topic Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions in Credit Cards

Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

UncleB — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 22:54:29 GMT

It looks like Synchrony is doing away with the paper checks. Since I had one get lost in the mail a few years back I have to say this is definitely an improvement.

Direct link from message: https://mycashbackinfo.com/faq/en/

Highlights:

Q. Will I receive a check for my Sam’s Club Mastercard Cash Back Rewards?

A. No, for your convenience, your Cash Back Rewards will be automatically loaded onto your Sam’s Club membership.

Q. What do I need to bring to Sam’s Club when I redeem my Sam’s Club Mastercard Cash Back Rewards?

A. All you will need is your Sam’s Club Mastercard.

Q. How can I redeem my Sam’s Club Mastercard Cash Back Rewards?

A. They can be redeemed at any U.S. or Puerto Rico Sam’s Club location. You may redeem them in the following ways:

AT A STAFFED REGISTER OR MEMBER SERVICE DESK

Apply towards your purchases
Make a payment on your Sam’s Club Mastercard
Apply towards your Sam’s Club membership renewal or upgrade
Get Cash Back

NEW THIS YEAR!

Apply towards your purchase at any register including self-checkout
Use your rewards over time on multiple purchases in-club until your rewards expire or are fully redeemed

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

Remedios — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 23:05:48 GMT

Lordy, they are mailing notifications in blue envelopes. The sky will fall

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

patoot10 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 23:09:10 GMT

Do we know if they are sticking to the $5 minimum that they had for the checks or now that they are doing it electronically no need to enforce a minimum?

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

UncleB — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 23:33:01 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
Lordy, they are mailing notifications in blue envelopes. The sky will fall

LOL... yeah, they actually started that a year or two ago.

I posted about it at the time, and you're right, that's a good way to give people "who know about things" a heart attack.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

pizza1 — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 00:41:10 GMT

Yea, got this email as well a few hours ago, and you beat me to it on posting!

Definitely an improvement for sure! Thank you for posting

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

Sharingan — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 01:08:13 GMT

I received the email too. To me, this is hardly an improvement. Why can’t redemption options be integrated into the card management site, like almost every other credit card with a rewards program? It’s 2019! I mean I know the answer (going into Sam’s Club encourages shopping, thus the funds are more likely to stay with Sam’s), but it’s still an inconvenience compared to my other cards.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

UncleB — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 01:32:11 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
I received the email too. To me, this is hardly an improvement. Why can’t redemption options be integrated into the card management site, like almost every other credit card with a rewards program? It’s 2019! I mean I know the answer (going into Sam’s Club encourages shopping, thus the funds are more likely to stay with Sam’s), but it’s still an inconvenience compared to my other cards.

Yeah, I see your point, but like you say you already know the answer.

For me the improvement is not having to be concerned with dealing with a check that never gets delivered. It's amazing that my bill never fails to show up, but of course the check would have to go missing. The replacement process wasn't that bad (other than the wait), but at least this way it's no longer a concern.

I was pleased to see that cashing-out is still an option. It's not as important as it once was (back when my checks were $150+) but I still like getting cash over the alternatives.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 03:00:19 GMT

This was the first email I got from Sams. The second email was about a $10 statement credit if I spend a minimum of $30 at Sams (and use their card) before January 31, 2019.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:59:59 GMT

I haven’t received the email yet...I really hope it applies to all cardholders. Would be even better if it can be used online. My nearest Sams closed last year...still have one in town, but never go to it.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

patoot10 — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 14:00:14 GMT

The new instructions specifically say that you can't use it online. You have to go to the store.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

CJ7 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 06:44:38 GMT

I like how the last option is "Get cash back". They list 3 ways to leave your money with them first.

Unrelated, but why is it they'll give me 5% back on gas purchased basically anywhere, but can't

cough up better than 1% for Sams Club purchases?

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

CJ7 — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:18:47 GMT

Just got the blue envelope stating that my cash back was loaded to the card.

So I go into Sams Club, the CSR says nothing is loaded to the card.

A call to Synchrony reveals that they're inundated with calls for this problem.

So much for the "new streamlined" cash back. Major fail! If they're still mailing out

envelopes why can't they just include a check like they always did?

CSR said to wait a week or two and hopefully it will work...

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

UncleB — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 02:24:58 GMT

@CJ7 wrote:
Just got the blue envelope stating that my cash back was loaded to the card.
So I go into Sams Club, the CSR says nothing is loaded to the card.
A call to Synchrony reveals that they're inundated with calls for this problem.
So much for the "new streamlined" cash back. Major fail! If they're still mailing out
envelopes why can't they just include a check like they always did?

CSR said to wait a week or two and hopefully it will work...

Thanks for the heads-up... hopefully they'll get the issues resolved quickly.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

JamP — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 02:21:41 GMT

Went to Sams today and they say nothing is on the card...

Glad I didn't try to use it for a whooping 1% in store and burn my cash rewards..

Oh well hopefully I get back to Sam's someday.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

UncleB — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 02:47:46 GMT

@JamP wrote:
Went to Sams today and they say nothing is on the card...
Glad I didn't try to use it for a whooping 1% in store and burn my cash rewards..

Oh well hopefully I get back to Sam's someday.

This isn't encouraging... hopefully they get things worked out soon.

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 03:55:13 GMT

kinda a big epic failure.. You think the pressure is on whomever whether it is Sams or most likely Sync that messed this one up. Bet you have quite a few upset customers. Side note I get my costco certificate this week as statement cuts tomorrow. Can either buy a ton of hot dogs or a few tanks of gas lol

Re: Changes to Sam's Club MasterCard Rewards Redemptions

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:55:46 GMT

Same happened to me. Seems that they mailed them early.

I got the letter, went to sams, no money. Called synchrony, they said (iirc) 7 or 10 days after your February statement cuts. He did the math and told me it would be available Wednesday last week...

i plan to go tomorrow and pick it up. Slight annoyance but it's only a few minutes away and I needed to buy beer and burgers for a BBQ anyway.