topic Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition in Credit Cards

AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:48:56 GMT

What classifies as a supermarket with the BCE?

I'm thinking about applying but from what I've read they don't seem to award full credit for stores like Wal-Mart and Target, which is where I do the bulk of my grocery shopping. I also shop at stores like Central Market but not as frequently as WM and Target.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:03:08 GMT

@frogfan12 wrote:
What classifies as a supermarket with the BCE?

I'm thinking about applying but from what I've read they don't seem to award full credit for stores like Wal-Mart and Target, which is where I do the bulk of my grocery shopping. I also shop at stores like Central Market but not as frequently as WM and Target.

It's not AMEX that decides who/what is a "grocery store." It's the actual business or store that deides that. I don't know what Central Market is, but you are right that Target and WM are not grocery stores.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:03:16 GMT

It all depends on how the merchant identifies themself to AmEx. They have merchant category codes.

You are correct, WalMart and Target will not get you the grocery rewards. If you have a Target Red Card you can do better than BCE for the groceries (5%) though I'm not sure if their groceries are overpriced to begin with.

I have a BCP and almost had a heart attack when the Commissary at my Air Force base showed up on the AmEx website transactions as general merchandise, since that is where I do most of my grocery shopping. But when I looked at my monthly statement it does indeed show up as groceries and I got the 6% cashback I was expecting.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:06:41 GMT

Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:11:23 GMT

Does the Walmart card earn you anything cash back when used at Walmart?

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:12:49 GMT

@frogfan12 wrote:
Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

The thing I like about the Target card is that they take the 5% off right at the register. You can get approved for the card at the store too, and I think they approve just about anyone with a pulse. With your score I'd expect a $2,500 limit. The downside - don't hold your breath for a CLI.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:17:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Does the Walmart card earn you anything cash back when used at Walmart?

The regular WalMart card doesn't. The Walmart Discover has "up to 1%" on all purchases everywhere - it is tiered below $3k/yr. They both have 5 cents a gallon off for fuel at WalMart pumps. The main thing the WalMart card has going for it is the monthly FICO they give you.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:20:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Does the Walmart card earn you anything cash back when used at Walmart?
The regular WalMart card doesn't. The Walmart Discover has "up to 1%" on all purchases everywhere - it is tiered below $3k/yr. They both have 5 cents a gallon off for fuel at WalMart pumps. The main thing the WalMart card has going for it is the monthly FICO they give you.

Thanks, I didn't know there were 2 different Walmart cards. I've always wondered what the benefits were other than the monthly TU.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

pizzadude — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:22:09 GMT

@frogfan12 wrote:
Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

Yeah that's the thing about the 6% ~ you may not be able to get the full discount but if you shop around enough at grocery stores it could be worth it....

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:23:00 GMT

Target's 5% off sounds nice but I could only use the card at Target. That's what made the BCE appealing. Even if I just used the card for gas, it'd still give some sort of benefit. The WM card is looking better with the gas discount and free monthly TU score. Do you get the TU score immediately upon receipt of the card? Or does the first statement have to cut for you to select the online statements?

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:27:29 GMT

While looking over some of my past transactions on Mint, it looks like when you purchase something at a store it goes by whatever the store categorizes itself as (like previously mentioned). I may still apply for the BCE because I buy my prescriptions at Tom Thumb and I could be getting cash back for that. What a nice little caveat.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:23:03 GMT

@frogfan12 wrote:
Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

I think WM and Target are department stores. If so, doesn't BCE get 2% back?

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

nada9188 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:27:55 GMT

Walmart and target are discount/wholesale stores. We are lucky to be getting 1% back on these purchases, Discover only give 0.25%

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:28:40 GMT

I don't think those two would qualify as department stores. When I hear department store, I think Macy's, Dillard's, JCP...aka stores I never shop at.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:29:42 GMT

@nada9188 wrote:
Walmart and target are discount/wholesale stores. We are lucky to be getting 1% back on these purchases, Discover only give 0.25%

I understand about the discount thing but in reality most WM and Target stores have a huge grocery section, even if they do sell iPods/iPads/laptops. :/

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:31:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@frogfan12 wrote:
Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

I think WM and Target are department stores. If so, doesn't BCE get 2% back?

On my AmEx statement Walmart says "Discount Store", so, no. Target, I can't say because I use my red card there. Maybe someone else can say but I suspect it'll be the same.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

bichonmom — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:45:55 GMT

@frogfan12 wrote:
Sad day. I may just skip the BCE for now because I prefer to shop at WM/Target because of convenience and low price. I may just get the WM card. I've heard mixed reviews about the Target card.

I'm very happy with WM. GE has been really good with CLIs, and you might get approved for the Discover.

I had to wait until I got my first stmt to set up the online acct, then got FICO right away.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:45:57 GMT

I think you're right.

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

bichonmom — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:46:56 GMT

Does anyone know if Trader Joes is a grocery store for Amex BCE or BCP?

Re: AMEX BCE Supermarket Definition

frogfan12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:55:46 GMT

It should be. Do you use Mint? I looked on Mint to track some of my past expenses and discovered what "categories" different stores fell under.