, many big supermarkets have a wide range of cards for stuff like clothing (Gap, REI etc), restuarants, Amazon, gas, phone etc.  It should be easy to spend 6K!

Message 4 of 11
rtw
Established Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Thanks for the info. I find myself doing a lot of grocery shopping at Target and Walmart for the convenience but I am realizing that they probably would not count as a free standing grocery store.


Starting Score: EX: 575 (PSECU 5/2/12) TU: 582 (3/6/12) EQ: 664 (4/27/12)
Current Score: EX: 699 (PSECU 06/04/14) 702 (my FICO 08/05/14) TU: 699 (08/01/14) EQ: 675 (07/08/14)
Goal Score: 720
20K PSECU 7/12 | 12K USAA 9/12 | 11K BOA 1-2-3 9/12 | 9K Citi HHonors 9/12 | 8.5K Citi AAdvantage 5/08 | 5K Chase Sapphire Pref. 9/12 | 3.8K Barclays USAir 7/12 | 6K Walmart Dis. 11/12 | 1K Amex SPG 11/12 | 2K Amex BCP 1/13
Message 5 of 11
SnackTrader
Valued Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Break even point on BCP vs BCE is $210 in groceries per month. Approximately $52 a week. 

 

Any spending on gas or department stores lowers the grocery break even point. So depending on what rewards your other cards have, you should be able to recover the annual fee with your normal grocery spending at standalone supermarkets, and with gift cards to supplement if your spending doesn't support the $210 per month. 


In My Wallet: Amex BCP (12/12) $50,000, Chase Freedom (12/12) $16,500, Cap1 Quicksilver (6/12) $14,000, Barclaycard Rewards (5/13) $10,500, Citi Prestige (4/16) $30,000

Last App: June 27, 2015
Message 6 of 11
Open123
Super Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Since the 6% is capped at 6K now, it should be pretty easy to maximize.

 

Just go to a supermarket, and buy gift cards for Starbucks, Amzn, restaurants, or any dept stores you frequent.  This way, you get 6% on virtually all spending up to $6K.  For intance, if you were buying something from Best Buy, just buy the gift cards from the Supermket, then use the gift cards at Best Buy.

 

This is why Amex capped it $6K, otherwise one could get 6% on all spend.

Message 7 of 11
bs6054
Valued Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Right, and to truly maximize, get gift cards (that you can use of course!) that aren't covered by other cards.  So if you have say CitiForward, which already gives 5% (ok, nominally!) on restaurants/fast food, not worth using part of the 6K for that.

 

As a last resort, people have suggested buying Visa/MC gift cards, you can get $500 for a fee of around $6.  BCP gives you $30 off on these so you are making $24.

 

But with spend capped at 6K, many will be able to get all the gift cards needed without paying fees.

 

 

Edit: And of course, if this is too much spend, you can always downgrade to BCE and not have a fee.

Message 8 of 11
rtw
Established Contributor

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

Thanks folks! Looks like I have some numbers crunching to do. I need to look at my various cards and their benefits. It's a good problem to have!


Starting Score: EX: 575 (PSECU 5/2/12) TU: 582 (3/6/12) EQ: 664 (4/27/12)
Current Score: EX: 699 (PSECU 06/04/14) 702 (my FICO 08/05/14) TU: 699 (08/01/14) EQ: 675 (07/08/14)
Goal Score: 720
20K PSECU 7/12 | 12K USAA 9/12 | 11K BOA 1-2-3 9/12 | 9K Citi HHonors 9/12 | 8.5K Citi AAdvantage 5/08 | 5K Chase Sapphire Pref. 9/12 | 3.8K Barclays USAir 7/12 | 6K Walmart Dis. 11/12 | 1K Amex SPG 11/12 | 2K Amex BCP 1/13
Message 9 of 11
tdoger
Established Member

Re: Amex BCP - Groceries - Trader Joe's

I have a new BCE and am waiting to see how it treats the WalMart and Target i frequent for points.  My Barclays treats both as grocery, so double points.  If both are grocery for Amex, I would think of PC to the BCP.  If not, I will continue to use the Barclays at those stores.  Gas is double on both BCE and Barclays, but Barclays doubles "utilities" (cable tv, cell phone, water).  

Message 10 of 11
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