How to get the most out of Amex BCE?

[Gregory1776]

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wrote:
I recently noticed I have Not been getting the 6% back from my local Fred Meyers store where I usually shop because it appears they are coding that as a "super store" giving me only 1% a little irritated as I like Fred Meyers. I could go back to Carrs Safeway but that is not my first choice for groceries.

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Are they like Walmart?

[morgacj2004]

Yes similar concept.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Amex can't see my receipt, how would they know if it's a gift card or bread I purchased?

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Do you know what Level 3 data is?  If you aren't familiar with it I suggest you do some research.  Merchants give Amex and other card issuers access to Level 3 data in exchange for lower processing fees.  I think you would be surprised to learn what Amex knows about what you purchase with their cards.  Just ask the many people whose accounts were terminated for manufactured spending how Amex knew what they were doing.

[kilroy8]

See if your Safeway has Fred Meyers gift cards. Many places do.

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wrote:
I recently noticed I have Not been getting the 6% back from my local Fred Meyers store where I usually shop because it appears they are coding that as a "super store" giving me only 1% a little irritated as I like Fred Meyers. I could go back to Carrs Safeway but that is not my first choice for groceries.

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[Anonymous]

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wrote:
I recently noticed I have Not been getting the 6% back from my local Fred Meyers store where I usually shop because it appears they are coding that as a "super store" giving me only 1% a little irritated as I like Fred Meyers. I could go back to Carrs Safeway but that is not my first choice for groceries.

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Correct, Fred Meyer does not code as a grocery store. 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/rewards-info/retail.html

[Anonymous]

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You can only PC a BCE to a BCP card. You can't go to the ED series or anything.

You may find MR points better but really they are only valuable (IMO) for travel related redemption and some gift cards. Anything else you're looking at less than a 1% return at the base level, so it doesn't beat even your BCE. Just depends on what you want your rewards to do for you. If you do want travel, MR points can be great. If you want to redeem for statement credit type of things, MR points convert poorly.

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I don't ever travel, so I would say the EDP card isn't for me.

[simplynoir]

Then I would keep the card as is for the time being and use the card as a donor for another revolver with AMEX because as some pointed out you can only PC it to the BCP or just let it sit there. That's what I'm doing with my BCE I'm basically gonna transfer the limit to another revolver (hopefully new Marriott AMEX in the future) and keep the account open because of how old it is at this point.

[morgacj2004]

I wouldn't have gotten this card if I had known that. Only option now is to switch over to Carrs Safeway or use another card.

[Anonymous]

Then I would keep the card as is for the time being and use the card as a donor for another revolver with AMEX because as some pointed out you can only PC it to the BCP or just let it sit there. That's what I'm doing with my BCE I'm basically gonna transfer the limit to another revolver (hopefully new Marriott AMEX in the future) and keep the account open because of how old it is at this point.

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Gotcha, understood.  I'll probably just continue to use it for grocery spend until Amex comes out with another product, or I somehow find use for another one of their current products and then use it as a donor card as you said.  My limit is $40k, so there's a good amount there that could go elsewhere when the timing is right.

[redpat]

OP, it looks like you got a 40k CL with no where to go.  By the looks of it chase AARP, Freedom and Discover cards are all you need and even through in Chase FU.  If you don’t travel Amex isn’t the best place to be.

There is nothing wrong w/ just closing it, omg did I say that out loud on these forums.  I have closed cards with 20k+ limits that I would never use again.  Don’t get caught up with CLs and feel you have to keep the card just because of it.