topic Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer in Credit Cards

Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

CribDuchess — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 01:00:54 GMT

I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:05:48 GMT

Wow, that's super disapointing to hear. I was planning on getting the BCE next year after a mortgage specificly for the grocery and gass. 1 percent means I'm better off just using almost any of my other cards.

Thanks a lot for the inforamtion. I'm not sure how many Pacific NW folks are on the forum, but, I run a good 1k thru Fred Meyer per month so I'm greatful for the info.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

CreditCuriosity — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:42:52 GMT

ya i would be slightly annoyed as it is clearly a grocery store lol

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:02:08 GMT

Do the MR cards get breakdowns like that?

All I see is a Points Summary at the bottom that tells me how many points each card accumulated, but doesn't say whether they come from "Grocery Stores," "Gas Stations," etc.

EDIT: Nevermind, found it.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

oracles — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:47:40 GMT

@CribDuchess wrote:
I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

I don't have the card but your base reward is 1% but there maybe a page with your incentive rewards and that will have the extra 2% on it.

check for a page with your incentive rewards and not the base rewards

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:48:52 GMT

Not familiar with Fred Meyer, but not every grocery store will code as a super markets. The card does not give 3% (or 6% for the BCP) in grocery stores. It only does so for super markets. Even the Sallie Mae card does not code all grocery stores as super markets. When shopping at smaller grocery stores, I don't always get 5% on my Sallie Mae, nor did I get 6% on my BCP when I had it. I sometimes shop in smaller asian stores for variety in my food and they almost never give me the 5% on my Sallie Mae.

TLDR: Grocery stores are not 3% on BCE. Only super markets will give you 3%. Not sure about Fred Meyer, but if it codes as grocery store, you probably are stuck with the 1%.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

bz386 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:39:41 GMT

Here is the scoop from the horse's mouth:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/rewards-info/retail.html

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:54:14 GMT

@bz386 wrote:
Here is the scoop from the horse's mouth:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/rewards-info/retail.html

Well, not really, as the supermarket list is just examples, and says it is not complete. (Drug stores is a complete list by contrast).

From the other horses mouth, you can get a feel of the random variation here:

https://community.americanexpress.com/message/28081#28081

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

CribDuchess — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:32:33 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Not familiar with Fred Meyer, but not every grocery store will code as a super markets. The card does not give 3% (or 6% for the BCP) in grocery stores. It only does so for super markets. Even the Sallie Mae card does not code all grocery stores as super markets. When shopping at smaller grocery stores, I don't always get 5% on my Sallie Mae, nor did I get 6% on my BCP when I had it. I sometimes shop in smaller asian stores for variety in my food and they almost never give me the 5% on my Sallie Mae.

TLDR: Grocery stores are not 3% on BCE. Only super markets will give you 3%. Not sure about Fred Meyer, but if it codes as grocery store, you probably are stuck with the 1%.

Grocery store, supermarket, what's the difference? I think they are splitting hairs. And, actually, I just checked my DH's statements for his BCE card that he opened in April, and he received 3% cash back on purchases categorized as "grocery store." My Fred Meyer purchase showed up as "grocery stores" rather than "grocery store".....so that "s" at the end is somehow the deal breaker? Doesn't make sense. But yes, I am aware that store coding can definitely have an impact on rewards. As always, YMMV.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:33:40 GMT

Yeah... Kroger and Publix both get me 2x on my ED and register as "Merchandise & Supplies > Groceries"

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

CribDuchess — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:34:06 GMT

@oracles wrote:
@CribDuchess wrote:
I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

I don't have the card but your base reward is 1% but there maybe a page with your incentive rewards and that will have the extra 2% on it.

check for a page with your incentive rewards and not the base rewards

No such luck, but thank you for the suggestion.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

CribDuchess — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:39:58 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Wow, that's super disapointing to hear. I was planning on getting the BCE next year after a mortgage specificly for the grocery and gass. 1 percent means I'm better off just using almost any of my other cards.

Thanks a lot for the inforamtion. I'm not sure how many Pacific NW folks are on the forum, but, I run a good 1k thru Fred Meyer per month so I'm greatful for the info.

Glad to help. I've started shopping more and more at Fred Meyer because I really like their gas rewards, as well as the quarterly reward bonus. Much better than Safeway's rewards program.

If you spend that much at Fred Meyer, you might want to apply for the Fred Meyer Rewards Visa.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

UncleB — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:24:09 GMT

@CribDuchess wrote:
I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

I agree it's not a huge loss, but it's still money you're entitled to. Fred Meyer is clearly a grocery store, even by Amex standards, and I believe this is just an honest system glitch. Like others have said, I have never had an issue getting my 6% (BCP) back at Kroger or Publix.

Since your example is very clear (you don't have pages of charges to sort through) I would send them a quick secure message through the website. It would only take you a second, and you wouldn't even be bothered with a phone call. Who knows, you might actually be fixing the problem for others as well...

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:22:11 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@CribDuchess wrote:
I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

I agree it's not a huge loss, but it's still money you're entitled to. Fred Meyer is clearly a grocery store, even by Amex standards, and I believe this is just an honest system glitch. Like others have said, I have never had an issue getting my 6% (BCP) back at Kroger or Publix.

Since your example is very clear (you don't have pages of charges to sort through) I would send them a quick secure message through the website. It would only take you a second, and you wouldn't even be bothered with a phone call. Who knows, you might actually be fixing the problem for others as well...

They might, but in the thread I posted earlier, which is read by Amex reps, the earliest post was April 2014, so not much movement there. As with all cards, there are disclaimers that the merchant identifies itself in certain ways and that is outside Amex's control. So Amex might translate it on the statement to grocery, but it appears slightly differently internally.

About a year ago, certain WholeFoods weren't getting rewards (and they are on the list!) and Amex credited you if you complained, but didn't fix it for others. So worth a try, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:27:48 GMT

@CribDuchess wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Not familiar with Fred Meyer, but not every grocery store will code as a super markets. The card does not give 3% (or 6% for the BCP) in grocery stores. It only does so for super markets. Even the Sallie Mae card does not code all grocery stores as super markets. When shopping at smaller grocery stores, I don't always get 5% on my Sallie Mae, nor did I get 6% on my BCP when I had it. I sometimes shop in smaller asian stores for variety in my food and they almost never give me the 5% on my Sallie Mae.

TLDR: Grocery stores are not 3% on BCE. Only super markets will give you 3%. Not sure about Fred Meyer, but if it codes as grocery store, you probably are stuck with the 1%.
Grocery store, supermarket, what's the difference? I think they are splitting hairs. And, actually, I just checked my DH's statements for his BCE card that he opened in April, and he received 3% cash back on purchases categorized as "grocery store." My Fred Meyer purchase showed up as "grocery stores" rather than "grocery store".....so that "s" at the end is somehow the deal breaker? Doesn't make sense. But yes, I am aware that store coding can definitely have an impact on rewards. As always, YMMV.

Safeway reports as both Grocery Store and Supermarket so, even though it isn't showing the word Supermarket it is is reporting as such.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

icyhot — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:57:39 GMT

Does Amex have a card that has categories for drug stores AND department stores? If so I would love to apply and move my Delta and Hilton limits to it when eligible

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

UncleB — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:05:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CribDuchess wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Not familiar with Fred Meyer, but not every grocery store will code as a super markets. The card does not give 3% (or 6% for the BCP) in grocery stores. It only does so for super markets. Even the Sallie Mae card does not code all grocery stores as super markets. When shopping at smaller grocery stores, I don't always get 5% on my Sallie Mae, nor did I get 6% on my BCP when I had it. I sometimes shop in smaller asian stores for variety in my food and they almost never give me the 5% on my Sallie Mae.

TLDR: Grocery stores are not 3% on BCE. Only super markets will give you 3%. Not sure about Fred Meyer, but if it codes as grocery store, you probably are stuck with the 1%.
Grocery store, supermarket, what's the difference? I think they are splitting hairs. And, actually, I just checked my DH's statements for his BCE card that he opened in April, and he received 3% cash back on purchases categorized as "grocery store." My Fred Meyer purchase showed up as "grocery stores" rather than "grocery store".....so that "s" at the end is somehow the deal breaker? Doesn't make sense. But yes, I am aware that store coding can definitely have an impact on rewards. As always, YMMV.

Safeway reports as both Grocery Store and Supermarket so, even though it isn't showing the word Supermarket it is is reporting as such.

How does a business report as 'both'?

My understanding of MCCs is that a merchant's category is 'drilled down' to a single code. I'm aware that some stores might use different MCCs depending on which register is used (ex. Kroger gas island registers use 'gas' MCC, inside registers use 'grocery' MCC) but I was unaware a single transaction could simultaneously be two MCCs.

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

petarap — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:20:45 GMT

Even though your statement shows 'GROCERY STORES', when you go to your online account and go to that particular transaction and click on it (basically show details) it will have the category as

Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Wholesale Stores

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

UncleB — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 00:28:01 GMT

@petarap wrote:
Even though your statement shows 'GROCERY STORES', when you go to your online account and go to that particular transaction and click on it (basically show details) it will have the category as

Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Wholesale Stores

Ah, I see what you mean there.

In your example, "Grocery Stores" is used as a descriptor, but the actual MCC is 'M&S - Wholesale', which is what drives the rewards rate. At a glance it seems deceptive, but like you point out, it's legit.

I've been fortunate that so far the grocery stores I've used have been coded as 'Grocery'. These credit card companies definitely keep us on our toes!

Re: Amex BCE and Fred Meyer

NRB525 — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 00:53:32 GMT

@CribDuchess wrote:
I was looking over my BCE statements and noticed that my grocery purchase at Fred Meyer only qualified for 1% cash back rather than 3%. Anyone else experience this with their BCE and Fred Meyer? The Amex statement categorizes the Fred Meyer purchase as "Grocery Stores." I'm a little bit annoyed that the purchase didn't earn the 3%, but I realize it's only a couple of bucks, so probably not worth calling Amex about it. I don't use my BCE much, as I prefer my Penfed and Sallie Mae for grocery purchases.

I got the AMEX Hilton no AF card because it promises to give 5 points for Groceries, Gas and Dining Out. 3 points everywhere else (more at Hilton stays obviously).

At Fred Meyer groceries, no, it gives the standard 3 points.

At Fred Meyer gasoline, no, it gives the standard 3 points.

At my work cafeteria, no, it is coded as "Business Other" and gives 3 points. :/

I also have a BofA AMEX and a Delta AMEX, and I tried all three of these AMEXes at grocery stores, gas stations, and at my work cafeteria, to see how the coding is called out. Compared that against Freedom VISA, Discover, and my Citi Diamond Preferred MC when it was on a 5% groceries, gas, dining binge.

All the AMEXes coded the same, and no extra points on the Hilton for Fred Meyer.

All the VISA, Discover, and MC have no issues calling Fred Meyer groceries and Fred Meyer gas as gas.

Since Fred Meyer in my area has the consistently lowest prices (and loyalty rewards) for groceries, and even the gas is cheapest, I can't justify using the AMEX elsewhere to get points, because the prices are lower at FM. So I just note it as a learning experience, a reason to curb my enthusiasm for the EDP and PRG I'm also not going for the US Bank Travel Rewards AMEX version, even though that looks Ok, for all the same reasons. Basically I've determined that ANY AMEX will not give me more than 1 point (or 3 points in the case of Hilton) in my major spend store, Fred Meyer.

And to the comment suggesting getting the Fred Meyer VISA from US Bank? It's not a special card. When they tell you you get 2% at Fred Meyer, that is 1% you'd get anyway using a Fred Meyer Rewards key fob, with any payment method including cash, and 1% on the card added to your Fred Meyer Rewards account. So it's basically a 1% Everywhere card that routes that through your FM Rewards account, and it doesn't get the 1% on FM Gas. I'm going to be using my US Bank Cash+ with 2% groceries, and I'll also get the 1% on the FM Rewards program.