If Salle Mae codes a store as grocery should AMEX as well?

[Anonymous]

Got an offer to upgrade to the AMEX BCP with a $150 bonus.

I use my Sallie Mae at grocery stores a lot. My super walmart and target code as grocery at 5%. Will the BCP code as grocery as well at the same locations?

And after the bonus, can I downgrade back to the BCE card with no AF. How does that work?

[Anonymous]

You can downgrade later if you want.
Just because Sallie Mae codes it as grocery doesn't mean AmEx will. Different lenders and different networks. Some people have trouble at Walmart getting AmEx to code it right. Also depends on the location of the merchant. I do know that Sallie Mae is more lenient though.

[Anonymous]

So can i get the bonus and then downgrade?

[longtimelurker]

Re downgrade, they may want the card to be a year old, but since the AF isn't waived, it may not be issue.

But as others have said, Visa/MC will often count as groceries things that Amex does not.  Target and Walmart "superstores" are  a typical example, Walmart neighbourhood markets often do count for Amex.