topic Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise? in Credit Cards

Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

MoneyBurns — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:59:31 GMT

Hi all!!

I was thinking about closing my Sallie Mae World Mastercard as what it's Commence to is an insult. Plus the card it's changing to is probably one of the UGLIEST cards I've seen.

I do a lot of online shopping through ebates and was wondering if upromise would be a better option to PC? I don't have a upromose account as I already finished grad school.

Does barclays allow PCs? Also is upromise only available to students and the rewards toward college? Because it seems 5% through upromise and another 5% through the card is a lot. Even better than ebates for some retailers.

Can someone who has used this card have insight?

Thanks!!!!

Sabre

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 19:36:59 GMT

@MoneyBurns wrote:
Hi all!!

I was thinking about closing my Sallie Mae World Mastercard as what it's Commence to is an insult. Plus the card it's changing to is probably one of the UGLIEST cards I've seen.

I do a lot of online shopping through ebates and was wondering if upromise would be a better option to PC? I don't have a upromose account as I already finished grad school.

Does barclays allow PCs? Also is upromise only available to students and the rewards toward college? Because it seems 5% through upromise and another 5% through the card is a lot. Even better than ebates for some retailers.

Can someone who has used this card have insight?

Thanks!!!!

Sabre

Not sure... You can certainly try.. Normaly they don't PC co-branded cards, but they are both Sallie Mae's just different products. The Upromise is certainly better than the pathethic commence they are coverting it to. Let us know if you try

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

MoneyBurns — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:12:46 GMT

I just called Barclay's and they said no - they don't do product changes from one card to another. I tried to speak to the Sallie Mae World Mastercard department as well since its also the upromise is a Sallie Mae product, but that was a no-go either.

Any suggestions? I really don't want this card and will have absolutely no use for it. 2% is easily covered by Double Cash as I PIF in each month anyway. Any ideas what to do with the dead Sallie Mae's credit line? I don't want it to go to waste. I have a Cashforward, but I only got that card for the sign up bonus $200, and now none of the Barclay line up (from what I see unless others have ideas) seem too enticing.

Thought I'd share some information.

Sabre

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:31:58 GMT

Thanks for the feedback.. Either role the CL's into the CashFoward you have which is another meh card or possibly open up an arrival+ card collect $500 sign-up bonus and role limits into that card. Two options.

Unfortunate that the commence card is such a terrible card. I would of guessed when it was nerfed maybe 2% or 3% percent on those categories not the rewards card rebadged... From the best card I had to now the worse card I will have.. I have a 11% apr which sucks for me cancelling it so I am torn what to do, but suppose I will cancel it and move some of the limit to my cashforward that I barely use and shed the rest of the limit to free up some credit as I have more than what I need or do the arrival+ since 0 AF for first year and collect bonus and move SM limit to that then kill it at a year for taking my beloved SM away from me

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

barthooper — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:36:29 GMT

@MoneyBurns wrote:
I just called Barclay's and they said no - they don't do product changes from one card to another. I tried to speak to the Sallie Mae World Mastercard department as well since its also the upromise is a Sallie Mae product, but that was a no-go either.

Any suggestions? I really don't want this card and will have absolutely no use for it. 2% is easily covered by Double Cash as I PIF in each month anyway. Any ideas what to do with the dead Sallie Mae's credit line? I don't want it to go to waste. I have a Cashforward, but I only got that card for the sign up bonus $200, and now none of the Barclay line up (from what I see unless others have ideas) seem too enticing.

Thought I'd share some information.

Sabre

You're in the same position as I am, as well as many others with this card. Also, just after getting the Double Cash in October, I closed my Barclay Rewards (My only other Barclaycard) and rolled the limit into Sallie Mae, so a decent chunk (1/6th) of my available credit will just be dormant and useless. I plan on getting the BCP for grocery and gas spend and I'm hopeful especially after the 61 day CLI I can surpass the 10,200. Torn whether to close SM when it converts or not, and just keep it open with buying gum every year to spite Barclays.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

kdm31091 — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:48:44 GMT

Unfortunately the new Commence was is pretty worthless for anyone considering there are flat 2% cards available.

You could move the limit to the Cashforward, but even the Cashforward isn't worth using much when you have a Double Cash. I understand wanting to keep a credit line, but if no Barclay's product suits you, then they don't suit you. Their lineup is pretty medicore at this point. Beyond sign on bonuses, most of their cards are very easily beaten by others for actual spending.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

gdale6 — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:48:46 GMT

If it is of no use to you and it isnt to many then just close it. I have 2 SMs one is torched 2/28/17 the other I will keep for BT use.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:54:58 GMT

@gdale6 wrote:
If it is of no use to you and it isnt to many then just close it. I have 2 SMs one is torched 2/28/17 the other I will keep for BT use.

for some reason they have never offered me BT's on this card other than the standard APR, but other barclay cards I can't get them to stop giving me BT offers and checks in the mail lol.. If they did for the SM that would be converted into the commence card I would consider keeping it, but nope for whatever reason I don't get BT offers on this one Barclay's card

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

Blodreina — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:17:59 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
Unfortunately the new Commence was is pretty worthless for anyone considering there are flat 2% cards available.

You could move the limit to the Cashforward, but even the Cashforward isn't worth using much when you have a Double Cash. I understand wanting to keep a credit line, but if no Barclay's product suits you, then they don't suit you. Their lineup is pretty medicore at this point. Beyond sign on bonuses, most of their cards are very easily beaten by others for actual spending.

Yep. I don't understand the hesitation in closing it; I have yet to hear a great reason for keeping it.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

gdale6 — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:28:27 GMT

@CreditCuriousity wrote:
@gdale6 wrote:
If it is of no use to you and it isnt to many then just close it. I have 2 SMs one is torched 2/28/17 the other I will keep for BT use.
for some reason they have never offered me BT's on this card other than the standard APR, but other barclay cards I can't get them to stop giving me BT offers and checks in the mail lol.. If they did for the SM that would be converted into the commence card I would consider keeping it, but nope for whatever reason I don't get BT offers on this one Barclay's card

Might be because you have other cards I only have the 2 SMs with them and I get BT offers on both of them every month.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:33:26 GMT

@gdale6 wrote:
@CreditCuriousity wrote:
@gdale6 wrote:
If it is of no use to you and it isnt to many then just close it. I have 2 SMs one is torched 2/28/17 the other I will keep for BT use.
for some reason they have never offered me BT's on this card other than the standard APR, but other barclay cards I can't get them to stop giving me BT offers and checks in the mail lol.. If they did for the SM that would be converted into the commence card I would consider keeping it, but nope for whatever reason I don't get BT offers on this one Barclay's card
Might be because you have other cards I only have the 2 SMs with them and I get BT offers on both of them every month.

Hmm very well could be.. Good thought.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

MoneyBurns — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:53:48 GMT

I guess the BTs would be good to keep around Sallie. I've gotten 2% fees before from before. Chsse always sends me similar offers as well. They never made a cent off me, so maybe a BT in the summer. However the thought of just looking at the Commence card, even having it in my sock drawer is cringing.

The Arrival+ looks tempting. Is Arrival+ only redeemed for travel expenses? My spending habits may not be useful for the card. But a $500 bonus is nice!! Take that Barclay's for chopping my beloved!

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:58:49 GMT

500 for travel related reimbursement or 250 cash w/arrival+. GC's might be 500, someone else would know more about arrival+ than myself.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:59:20 GMT

@MoneyBurns wrote:
I guess the BTs would be good to keep around Sallie. I've gotten 2% fees before from before. Chsse always sends me similar offers as well. They never made a cent off me, so maybe a BT in the summer. However the thought of just looking at the Commence card, even having it in my sock drawer is cringing.

The Arrival+ looks tempting. Is Arrival+ only redeemed for travel expenses? My spending habits may not be useful for the card. But a $500 bonus is nice!! Take that Barclay's for chopping my beloved!

Arrival+ has an AF after the first year. The AF is not worth paying for the vast majority of people (with free 2% cards, you need to spend a great deal to get the advantage). SO moving the CL there is a short term solution

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

wasCB14 — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 23:26:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@MoneyBurns wrote:
I guess the BTs would be good to keep around Sallie. I've gotten 2% fees before from before. Chsse always sends me similar offers as well. They never made a cent off me, so maybe a BT in the summer. However the thought of just looking at the Commence card, even having it in my sock drawer is cringing.

The Arrival+ looks tempting. Is Arrival+ only redeemed for travel expenses? My spending habits may not be useful for the card. But a $500 bonus is nice!! Take that Barclay's for chopping my beloved!
Arrival+ has an AF after the first year. The AF is not worth paying for the vast majority of people (with free 2% cards, you need to spend a great deal to get the advantage). SO moving the CL there is a short term solution

Given the rate at which they change and nerf their cards, everything is a short term solution.

The same could arguably be said of many issuers and cards...but it seems especially true for Barclaycard.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

kdm31091 — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 23:29:46 GMT

@CreditCuriousity wrote:
500 for travel related reimbursement or 250 cash w/arrival+. GC's might be 500, someone else would know more about arrival+ than myself.

Arrival+'s bonus is only $500 for travel expenses. Gift cards, cash, merchandise, etc are all around the $250 value.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 23:45:52 GMT

I opened Upromise last year(You don't have to be a student) I opened it mainly for the 5+% CB on some of the local restaurants. But the bonus CB don't easily post, its a hit or miss, which is frustrating. only 1% CB immediately posts. I called CS few times, they would quote 30/60 days for bonus CB to show up.

I feel the Upromise program is not worth it if you are not dilligent enough to track your CB.

Barclays doesn't do PC, so I am letting this card go inactive.

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

MoneyBurns — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:05:33 GMT

Nothing good from Barclay for me..... so I suppose this is the chopping block our our relationship.

"It's not you, it's me.... our needs and wants within our relationship has changed. I can't have this relationship any more Sallie. You were good to me but you changed. I hope you find the true customers you've been looking for."

That would be my breakup speech for this card. It's been good Barclay! I hope to do business with them in the future!

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll take care and use of my other cards now!!

Re: Can I convert Sallie Mae to upromise?

kdm31091 — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:13:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I opened Upromise last year(You don't have to be a student) I opened it mainly for the 5+% CB on some of the local restaurants. But the bonus CB don't easily post, its a hit or miss, which is frustrating. only 1% CB immediately posts. I called CS few times, they would quote 30/60 days for bonus CB to show up.

I feel the Upromise program is not worth it if you are not dilligent enough to track your CB.

Barclays doesn't do PC, so I am letting this card go inactive.

Yes, I had the Upromise card in 2015, but I got tired of fighting for the rebates and they did take forever to post. The card is great in theory, but in reality, pretty frustrating most of the time.

I still use the Upromise portal itself occasionally, and am still waiting on dining payouts from October....you'd think for paltry amounts like $1.30 they would just push the reward through so as not to upset customers, but apparently they aren't concerned.