Credit Card Offers

[JSS3]

I am not sure how this works exactly for the credit card companies who offer discounts on their websites. I believe they get a kickback(other than than the swipe fee) for these discounted offers (ie Chase, Wells, BoA, and Amex offers)? So in that, I assume they want you to take advantage of them and aren't offering you something they don't really want you to use(ie like what they do with cash advanges). If this assumption is correct, then taking advantage of as many as you can, as frequently as you can, will make them happy and they'll more than likely offer more offers like them again in the vein of what they've seen you take advantage of(and maybe even better)?

I have this Olive Garden offer on my Amex that expires today. I like the Olive Garden. However, I'm moreso willing to go to show Amex that I appreciate the offer and to send things like that my way again. That would be the reason why I'd feel the urge to go. 

[Anonymous]

I really don't think those actually matter. IMHO, there is no need to bend out of shape to please a lender. Spend when we need to, as we normally do. There is an offer? great. But don't let it dictates our spending.

We are responsible for our own financial well being, lenders won't save us when we are in deep hole.

[JSS3]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I really don't think those actually matter. IMHO, there is no need to bend out of shape to please a lender. Spend when we need to, as we normally do. There is an offer? great. But don't let it dictates our spending.

We are responsible for our own financial well being, lenders won't save us when we are in deep hole.

I get all of the above and agree(to a degree). However, little discounts(on top of your normal rewards) for spending in areas you ACTUALLY enjoy is great and should be incentivized if possible. If I felt I were being forced to overspend in areas I didn't enjoy(in order to please a lender so they could give me more useless offers, AND that resulting in finacial ruin) then I'd completely agree.

The enlarged, bolded black is the GOSPEL. In total agreement there!

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[Anonymous]

I usually see around 100 offers from Amex  and they definitely don't seem geared towards my spending habits. As with Rakuten, I imagine they are sponsored by the stores and other businesses and Amex is giving us a certain share of it.

[AceTen]

Hello. I would not spend money just so "amex might like me in the furture and send more offers". You are doing them a favor by using their card in the first place. The cashback is just marketing, not some bonus for being a good customer.

That said I did just get 35% cashback at Olive Garden via an Amazon Prime offer and I redeemed it for the max $28 cash back as a statement credit. I had to take someone to lunch and was pleasantly surprised that Olive Garden had improved. I was pleased with the meal and the deal. Bought a $25 gift card to max out the offer with the meal and the statement credit of $28 was applied to my Amazon Chase prime in 3 days.

[JSS3]

It's not about getting Amex to like me.

I guess I see things a little different.

This is a mutually beneficial business relationship until either party declines to work with the other.

I am pleased to get these little discounts as every little bit adds up. Amex is pleased for my swipe and markets this to me. The best business is when both parties walk away pleased.

I am not romanticizing these companies and their offers as some type of special(read:endearing) relationship. One where they see me as their bff(bestfriend). I AM trying to "Hedge my bets" so that I can see future discounts(IF possible).

[AceTen]

That's a good view point. I would say use the offers if you were already planning to spend the money but don't be lured into spending money just because you are saving 5% or 10% more. It's like sales and discounts, they entice people to buy things they would otherwise not buy. People are much more likely to spend money if they think they are getting a good deal. I know people who will buy things only because it's a great deal, not because they need the thing or want it. I thank goodness for people like that because that's how I get paid. I'm in he marketing business.

[AceTen]

If you were going to buy something without the extra offer then use the offer. If the offer entices you to make purchases that you would not other wise make then it has done it's job as marketing. Credit Card companies are sending offers because they make extra money from retailers to do so. Amex and Chase are basically trying to expand their business by adding affiliate link cashback like Rakuten or ebates. And that's fine with me because I like extra cash back without the hassle of using a cashback site.

[Anonymous]

I have had a ton of Amex cards over the years and I have used exactly 3 Amex offers.  

1) 5 dollars off Starbucks

2) $30 off Blue Apron (Stacked with $20 off first 3 orders)

3) $20 off California Pizza Kitchen

Unlike Bank of America which has great offers all the time I find Amex offers to be pretty awful and unrelated to anywhere I would shop.  Most of the places I have never heard of before. 

[Anonymous]

Speaking of offers, go check your amex offers. The other day I got hit with +4 points for Amazon purchases for the remainder of the year.

I don't think OP is talking about letting the offers fully decide purchases. Just nudges you towards something over the other.
For example, just noticed a $10 off for Omaha Steaks. I need to get a pollyanna gift for my oldest brother and he just got a fancy new grill. Wasn't sure what to get him, but that offer made a good suggestion and saves me a few bucks. Also enlightened me to the fact that there's an Omaha Steaks location/restaurant thingy super close to me. Didn't even know that was a thing.

But yes, if say my girlfriend and I are taking her niece out for the day and we're unsure where to eat for dinner and I notice an offer for Bahama Breeze or something, the offer for extra points or the bill being reduced may be the decider. The offer isn't going to make me decide to go out to eat, but if I was already planning to go out to eat, it'll sway me towards a place.