topic Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure in Credit Cards

AMEX Zync Reward Structure

LS2982 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:12:49 GMT

Can someone explain this in detail to me so I know how to properly use it?

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

bichonmom — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:32:58 GMT

It's kind of confusing to me, too.

From what I understand, you get 1 point for every $, or 1%. Some things give double points, or 2%, when you get a "Pack." I added the Eco pack (which is free), since it gives double pts at Trader Joes and Chipotle Grill. Some people have said it gives double pts @ Costco, but others said it doesn't, so YMMV. I believe it also gives double pts @ Walmart, oddly enough.

I also got the Connect pack, which is $15, since it gives double pts on cell, satellite TV, and internet. I'm not going to get it again next year, because I miscalculated before I got it. Afterwards, I realized that I'm only going to make about $10 after a year's worth of those bills on Zync. But then, I'm comparing against the 1% I get anyway w/Navy visa.

I haven't yet figured out anywhere else to use it. They do have other packs, like Lowe's, which costs $15, but you get that back in a gift card. So, any rewards are a plus.

Their "rewards" aren't that great. If you redeem for cash/amex gift card, you get 50c on the dollar. The best redemption is for products or some gift cards, like to B&N or a restaurant. Those are dollar for dollar, from what I've seen.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:37:00 GMT

From what I gather you earn 1 point per dollar unless you have a pack which is 2 points per dollar. If redeeming for an Amex gift card these points are cut in half in terms of value. So if you have the restaurant pack, for example, You would need to spend 2500 to break even. 2500 * 2 = 5000 = $25 gift card.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

afbar1114 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:04:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
From what I gather you earn 1 point per dollar unless you have a pack which is 2 points per dollar. If redeeming for an Amex gift card these points are cut in half in terms of value. So if you have the restaurant pack, for example, You would need to spend 2500 to break even. 2500 * 2 = 5000 = $25 gift card.

the amex GC's make no sense to redeem it for...GC's for stores make sense...but how the rewards go is kinda confusing. you wont see any points for the first 2 statements..after that bonus points will post after each charge posts...you will get points in the following statement for purchases made prior to the statement..

1st month earn 2nd month get etc....

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:31:28 GMT

@afbar1114 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
From what I gather you earn 1 point per dollar unless you have a pack which is 2 points per dollar. If redeeming for an Amex gift card these points are cut in half in terms of value. So if you have the restaurant pack, for example, You would need to spend 2500 to break even. 2500 * 2 = 5000 = $25 gift card.
the amex GC's make no sense to redeem it for...GC's for stores make sense...but how the rewards go is kinda confusing. you wont see any points for the first 2 statements..after that bonus points will post after each charge posts...you will get points in the following statement for purchases made prior to the statement..
1st month earn 2nd month get etc....

always disliked this about amex, the lagging points. My other cards are immediate, but i suppose being a charge card structure there is incentive to hold back the points.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:40:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@afbar1114 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
From what I gather you earn 1 point per dollar unless you have a pack which is 2 points per dollar. If redeeming for an Amex gift card these points are cut in half in terms of value. So if you have the restaurant pack, for example, You would need to spend 2500 to break even. 2500 * 2 = 5000 = $25 gift card.
the amex GC's make no sense to redeem it for...GC's for stores make sense...but how the rewards go is kinda confusing. you wont see any points for the first 2 statements..after that bonus points will post after each charge posts...you will get points in the following statement for purchases made prior to the statement..
1st month earn 2nd month get etc....
always disliked this about amex, the lagging points. My other cards are immediate, but i suppose being a charge card structure there is incentive to hold back the points.

While it is 1st month spend, 2nd pend, 3rd clear, I have had success in sending a SM to them requesting the pending points. Had them within the next hour.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

LS2982 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:24:49 GMT

Wow the rewards are lacking on this card....guess I should just tough it out for a year and make good usage and payment history for the BCE!

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:36:25 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
Wow the rewards are lacking on this card....guess I should just tough it out for a year and make good usage and payment history for the BCE!

6 mo is usually sufficient.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

steve23111 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:39:59 GMT

@bichonmom wrote:
I also got the Connect pack, which is $15, since it gives double pts on cell, satellite TV, and internet. I'm not going to get it again next year, because I miscalculated before I got it. Afterwards, I realized that I'm only going to make about $10 after a year's worth of those bills on Zync. But then, I'm comparing against the 1% I get anyway w/Navy visa.

You can log in to the Zync Center and cancel the pack for a refund. It's a full refund within 60 days, pro-rated after that. The refund happens automatically within a few days of canceling the pack. Might as well cancel it for a refund if it's not going to do you any good.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

bichonmom — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:16:19 GMT

@steve23111 wrote:
@bichonmom wrote:
I also got the Connect pack, which is $15, since it gives double pts on cell, satellite TV, and internet. I'm not going to get it again next year, because I miscalculated before I got it. Afterwards, I realized that I'm only going to make about $10 after a year's worth of those bills on Zync. But then, I'm comparing against the 1% I get anyway w/Navy visa.

You can log in to the Zync Center and cancel the pack for a refund. It's a full refund within 60 days, pro-rated after that. The refund happens automatically within a few days of canceling the pack. Might as well cancel it for a refund if it's not going to do you any good.

Yeah, I know. But I don't want to rock the boat with them. I just want to stay under their radar.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

trumpet-205 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:44:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
Wow the rewards are lacking on this card....guess I should just tough it out for a year and make good usage and payment history for the BCE!
6 mo is usually sufficient.

Not for me.

ZYNC's reward aren't that great to be honest. I'm seriously thinking about closing the card (originally want to keep it open, but the more I think about it the more I want to close it to avoid AF).

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:34:36 GMT

@trumpet-205 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
Wow the rewards are lacking on this card....guess I should just tough it out for a year and make good usage and payment history for the BCE!
6 mo is usually sufficient.
Not for me.

ZYNC's reward aren't that great to be honest. I'm seriously thinking about closing the card (originally want to keep it open, but the more I think about it the more I want to close it to avoid AF).

Ive read several post about people getting Zync after a struggle, but when they meet their goal and actually get the card they see its not all its cracked up to be. Kinda like 'I only want what I cant have' mentality. Its one of the reasons I always suggest researching before apping. I did the same with Deltas gold card for the 30K mi bonus but after the bonus I saw that I needed to spend 25K for a free flight.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

trumpet-205 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:27:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@trumpet-205 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
Wow the rewards are lacking on this card....guess I should just tough it out for a year and make good usage and payment history for the BCE!
6 mo is usually sufficient.
Not for me.

ZYNC's reward aren't that great to be honest. I'm seriously thinking about closing the card (originally want to keep it open, but the more I think about it the more I want to close it to avoid AF).
Ive read several post about people getting Zync after a struggle, but when they meet their goal and actually get the card they see its not all its cracked up to be. Kinda like 'I only want what I cant have' mentality. Its one of the reasons I always suggest researching before apping. I did the same with Deltas gold card for the 30K mi bonus but after the bonus I saw that I needed to spend 25K for a free flight.

I opened ZYNC card for the purpose of getting BCE, not promotional rewards. Since AMEX denied me three times, and ZYNC is currently SD, I don't want to keep it open anymore. Will give AMEX a call to close the card. Unless they offer to waive the AF.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Open123 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:41:17 GMT

If you're looking for "cash" type rewards, the MR programs (from Zync to Black) aren't going to be the best.

I would add the Home pack. It costs $15, but you receive a $20 gift card. For me, the restaurant pack is nice. I get $50 just from dining at Morton's alone, which I do every year. You add the packs on the things you will spend anyway to receive the extra points.

NEVER, and I mean, never redeem your points for Amex gift cards, statement credits, or amazon payments etc....the conversion ratio is a rip off. Instead, the best options are to either redeem for retail gift cards (10k points = $100), or hoard the points and apply for a Green and up in the future to have them converted to full MR points for travel.

If used properly, the Zync card will give you an extra 10,000 points per year on your spending over the other charge cards. The exception being airfare where the PR Gold has 3X spending.

PS - I've often said, the MR programs are unspectacular unless you can hit spend thresholds, receive bonuses, and plan to use them to trasnfer to airlines. For straight cash redemption, the MR program has got to be one of the worst. For example, if you don't hit spend thresholds or have sign up bonuses, you'd have to spend $2500 just to make your fee back in a retail store gift card.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

LS2982 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:40:38 GMT

@Open So is PR Gold a good travel rewards card?

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Open123 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:42:16 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
@Anonymous So is PR Gold a good travel rewards card?

It is one of the best assuming you use it to pay for airline tickets and will spend $30k per year. Under those conditions, I'd say it's the best.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

LS2982 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:51:29 GMT

@Open I would use it for airline tickets but I dont think i'd be at 30K spend, more like 15K.

Re: AMEX Zync Reward Structure

Cdnewmanpac — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:38:47 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
If you're looking for "cash" type rewards, the MR programs (from Zync to Black) aren't going to be the best.

I would add the Home pack. It costs $15, but you receive a $20 gift card. For me, the restaurant pack is nice. I get $50 just from dining at Morton's alone, which I do every year. You add the packs on the things you will spend anyway to receive the extra points.

NEVER, and I mean, never redeem your points for Amex gift cards, statement credits, or amazon payments etc....the conversion ratio is a rip off. Instead, the best options are to either redeem for retail gift cards (10k points = $100), or hoard the points and apply for a Green and up in the future to have them converted to full MR points for travel.

If used properly, the Zync card will give you an extra 10,000 points per year on your spending over the other charge cards. The exception being airfare where the PR Gold has 3X spending.

PS - I've often said, the MR programs are unspectacular unless you can hit spend thresholds, receive bonuses, and plan to use them to trasnfer to airlines. For straight cash redemption, the MR program has got to be one of the worst. For example, if you don't hit spend thresholds or have sign up bonuses, you'd have to spend $2500 just to make your fee back in a retail store gift card.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that finds the rewards for Zync reasonable. I have the restaurant and eco packs. I use the card for restaurants and groceries (both our local grocers are on the eco list) only. Oh, and for REI purchases. Given that I spend >$1500/month between restaurants and groceries and just about all of it will get double points, that should more than cover the AF/pack price. I plan to use points for merchant GCs, since we routinely purchase items from several of the offered vendors.

Would I use this as a travel card? Of course not. Any travel or big or non-food purchases go through the SW RR card, which I find earns me flights faster. But for a food card, it works quite well. Maybe the Forward would be better, but the potential future benefit of backdating and the ability to have a balance post and not hose my util are worth it for me.