topic Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti in Credit Cards

Macys card now really sucks Plenti

MJ-san — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:49:09 GMT

So I've finally gotten my head around how Plenti works after shopping at Macys yesterday.

Before, the Macys Amex earned 3% rewards on all Macy's purchases and 1% on all non-Macy's purchases. Not great, but not horrible.

The new Plenti rewards that replace the old Macy's program give 1 "point" for every $1 in purchases at Macy's for the Macy's card and everywhere for the Macy's Amex card. For beauty/fragrance purchases at Macys' that doubles to 2 "points" for every $1.

Points can be used at checkout, $10 = 1,000 points - which equals 1%

So they have effectively reduced the rewards by 2/3 (for most purchases) or 1/3 for beauty.

All that for the low, low APR of 24.5% should you ever need to revolve (which you should never do).

Based on that change ... I think we're better off using any other 1-2% cash back card -- especially one like Discover or Chase Freedom where you have a lower APR "just in case" -- even better when they occasionally have department stores at a bonus 5% level. Even with that ... you still earn 1 point per $10 (oooh! a whopping .1%). on top of what your credit card gives you back.

I'm kind of surprised that they put out this crappy of a program. It's by far one of the worst rewards structures I've seen.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

corymcd88 — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:52:14 GMT

Now their is a AMEX card card also.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Ghoshida — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:54:43 GMT

@MJ-san wrote:
So I've finally gotten my head around how Plenti works after shopping at Macys yesterday.

Before, the Macys Amex earned 3% rewards on all Macy's purchases and 1% on all non-Macy's purchases. Not great, but not horrible.

The new Plenti rewards that replace the old Macy's program give 1 "point" for every $1 in purchases at Macy's for the Macy's card and everywhere for the Macy's Amex card. For beauty/fragrance purchases at Macys' that doubles to 2 "points" for every $1.

Points can be used at checkout, $10 = 1,000 points - which equals 1%

So they have effectively reduced the rewards by 2/3 (for most purchases) or 1/3 for beauty.

All that for the low, low APR of 24.5% should you ever need to revolve (which you should never do).

Based on that change ... I think we're better off using any other 1-2% cash back card -- especially one like Discover or Chase Freedom where you have a lower APR "just in case" -- even better when they occasionally have department stores at a bonus 5% level. Even with that ... you still earn 1 point per $10 (oooh! a whopping .1%). on top of what your credit card gives you back.

I'm kind of surprised that they put out this crappy of a program. It's by far one of the worst rewards structures I've seen.

Why go through all that trouble when Discover Deals gets you 10% at macys.com?

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:55:08 GMT

Did you know there is an option to trade 500 MR for 400 Plenti points?

No wonder Chase and Citi are eating their lunch..

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Ghoshida — Wed, 06 May 2015 02:55:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Did you know there is an option to trade 500 MR for 400 Plenti points?

No wonder Chase and Citi are eating their lunch..

Look who's back... back again...

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

FinStar — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:01:52 GMT

@Ghoshida wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Did you know there is an option to trade 500 MR for 400 Plenti points?

No wonder Chase and Citi are eating their lunch..
Look who's back... back again...

Looks' like he's out from myFICO purgatory

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:03:39 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@Ghoshida wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Did you know there is an option to trade 500 MR for 400 Plenti points?

No wonder Chase and Citi are eating their lunch..
Look who's back... back again...
Looks' like he's out from myFICO purgatory

There's a lot of cool people there. Really.

But let's keep this on topic or i'll have to bribe the bouncer.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

leoment — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:05:44 GMT

I have to believe that Plenti card is just a revolver to get in with Amex. The rewards on it are an absolute joke.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:08:28 GMT

@leoment wrote:
I have to believe that Plenti card is just a revolver to get in with Amex. The rewards on it are an absolute joke.

The APR range on it is indicative of this but the U/W on it remains to truly be seen. You're right though...it's a real piece of.........cheap plastic.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:11:37 GMT

APR is a joke the rewards are a joke... It has to be their new intro card... We need a way bigger sampe size to actually tell if this is true, but I still don't know what Amex was smoking coming out with this card.. Way to limited on useage. Glad for the people that might like it, but I don't see that being a huge population unless they have big plans for the plenti network in the future.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:13:51 GMT

@CreditCuriousity wrote:
APR is a joke the rewards are a joke... It has to be their new intro card... We need a way bigger sampe size to actually tell if this is true, but I still don't know what Amex was smoking coming out with this card.. Way to limited on useage. Glad for the people that might like it, but I don't see that being a huge population unless they have big plans for the plenti network in the future.

And maybe it just needs a chance to grow. I'm sure people didn't think much of MR when it was first introduced either.

But at it's current rate of return, it's going to be a hard sell for anyone who knows enough about rewards to actually use them.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:18:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditCuriousity wrote:
APR is a joke the rewards are a joke... It has to be their new intro card... We need a way bigger sampe size to actually tell if this is true, but I still don't know what Amex was smoking coming out with this card.. Way to limited on useage. Glad for the people that might like it, but I don't see that being a huge population unless they have big plans for the plenti network in the future.
And maybe it just needs a chance to grow. I'm sure people didn't think much of MR when it was first introduced either.

But at it's current rate of return, it's going to be a hard sell for anyone who knows enough about rewards to actually use them.

It just doesn't seem well thought out is all.. If they add say 5000 more places then maybe... Why not just use a straight 1% cashback card through or 1mr card though thatt you can use ANYWHERE oh wait that is the ED or better if you shop at grocery/gas sigh.. I still think I am missing something with this card or program, just can't put my finger on it lol... Its a pretty card vs. my hidious ED card?

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:20:47 GMT

Plenti looks like it's passable at Rite Aid but yeah, Macy's got nerfed pretty bad with this conversion. Some of the promotional bonus plenti points MIGHT make it ok but if you don't have all of the stores and don't use all of the services it's pretty bad. I signed up because I just HAD TO KNOW if it was as bad as it sounded and I suppose if you have Rite Aid locations, Macy's locations, Exxon/Mobil stations, partner grocery stores and use AT&T and Nationwide and are interested in signing up for Hulu as a new customer, yeah, you can get some pretty good points. But for the rest of the US (because Rite Aid is NOT a national store and their partner grocery stores are not everywhere), it's so limited it certainly isn't worth the Plenti AMEX.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

leoment — Wed, 06 May 2015 03:31:26 GMT

@CreditCuriousity wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditCuriousity wrote:
APR is a joke the rewards are a joke... It has to be their new intro card... We need a way bigger sampe size to actually tell if this is true, but I still don't know what Amex was smoking coming out with this card.. Way to limited on useage. Glad for the people that might like it, but I don't see that being a huge population unless they have big plans for the plenti network in the future.
And maybe it just needs a chance to grow. I'm sure people didn't think much of MR when it was first introduced either.

But at it's current rate of return, it's going to be a hard sell for anyone who knows enough about rewards to actually use them.
It just doesn't seem well thought out is all.. If they add say 5000 more places then maybe... Why not just use a straight 1% cashback card through or 1mr card though thatt you can use ANYWHERE oh wait that is the ED or better if you shop at grocery/gas sigh.. I still think I am missing something with this card or program, just can't put my finger on it lol... Its a pretty card vs. my hidious ED card?

I agree. It seems like Amex looked over the sub-par rewards of the TY Preferred card from Citi and decided, "I'll raise you one!"

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 04:08:13 GMT

With relatively cool cards like the BCP and PRG, I find it hard to believe that AMEX would put out such a dog like Plenti (based on my very little knowledge of it).

I'm guessing there's gotta be some cool stuff awaiting in the wings...

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 04:13:56 GMT

based on where the Plenti points are structured, this card seems to be aimed at fresh-out-of-high school people. it's their intro to an intro card lol.
wouldn't the green charge card and everyday card be their normal intros?

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

MJ-san — Wed, 06 May 2015 05:15:31 GMT

Just to clarify ... I'm specifically talking about the new rewards program that Macy's has transitioned ALL of their store cards - and co-brand Amex store cards - into.

They devalued what they had by a very large amount.

The Amex Plenti card is a whole different kettle of ....... fish. Definitely unimpressed with that.

It's also kind of weirdly ironic that the Macy's Amex card ... issued by Citibank... earns less in actual rewards than if one were to use a Citi DoubleCash card at Macys.

It's stupid.

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2015 05:22:21 GMT

yeah and the amazon card issued by chase is worse than the chase freedom used at amazon if you shop through chase lol

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

wmweeza — Wed, 06 May 2015 20:41:44 GMT

Wait, is the regular Macy's AMEX being replaced by this? I was planning on applying in October, but not if this is really happening. Am I misunderstanding?

Re: Macys card now really sucks Plenti

kdm31091 — Wed, 06 May 2015 21:17:44 GMT

The whole Plenti thing is terrible. I work at one of the partners for Plenti and our store has rolled our own stupid Plenti rewards card.

First of all people are so confused and annoyed by it because it replaced a previously better program (same as with Macy's). I was looking through the "coupon book" we are giving out and literally one of the coupons is spend $100 at Macy's get 200 Plenti points ($2). So your $100 purchase becomes $98. Wow, how exciting.

The Amex credit card is similarly awful. Why would you want a restricted card earning 1 Plenti point per dollar, and Plenti points can be used less than a dozen places? Why not just get a 1% card? If even a 1% cash back card outperforms you, you know you're in bad shape!