topic Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something? in Credit Cards

AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:59:18 GMT

I always see people posting about the BCE from amex. Is there something I'm missing? TO ME, it doesn't seem that great of a card. Its revolving, WHICH IS GOOD, but as far as the cash back, its only in a form of a statement credit (from what I read on amex's site). If I could get a check sent to me, that would be nice, but it doesn't seem like its worth it if its just going to be a credit to my credti card.

Am I missing the value in this card? Why does it seem to be so popular?

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

calihlove75 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:01:43 GMT

To me a statement credit is like cash in my pocket since I have to pay the credit card bill off anyway!

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

webhopper — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:06:23 GMT

@zeusta20 wrote:
I always see people posting about the BCE from amex. Is there something I'm missing? TO ME, it doesn't seem that great of a card. Its revolving, WHICH IS GOOD, but as far as the cash back, its only in a form of a statement credit (from what I read on amex's site). If I could get a check sent to me, that would be nice, but it doesn't seem like its worth it if its just going to be a credit to my credti card.

Am I missing the value in this card? Why does it seem to be so popular?

I personally don't think the card is that great, and I get more value from my PRG... but that's just me. No Rotating Catagories, and cash equivalent rewards are perks, but for cash back I prefer discover, Navy Federal and even my Amazon card, since I can opt to have the cash deposited into my checking account, or I can redeem for gift cards or other merchandise. To me, a reward doesnt' really feel like a reward unless I use in on "rewarding" things like travel or gifts for me

A statement credit is so blah in my opinion, although I have opted for statement credits in the past on my other cards. Its nice to have a choice.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:06:37 GMT

@calihlove75 wrote:
To me a statement credit is like cash in my pocket since I have to pay the credit card bill off anyway!

hmmm...thats true. What about if you PIF every month? How does that work? Would you just have a neg balance on the credit card?

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

Anonymous — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:07:09 GMT

What's wrong with a statement credit? You should be paying off your card in full using whatever check you would've received anyway. I guess the lack of a variety of uses for the points is a legitimate criticism, but not the lack of a check.

And people like it (and the BCP) because of the good rewards. The 6% back on groceries on the BCP is unmatched as far as I know and there's a trick you can do by buying gift cards at supermarkets to be used elsewhere which qualify for the 6% or 3%.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

LS2982 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:07:22 GMT

@calihlove75 wrote:
To me a statement credit is like cash in my pocket since I have to pay the credit card bill off anyway!

I agree with this, thats why I like statement credits.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:10:07 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
@zeusta20 wrote:
I always see people posting about the BCE from amex. Is there something I'm missing? TO ME, it doesn't seem that great of a card. Its revolving, WHICH IS GOOD, but as far as the cash back, its only in a form of a statement credit (from what I read on amex's site). If I could get a check sent to me, that would be nice, but it doesn't seem like its worth it if its just going to be a credit to my credti card.

Am I missing the value in this card? Why does it seem to be so popular?
I personally don't think the card is that great, and I get more value from my PRG... but that's just me. No Rotating Catagories, and cash equivalent rewards are perks, but for cash back I prefer discover, Navy Federal and even my Amazon card, since I can opt to have the cash deposited into my checking account, or I can redeem for gift cards or other merchandise. To me, a reward doesnt' really feel like a reward unless I use in on "rewarding" things like travel or gifts for me
A statement credit is so blah in my opinion, although I have opted for statement credits in the past on my other cards. Its nice to have a choice.

Exactly...and I was actually thinking about upgrading my Amex Green to the PRG. BUT, I already have the CSP that i'm paying 95.00 a year for. I was thinking about upgrading to the Gold, but to me, the rewards aren't really all that different. The only difference is early event access...So for me to pay $270 on credit cards for the CSP AND PRG annually just to HAVE, seems a little hefty to me. Maybe not...idk. Maybe i'm just being cheap? lol.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:11:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What's wrong with a statement credit? You should be paying off your card in full using whatever check you would've received anyway. I guess the lack of a variety of uses for the points is a legitimate criticism, but not the lack of a check.

And people like it (and the BCP) because of the good rewards. The 6% back on groceries on the BCP is unmatched as far as I know and there's a trick you can do by buying gift cards at supermarkets to be used elsewhere which qualify for the 6% or 3%.

Oooo...didn't think about that either....

Thats why I love this site! lol. I get different ideas and tips and tricks on how to use these...lol. Thanks for the info...good to know!

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:14:22 GMT

BUT...to my other point. What if the card is PIF. Where does the credit go to? Is it just going to the credit card making it a neg balance?

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

youngandcreditwrthy — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:19:01 GMT

the credit would reduce your cc bill..

lol duh.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:22:17 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
the credit would reduce your cc bill..
lol duh.

Duh?? really? No need to be rude or sarcastic.....What i'm referring to, is if the balance is at 0...IF I PAY THE BALANCE OFF BEFORE THE STATEMENT CUT OFF, THEN WHERE WOULD THAT CREDIT GO TO?

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

webhopper — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:22:53 GMT

@zeusta20 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
@zeusta20 wrote:
I always see people posting about the BCE from amex. Is there something I'm missing? TO ME, it doesn't seem that great of a card. Its revolving, WHICH IS GOOD, but as far as the cash back, its only in a form of a statement credit (from what I read on amex's site). If I could get a check sent to me, that would be nice, but it doesn't seem like its worth it if its just going to be a credit to my credti card.

Am I missing the value in this card? Why does it seem to be so popular?
I personally don't think the card is that great, and I get more value from my PRG... but that's just me. No Rotating Catagories, and cash equivalent rewards are perks, but for cash back I prefer discover, Navy Federal and even my Amazon card, since I can opt to have the cash deposited into my checking account, or I can redeem for gift cards or other merchandise. To me, a reward doesnt' really feel like a reward unless I use in on "rewarding" things like travel or gifts for me
A statement credit is so blah in my opinion, although I have opted for statement credits in the past on my other cards. Its nice to have a choice.
Exactly...and I was actually thinking about upgrading my Amex Green to the PRG. BUT, I already have the CSP that i'm paying 95.00 a year for. I was thinking about upgrading to the Gold, but to me, the rewards aren't really all that different. The only difference is early event access...So for me to pay $270 on credit cards for the CSP AND PRG annually just to HAVE, seems a little hefty to me. Maybe not...idk. Maybe i'm just being cheap? lol.

There is a lot of overlap between PRG and CSP... I prefer PRG over CSP for my needs because of the gas and grocery catagories. These are big spend catagories for my family Also, PRG is backdated.

Also there is a benefit to the PRG, which is $75 dining credit at certain hotels as long as you stay 2 or more nights and book the hotel using Amex Travel. PRG gives 4X points on travel when booked through Amex travel

For me, PRG was a better fit.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

webhopper — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:24:01 GMT

@zeusta20 wrote:
@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
the credit would reduce your cc bill..
lol duh.

Duh?? really? No need to be rude or sarcastic.....What i'm referring to, is if the balance is at 0...IF I PAY THE BALANCE OFF BEFORE THE STATEMENT CUT OFF, THEN WHERE WOULD THAT CREDIT GO TO?

The account would have a negative balance if you had paid in full before requesting a statement credit.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

Swapmeet — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:24:39 GMT

Never mind the rewards. The card is clear...so....you know? I am just joking around, but I do love the way it looks. I also appreciate the fact that the grocery store that is right by me sells a whole bunch of different types of gift cards...lol. I never thought of this way to get your 3 or 6% cash back on just about anything because you buy the gift card from a grocery store. Is this ethical? Don't you think that once Amex notices all these gift cards being bought they may take AA. Or do they just see a total from a grocery store and not even know what was bought?

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

calihlove75 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:26:12 GMT

@zeusta20 wrote:
@calihlove75 wrote:
To me a statement credit is like cash in my pocket since I have to pay the credit card bill off anyway!
hmmm...thats true. What about if you PIF every month? How does that work? Would you just have a neg balance on the credit card?

I have not had this be an issue since I can control when I redeem . I also like the discounts I get. I had an offer for $5.00 statement credit for spending $20 at AMC theaters. 25% off a place I am already going...okay!

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:25:21 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
@zeusta20 wrote:
@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
the credit would reduce your cc bill..
lol duh.

Duh?? really? No need to be rude or sarcastic.....What i'm referring to, is if the balance is at 0...IF I PAY THE BALANCE OFF BEFORE THE STATEMENT CUT OFF, THEN WHERE WOULD THAT CREDIT GO TO?
The account would have a negative balance if you had paid in full before requesting a statement credit.

Okay...THANK YOU! Thats exactly what I was wondering.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:27:07 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
@zeusta20 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
@zeusta20 wrote:
I always see people posting about the BCE from amex. Is there something I'm missing? TO ME, it doesn't seem that great of a card. Its revolving, WHICH IS GOOD, but as far as the cash back, its only in a form of a statement credit (from what I read on amex's site). If I could get a check sent to me, that would be nice, but it doesn't seem like its worth it if its just going to be a credit to my credti card.

Am I missing the value in this card? Why does it seem to be so popular?
I personally don't think the card is that great, and I get more value from my PRG... but that's just me. No Rotating Catagories, and cash equivalent rewards are perks, but for cash back I prefer discover, Navy Federal and even my Amazon card, since I can opt to have the cash deposited into my checking account, or I can redeem for gift cards or other merchandise. To me, a reward doesnt' really feel like a reward unless I use in on "rewarding" things like travel or gifts for me
A statement credit is so blah in my opinion, although I have opted for statement credits in the past on my other cards. Its nice to have a choice.
Exactly...and I was actually thinking about upgrading my Amex Green to the PRG. BUT, I already have the CSP that i'm paying 95.00 a year for. I was thinking about upgrading to the Gold, but to me, the rewards aren't really all that different. The only difference is early event access...So for me to pay $270 on credit cards for the CSP AND PRG annually just to HAVE, seems a little hefty to me. Maybe not...idk. Maybe i'm just being cheap? lol.
There is a lot of overlap between PRG and CSP... I prefer PRG over CSP for my needs because of the gas and grocery catagories. These are big spend catagories for my family Also, PRG is backdated.

Also there is a benefit to the PRG, which is $75 dining credit at certain hotels as long as you stay 2 or more nights and book the hotel using Amex Travel. PRG gives 4X points on travel when booked through Amex travel

For me, PRG was a better fit.

Does the PRG have an annual bonus to it???

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

Swapmeet — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:31:27 GMT

@zeusta20 wrote:
@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
the credit would reduce your cc bill..
lol duh.

Duh?? really? No need to be rude or sarcastic.....What i'm referring to, is if the balance is at 0...IF I PAY THE BALANCE OFF BEFORE THE STATEMENT CUT OFF, THEN WHERE WOULD THAT CREDIT GO TO?

The statement credit is not automatic. You can just build up more and more statement cash, and then use some or all of it whenever you feel like it.

Edit: Wow, @calihlove75 is on top of the game! either that, or I am slow...lol.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

zeusta20 — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:33:55 GMT

@Swapmeet wrote:
Never mind the rewards. The card is clear...so....you know? I am just joking around, but I do love the way it looks. I also appreciate the fact that the grocery store that is right by me sells a whole bunch of different types of gift cards...lol. I never thought of this way to get your 3 or 6% cash back on just about anything because you buy the gift card from a grocery store. Is this ethical? Don't you think that once Amex notices all these gift cards being bought they may take AA. Or do they just see a total from a grocery store and not even know what was bought?

I didn't find the "clearness" of the card all that amusing unfortunately...lol. I have the CSP, and I love the fact that its heavier and metal...lol. ALTHOUGH, I do wish that it was a lot heavier.haha.

Re: AMEX BCE...am I missing something?

webhopper — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:43:20 GMT

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