Affinity NERF for existing users

GatorCowboyLion · ‎11-07-2023

And so comes another NERF for Affinity. This was up on my credit card rewards page. I was aware new customers had the lower limit, but I was hoping we'd be grandfathered in. It doen't change anything too substantially for us, but it's one more thing to keep in the back of my mind, in particular if any big purchases are made. Discover 5% Amazon could help this year for Christmas spend. And after all, this is still double the CCC/Discover/CFF limits.

Overall, I'm still very happy with this card. The previous level of rewards was unsustainable. We use it most every week for Amazon and it's there for other bookstore purchases too. And I'm not married to my Prime membership, ya gotta love that freedom.

One thing I've learned dealing with credit cards, if it seems too good to be true, it still might be true, but it won't last forever. That doesn't mean you can't ride the wave as long as possible, and the best case scenario is to wind up with a useful card after the inevitable nerf(s). I also think the Redstone card is also unsustainable. That's why it's not the first card I'll get out of the garden. I'm worried they'll nerf those 5% categories and leave the base. Don't get me wrong, it has a great SUB, more power to anyone who has it. But since I'm still collecting 5% cards to round out as much of my spend as possible it doesn't have enough draw considering it might only be useful for couple months or a year.

CreditCuriosity · ‎11-08-2023

Haven't used card since the last nerf as already have business Amex amazon. Sure card is good for some still, but now just collects dust for myself.

Anonymous · ‎11-08-2023

@GatorCowboyLion wrote:

One thing I've learned dealing with credit cards, if it seems too good to be true, it still might be true, but it won't last forever. That doesn't mean you can't ride the wave as long as possible, and the best case scenario is to wind up with a useful card after the inevitable nerf(s).

Right, and sometimes the wave can be long and profitable, with the prime example being AOD. Despite it being obvious that it was unsustainable and couldn't possibly last (and the other major alternatives have all nerfed) it's still going strong for existing user.

Anonymous · ‎11-08-2023

@GatorCowboyLion wrote:

That's strangely worded! From your comparison with Discover, I assume this means that you will earn 5% only on the first $1000 a month bookstore spend? To me, the wording seems to mean that you are limited to $1000 cashback a month, ie 5% on the first $20K a month, which wouldn't be an issue for most!

Beefy1212 · ‎11-08-2023

@Anonymous wrote:
@GatorCowboyLion wrote:
That's strangely worded! From your comparison with Discover, I assume this means that you will earn 5% only on the first $1000 a month bookstore spend? To me, the wording seems to mean that you are limited to $1000 cashback a month, ie 5% on the first $20K a month, which wouldn't be an issue for most!

Nah the 5% is capped at 1,000 a month is pretty clearly 1,000 spend. This is what happens when MSers cycle gift cards endlessly.

I am like CM I have been letting this card collect dust since they got rid of hi5.

juanxincai · ‎11-08-2023

Does anyone know how to close an afcu credit card? Do I have to call in and request account closure?

Did some search through the website and app, and cannot find anything about it.

ptatohed · ‎11-08-2023

Time to remove from my sig wish list?

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

AndySoCal · ‎11-09-2023

@GatorCowboyLion The card gives you 5% cash back at Amazon and bookstore spending. From the way the message is worded the nerf is on the bookstore spend not on Amazon spend. I could be wrong.

FIC Scores XPN v8 808 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 803 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 800 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 11,100 State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank Wells Fargo

ZackAttack · ‎11-09-2023

@AndySoCal wrote:
@GatorCowboyLion The card gives you 5% cash back at Amazon and bookstore spending. From the way the message is worded the nerf is on the bookstore spend not on Amazon spend. I could be wrong.

You do know that the Amazon website transaction swipe is coded as a bookstore, right?

GatorCowboyLion · ‎11-09-2023

Yes, I'm confident the $1000 is inclusive of both Amazon and book stores.