topic Re: US Rep experience in Credit Cards

US Rep experience

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:08:17 GMT

Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.

Re: US Rep experience

UncleB — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:48:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.

Sorry you're having issues getting the RTR texts. It could be a new issue with the Google Voice number, or if could just be U.S. Bank being U.S. Bank. I guess either way one could say it's the latter causing the former, but I digress.

I'm not shocked at all at the rep's confusion over RTR... based on what I've read around the interwebs it's not unusual at all for many if not most of their reps to have minimal knowledge on that feature (if any at all). As long as the automation works you're golden, but otherwise hang on for the ride.

I've been lucky so far... I usually do one 'big' (to me) redemption a year, and so far it's always worked. I admit I hold my breath, though, since I know there would be virtually no support if it glitched for some reason.

Re: US Rep experience

digitek — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:57:44 GMT

I had a Google Voice number for a long time and the last few years it caused a bunch of different issues with things, mainly regarding banks and SMS verifications. Had issues with both US Bank and USAA not allowing any verification to be sent to VoIP numbers. I am pretty sure it is a security thing, but not 100% sure why. I eventually just got rid of it because trying to untangle that mess was not happening, their policy was strict that they will not send them to those kinds of numbers.

Sorry to hear about the RTR redemption, from what I gather if the text/respond doesn't work automatically there isn't much that can be done, so just have to pray that it happens correctly after the transaction.

Re: US Rep experience

Kforce — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:03:17 GMT

To overcome VoIP issues, I went this route.

I got a cheap $19.95 flip phone and a prepay $10 for 166 minute plan.

The minutes last for 4 months, before you need to drop another $10.

Unused minutes rollover. (10+tax) = < 11.00

11.00/4 = $2.75 a month will solve the issue.

I really like my $20 flip phone.

Re: US Rep experience

IntegerIntrovert — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:12:49 GMT

What company is that cell phone from/for???????

Re: US Rep experience

GZG — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:14:06 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
To overcome VoIP issues, I went this route.

I got a cheap $19.95 flip phone and a prepay $10 for 166 minute plan.
The minutes last for 4 months, before you need to drop another $10.
Unused minutes rollover. (10+tax) = < 11.00
11.00/4 = $2.75 a month will solve the issue.
I really like my $20 flip phone.

I wonder if you port over one of those numbers over to Google Voice if it wouldn't be considered a VOIP number anymore

Re: US Rep experience

Remedios — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:27:34 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
To overcome VoIP issues, I went this route.

I got a cheap $19.95 flip phone and a prepay $10 for 166 minute plan.
The minutes last for 4 months, before you need to drop another $10.
Unused minutes rollover. (10+tax) = < 11.00
11.00/4 = $2.75 a month will solve the issue.
I really like my $20 flip phone.

I bet you're typing with your brand new Leapfrog laptop, too! Because $9.99 (might be more now cuz inflation n'stuff )

Re: US Rep experience

Kforce — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:35:51 GMT

@IntegerIntrovert wrote:
What company is that cell phone from/for???????

Page Plus Cellular

https://www.pagepluscellular.com

Re: US Rep experience

Kforce — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:47:16 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
I bet you're typing with your brand new Leapfrog laptop, too! Because $9.99 (might be more now cuz inflation n'stuff )

Almost:

It is a 12 year old Intel Core2 Duo, booting from a "linux puppy CD" all running in 8 megs ram.

No hard drive, no storage, no possible virus, malware, keylogger's, etc.

Do have a nice "Leopold FC750R Mechanical Keyboard" and "Eizo Color Edge Monitor" attached.

Re: US Rep experience

Remedios — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:50:03 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
I bet you're typing with your brand new Leapfrog laptop, too! Because $9.99 (might be more now cuz inflation n'stuff )
Almost:
It is a 12 year old Intel Core2 Duo, booting from a "linux puppy CD" all running in 8 megs ram.
No hard drive, no storage, no possible virus, malware, keylogger's, etc.
Do have a nice "Leopold FC750R Mechanical Keyboard" and "Eizo Color Edge Monitor" attached.

It's as if you can see inside my office

Re: US Rep experience

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:53:15 GMT

@Kforce wrote:
To overcome VoIP issues, I went this route.

I got a cheap $19.95 flip phone and a prepay $10 for 166 minute plan.
The minutes last for 4 months, before you need to drop another $10.
Unused minutes rollover. (10+tax) = < 11.00
11.00/4 = $2.75 a month will solve the issue.
I really like my $20 flip phone.

Oh, I have another number via Tello (more expensive, around $8 a month but that includes 20 mins international minutes, if I ever needed that). I use an esim for my "real" number and the Tello sim in my phone, so no need for a special flip.

Re: US Rep experience

Kforce — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:58:31 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Kforce wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
I bet you're typing with your brand new Leapfrog laptop, too! Because $9.99 (might be more now cuz inflation n'stuff )
Almost:
It is a 12 year old Intel Core2 Duo, booting from a "linux puppy CD" all running in 8 megs ram.
No hard drive, no storage, no possible virus, malware, keylogger's, etc.
Do have a nice "Leopold FC750R Mechanical Keyboard" and "Eizo Color Edge Monitor" attached.

It's as if you can see inside my office

You look nice today

Re: US Rep experience

zerofire — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 01:25:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.

Is the purchase amount over $10 in qualified categories? They will not send a Real Time Rewards text for every transaction. Also it really is a redemption at $0.01 per point. Also while most providers will partner together to deliver SMS between themselves when a company is doing automated SMS the provider charges the company. This also means the automated SMS might have a smaller network as VoIP companies try to get a slice. In the end one vender might include Google Voice but a new vender that is cheaper might not include them after a switch. It depends on the rep and how you classify the phone line. Personally I just lie that it is a cell phone on my VoIP line and then see what happens. If that does not work then I say its a land line. What I never tell them is that I can route the phone call to Antarctica if I wanted.

Re: US Rep experience

UncleB — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 13:15:55 GMT

@zerofire wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.
Is the purchase amount over $10 in qualified categories? They will not send a Real Time Rewards text for every transaction. Also it really is a redemption at $0.01 per point. Also while most providers will partner together to deliver SMS between themselves when a company is doing automated SMS the provider charges the company. This also means the automated SMS might have a smaller network as VoIP companies try to get a slice. In the end one vender might include Google Voice but a new vender that is cheaper might not include them after a switch. It depends on the rep and how you classify the phone line. Personally I just lie that it is a cell phone on my VoIP line and then see what happens. If that does not work then I say its a land line. What I never tell them is that I can route the phone call to Antarctica if I wanted.

RTR redemptions for travel charges are at 1.5¢/point ($500 minimum for hotels, $250 minimum for car rentals) but customer service only seems to be able to do redemptions at 1¢/point.

It seems many customer service reps are unaware of this nuance.

Re: US Rep experience

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:30:29 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@zerofire wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.
Is the purchase amount over $10 in qualified categories? They will not send a Real Time Rewards text for every transaction. Also it really is a redemption at $0.01 per point. Also while most providers will partner together to deliver SMS between themselves when a company is doing automated SMS the provider charges the company. This also means the automated SMS might have a smaller network as VoIP companies try to get a slice. In the end one vender might include Google Voice but a new vender that is cheaper might not include them after a switch. It depends on the rep and how you classify the phone line. Personally I just lie that it is a cell phone on my VoIP line and then see what happens. If that does not work then I say its a land line. What I never tell them is that I can route the phone call to Antarctica if I wanted.
RTR redemptions for travel charges are at 1.5¢/point ($500 minimum for hotels, $250 minimum for car rentals) but customer service only seems to be able to do redemptions at 1¢/point.

It seems many customer service reps are unaware of this nuance.

Right. And to answer the other question, this was two charges in the airline category of about $170 each, which have worked in the past.

Re: US Rep experience

Remedios — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 15:45:51 GMT

@zerofire wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Amazingly, I had an interaction with a rep from US Bank which was underwhelming (yes, big news I know). I didn't receive a text for Real Time Rewards and wondered why. He asked what the number was and I told him. "Is that a cell phone?" I told him it was Google Voice. "A WHAT???" and told me it has to be a cell phone, even though the GV account in front of me shows lots of RTR texts. OK, maybe it's changed.

I asked if he could do the redemption for me. "Yes, I can do statement credit." For 1c per point, and that's all RTR is anyway he told me, showing unaware of the benefits.
Is the purchase amount over $10 in qualified categories? They will not send a Real Time Rewards text for every transaction. Also it really is a redemption at $0.01 per point. Also while most providers will partner together to deliver SMS between themselves when a company is doing automated SMS the provider charges the company. This also means the automated SMS might have a smaller network as VoIP companies try to get a slice. In the end one vender might include Google Voice but a new vender that is cheaper might not include them after a switch. It depends on the rep and how you classify the phone line. Personally I just lie that it is a cell phone on my VoIP line and then see what happens. If that does not work then I say its a land line. What I never tell them is that I can route the phone call to Antarctica if I wanted.

I don't understand your argument since you literally listed the reason why a lot of FI don't allow VoIP.

It's big part of KYC because of safety concerns associated with spoofing calls, spam, no fixed address, number not tied to address etc.

It just makes my head spin ...