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I didn't think BCE/BCP had rewards category caps on them?
@espnjunkie wrote:I didn't think BCE/BCP had rewards category caps on them?Spell Check
New since Oct. Beginning in Jan, or on the anniversary date, grocery cap is $6000 (so $180 for BCE, $360 for BCP) per year.
That's pretty lame that they started capping it. This will never happen, but if they are going to reduce a card's benefits they should compensate customers by also reducing the annual fee a bit. Unlimited 6% on groceries was great for family grocery purchases.
Yes, a little too good for their profits apparently! But good marketing, I'm sure they brought in a lot of people with that amazing rate, and, at least this year, I've benefitted a lot but now it doesn't look so good.
With some non-AF cards, you can get unlimited 3% on groceries, which means the gain from having Amex is down to .06* $6000 (Amex rebate) - (0.03)*$6000 (other card) - $75 (annual fee) which is $105 (and actually probably a tiny bit less as you probably won't hit exactly $6000, and so will only get 1% on that last little bit that takes you passed $6000). So, given the current state, not sure I would apply if I didn't have it.
While I currently am not spending 6,000.00 per year on groceries, I am considering downgrading to the annual fee free BCE version. The main selling point on BCP for me was unlimited 6% cash back on groceries. That could justofy the 75.00 annual fee, but now that it is capped I don't see how BCP is worth an extra 75.00 over a free BCE?
@espnjunkie wrote:While I currently am not spending 6,000.00 per year on groceries, I am considering downgrading to the annual fee free BCE version. The main selling point on BCP for me was unlimited 6% cash back on groceries. That could justofy the 75.00 annual fee, but now that it is capped I don't see how BCP is worth an extra 75.00 over a free BCE?
Well, some simple math: on groceries, BCP gives you three percent more. When is 3% more than 75? At $2500. If you spend that per year on groceries, BCE would give you $75 cash back, BCP would give you $150, which minus the annual fee, = $75.
Only complication is if you use the card for gas and department stores as well. In those cases, BCP gives you an additional one % over BCE, reducing the need to spend $2500 on groceries. So the real formula is GrocerySpend*0.03 + (Gas and Dept Spend)*.01. If that exceeds 75, BCP is better, otherwise BCE.
Above is for grocery spend up to $6000 of course!