topic Re: Amazon sign-up offer in Credit Cards

Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:56:58 GMT

I just went to amazon to buy some books, and I noticed that they now offer me a $50 cashback bonus if I apply for their Visa card. I didn't try my luck, so I can't tell about what the conditions might be. It says the offer is by invitation only, so I'm not sure how common that is.

I can now understand how people ruin their scores during the holiday shopping season. It's hard to pass up on all these dangling carrots that help you save some dollars.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:09:52 GMT

Dangling carrot, uh huh, but I love my Amazon Visa. I earned 150 bucks back in the first month or so. That thing is a cash cow for the first 90 days, and after that it's not too bad (provided you spend some serious money at Amazon like I do).

I think I had a 30 dollar sign-up bonus, with a points boost as well. (Whew, 50 bucks would have been nice!)

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:46:27 GMT

I took the bait last Christmas season. It sounds like the offer was the same. I got $50 off a $62 purchase and free shipping to boot, yay! That was before I started obsessing about my scores. I'm still glad I did it as prior to that my highest limit was $2500. The Chase Amazon doubled for $5k. The rewards aren't really great since I don't shop at Amazon much so it is mostly used for small purchases to keep it active.

I noticed WM has 0% on purchases for 15 months for a limited time for new cardholders or something to that effect. Fortunately that is not so tempting as I don't have any big purchases to make.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

MidnightVoice — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:08:08 GMT

I have never noticed being offered one

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:29:01 GMT

So they do this all the time? I never noticed it, because I shop at amazon all over the year, but for some odd reason never before Christmas .

MidnightVoice wrote:
I have never noticed being offered one

Hmm, it showed on top of the list of things in my cart. On the front page, it just mentions the usual $30.

I still haven't decided whether I should apply. Probably not, as I just got those Discover and Costco Amex cards in October.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:35:55 GMT

Just an update to this: I actually caved in because I bought something expensive on amazon and applied for the card on Dec 30. Well, I got a 30 day notice . That looks like a wasted application.

I'm not sure whether I should call and ask. Unfortunately, I didn't print out any details of that web application, so I don't really know whether there was any phone number listed to call. Would you call or just wait?

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:56:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Just an update to this: I actually caved in because I bought something expensive on amazon and applied for the card on Dec 30. Well, I got a 30 day notice . That looks like a wasted application.

I'm not sure whether I should call and ask. Unfortunately, I didn't print out any details of that web application, so I don't really know whether there was any phone number listed to call. Would you call or just wait?

Chase usually gives the 30 day message. It's up to you if you want to call. It may speed things up if you do.

The automated number to check status is 1-800-955-9900

The number to speak to someone in the lending dept about your application is 1-888-245-0625

Good luck!

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:05:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Chase usually gives the 30 day message. It's up to you if you want to call. It may speed things up if you do.

Thanks for the numbers! But if it's really normal for them to ponder their decision for 30 days, I might as well wait. I would have preferred an instant decision with a bill reduced by their promotional offer, but that opportunity is gone now, anyway. I don't mind waiting a bit until I will go on my next spending spree .

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:44:59 GMT

You're welcome. You can call the automated line without having to speak with anyone if you are curious. They do take sometime to update it, so it's not in real time always. You can just enter your information and follow the prompts.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:45:18 GMT

I called the automatic line, and the card seems to be approved with a whopping $400 CL . OK, I guess I need some tradelines with 0 balances .

Edit: On the other hand, the CL is probably high enough if I use the card strictly for amazon.

Message Edited by Ulan on 01-07-2009 10:45 PM

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:09:43 GMT

Does the Amazon card count as a store card?

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

score_building — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:33:56 GMT

Goal800 wrote:
Does the Amazon card count as a store card?

well, the amazon visa does not.

the amazon store card (GEMB) does.

any card like the amazon visa that has mc/visa/amex/discover co-branding doesn't get scored as a retail/store acct.

Message Edited by score_building on 07-19-2009 08:33 AM

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

miay2k4 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:17:57 GMT

Ulan-

Would u mind posting your scores and which reports amazon pulled from? I have been waitng & waiting to apply for the Amazon visa/mastercard for the longest. I want my CR's to be perfect for when I do.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:49:19 GMT

@miay2k4 wrote:
Ulan-

Would u mind posting your scores and which reports amazon pulled from? I have been waitng & waiting to apply for the Amazon visa/mastercard for the longest. I want my CR's to be perfect for when I do.

I think maybe Chase issues/services the amazon visa. I applied for a Kohl's card a couple of weeks back which is also issued/serviced by Chase and they denied the application - they pulled Experian. I've applied for other credit in the last few months and this was the only denial I've recieved. Even though my scores are OK - high sixes - I do have some older derogs (medical) which Chase didn't like I guess...

I see your scores are in the mid 5s to low 6s, so my opinion is the odds are probably against you.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:47:29 GMT

So even the TJX card since it is through Mastercard does not count as a store card. Do the store cards just work at the particular store or can they be used anywhere? I noticed TJX has a non-Mastercard but it seems like it is just for 5% off store purchases and does not really function like a credit card.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

haulingthescoreup — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:28:54 GMT

The non-Visa/ MC version only works at that particular store, or possibly others in the same chain (i.e., Old Navy/ Gap/ Banana Republic.)

The one with the Visa/ MC/ etc logo can be used anywhere. We call these "co-branded" cards: Amazon Visa, Sears MC, etc.

Re: Amazon sign-up offer

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:48:45 GMT

I have amazon since 2006 in march of this they starting a offering upgrades on older accounts

advice to those new to the card, you get 3x on more than just phyical merchandise. digital downloads Amazon Prime memership fee, even amazon gift certs

It's once again my priamary since it's the only card tha consitanty me gives 2 way to earn bonus points

I could get a card that gets 3% on dinning which counts for most my double points.

but supplement my amazon sppending and double points spending with everyting else quickest way to earn redemtions