topic Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP in Credit Cards

Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 20:28:46 GMT

I was checking what Plan options I got offered for another thread and noticed that AMEX told me how much I earned on each transaction.

All of my App Store transactions coded as Streaming Services and my Prime Now grocery delivery didn't code as grocery, contrary to what I was told.

Basically all of my entertainment budget goes into the App Store so as long as these purchases keep coding this way, this card actually will easily go past the breakeven point for me which could tempt me to keep it but it's definitely a bummer that Prime grocery delivery won't be covered. Now that it's free, it's a service I can see myself using during the winter like if tomorrow was today and my personal care canceled because of the 6-12" of snow we are slated to get. I am glad that I looked because now I know to use my Amazon Store Card so I get 5% on those.

And yes, that Prime Now order was nothing but groceries. It was actually a Prime Fresh order.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

calyx — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 20:37:47 GMT

I was happy to see that GooglePlay also codes as 6% regardless of what I throw on there.

Between groceries (mine does code at 6%, but it's a regular supermarket), and the streaming, I'm really happy with this card (my audible habit is also helping).

Oh, and my wine runs are all at grocery stores, so it's also my go-to wine card (unless it's something I can only get at TotalWine). 6% off on my Aldi Wine Advent calendars? Thanks BCP! lol

Sorry to hear about Amazon Grocery/Fresh not coding that way, for you, though.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 20:49:50 GMT

Yeah I do the majority of my shopping at King Soopers and those DO code as grocery. The Amazon Fresh order was just because we had a snow storm so my personal care canceled and it just so happened that was right after Amazon sent me the email telling me Fresh was no longer $15 a month so I went for it. It's not something I would do very often and thinking about it, it's better to use my Amazon Store Card anyway because that is 5% no matter what while the BCP is 4.4% if you cap the $6K and goes down from there.

The App Store thing is a bit of a game changer for me though. I spend at least $50 a month on the App Store. Often it's significantly more (there's about $400 on this BCP statement and I have another $56 on my Apple Card right now) since the App Store is basically my entire entertainment budget which would make this card totally worth keeping versus my 3% Apple Card and Marvel options.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:00:30 GMT

@calyx wrote:
I was happy to see that GooglePlay also codes as 6% regardless of what I throw on there.

Between groceries (mine does code at 6%, but it's a regular supermarket), and the streaming, I'm really happy with this card (my audible habit is also helping).

Oh, and my wine runs are all at grocery stores, so it's also my go-to wine card (unless it's something I can only get at TotalWine). 6% off on my Aldi Wine Advent calendars? Thanks BCP! lol

Sorry to hear about Amazon Grocery/Fresh not coding that way, for you, though.

That is part of why I didn't get the BCP. My AR is now my go to for the liquor runs though. Really cashing in on the limited release season..

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 01:56:23 GMT

BCP is no go for Walmart superstore too.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Wrigley2172 — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 02:29:49 GMT

Im actually lucky Birdman in that my local walmart is a "neighborhood" variation rather than the full store so it deals only in food and basic needs "soap and paper towels an such" and it does code as 6% on my BCP. I might just be getting lucky though

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 02:50:05 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
Im actually lucky Birdman in that my local walmart is a "neighborhood" variation rather than the full store so it deals only in food and basic needs "soap and paper towels an such" and it does code as 6% on my BCP. I might just be getting lucky though

Probably not luck! It's pretty common that neighborhood ones DO code as grocery and superstores don't. (However, there have been reports of variation even at the department level if you have places where you can pay. But a good general rule)

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:46:09 GMT

Really?? neighborhood codes as grocery for BCE?

Cuz superstore does on Visa/MC.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

shoegal — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 06:33:38 GMT

That's really weird that it didn't work for you, Saeren! Mine always does just like the one below.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 06:49:01 GMT

@shoegal wrote:
That's really weird that it didn't work for you, Saeren! Mine always does just like the one below.

Maybe its a recent change? I'm not that worried enough to ask them to investigate such a small loss of rewards to be honest.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 06:51:03 GMT

I just placed my first order with Amazon Fresh and used my BCP for it. It shows up as pending still. Will wait and see if I get the 6%. I saw that thread you started @Saeren asking if Amazon Fresh codes as grocery and I saw that a few ppl responded to say yes. I guess like most things it’s YMMV. I did get a $10 off code applied to my order which helps a bit as that is more than the 6% cash back I would get from BCP but it’s the principle. Had I known it wouldn’t potentially code as grocery, I would have used a different card.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 09:11:33 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I just placed my first order with Amazon Fresh and used my BCP for it. It shows up as pending still. Will wait and see if I get the 6%. I saw that thread you started @Saeren asking if Amazon Fresh codes as grocery and I saw that a few ppl responded to say yes. I guess like most things it’s YMMV. I did get a $10 off code applied to my order which helps a bit as that is more than the 6% cash back I would get from BCP but it’s the principle. Had I known it wouldn’t potentially code as grocery, I would have used a different card.

Yeah same here. That's why I made the post asking the question lol.

Let me know if it ends up coding. I will probably just switch to using my Amazon Store Card for those orders. Unlike the BCP where 6% becomes a maximum of 4.4% after the AF and can actually end up being less than 3% if I don't find enough use for it, the Amazon Store Card is always 5% cash back.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:52:33 GMT

I still think it sucks there’s no way to look up the merchant codes for Amex.

And apparently the visa supplier codes aren’t always correct either because I’ve had them code differently.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

delaney1 — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:37:54 GMT

So showing how much each transaction earned is a new thing right? Or am I mistaken? My issues with BCP were the fact that, in the past, you’d have to calculate your earnings yourself. With rewards coming a month later I decided the hassle wasn’t worth it to me. If we can now see earnings as they post or when statement is generated I might app for it!

@Anonymous wrote:
I was checking what Plan options I got offered for another thread and noticed that AMEX told me how much I earned on each transaction.

All of my App Store transactions coded as Streaming Services and my Prime Now grocery delivery didn't code as grocery, contrary to what I was told.

Basically all of my entertainment budget goes into the App Store so as long as these purchases keep coding this way, this card actually will easily go past the breakeven point for me which could tempt me to keep it but it's definitely a bummer that Prime grocery delivery won't be covered. Now that it's free, it's a service I can see myself using during the winter like if tomorrow was today and my personal care canceled because of the 6-12" of snow we are slated to get. I am glad that I looked because now I know to use my Amazon Store Card so I get 5% on those.

And yes, that Prime Now order was nothing but groceries. It was actually a Prime Fresh order.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:41:52 GMT

I don't use the website but you can tap a transaction in the app and it will tell you the category and rewards earned.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:46:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Really?? neighborhood codes as grocery for BCE?

Cuz superstore does on Visa/MC.

Yes, Visa/MC have a wider definition of groceries, and (those with a supermarket bonus) will work at Walmart Superstores and frequently Targets as well, whereas Amex (usually) won't.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 14:52:18 GMT

Interesting. I didn't realize App Store purchases coded at 6%. Guess I'll move the cloud/music/app billing to mine for the 5 phones and two iPads...

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 15:29:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Interesting. I didn't realize App Store purchases coded at 6%. Guess I'll move the cloud/music/app billing to mine for the 5 phones and two iPads...

Yeah that's a nifty little discovery. I guess it's easier to just code all transactions as streaming than individual ones since iTunes sells video content of all kinds and all kinds of prices as does Google Play.

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

HeavenOhio — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:01:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I still think it sucks there’s no way to look up the merchant codes for Amex.

And apparently the visa supplier codes aren’t always correct either because I’ve had them code differently.

With AMEX, coding isn't enough. I've seen 1% on groceries and 1% on fuel purchases when the merchant doesn't qualify for the higher rewards under "US Supermarkets" and "US Gas Stations."

Right now, there must be a bug affecting my BCE because everything is labeled "other purchases." But the percentages are right, e.g. a supermarket purchase shows as "3% on other purchases."

Re: Some interesting discoveries about BCP

bergrides — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 18:20:51 GMT

You used to be able to see Reward Dollars information on the web site. There was a preview new version button, but that is no longer available on the web site, only the app shows the Reward Dollars. Has anyone found it somewhere else on the website recently?