Limited redemption options on Comenity AAA card

[SouthJamaica]

I have the Comenity AAA Travel Advantage Visa Card. Nice card with annoying redemption problem for me. I generally maintain a zero reported balance on rewards cards, paying them off before the statement cuts. With this card one can't redeem one's rewards except (a) as a statement credit against the "statement balance" or (b) by making a phone call and requesting a direct deposit.

Since I never have a statement balance, I would have to make a phone call every month to redeem my rewards.

I know for some people this wouldn't be a problem but for anyone who likes to pay off their balances before the statement cuts, it is.

BTW there is no basis in their "terms and conditions" for this. They say the opposite, that you can get the statement credit against the current balance, and that you can elect "direct deposit".

[coldfusion]

In other words, they can/t/don't/won't automatically credit a reward so that the account would potentially show a negative balance?  That's something that the AOD Visa does; if there's a negative balance on the account at statement closing time the card will be reported as with a $0 balance.

[SouthJamaica]

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@coldfusion wrote:

In other words, they can/t/don't/won't automatically credit a reward so that the account would potentially show a negative balance?  That's something that the AOD Visa does; if there's a negative balance on the account at statement closing time the card will be reported as with a $0 balance.

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Worse than that. They won't credit it unless you have a statement balance. I.e., even if you have a current balance they won't credit it against that.

BTW there's nothing in their terms and conditions which suggest any of this; it is all in violation of their terms and conditions. I'm supposed to be able to get a statement credit against the current balance, and I'm supposed to be able to select direct deposit on the website.

[coldfusion]

That probably wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me but would definitely be annoying, probably less so for the Daily Advantage card as my yearly spend on groceries >> fuel.

[Tcal]

That's weird because I can redeem my rewards balance as a direct deposit right now through the website, and I've never had an issue doing so...

[SouthJamaica]

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@Tcal wrote:

That's weird because I can redeem my rewards balance as a direct deposit right now through the website, and I've never had an issue doing so...

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That is weird. The same card? AAA Travel Advantage Visa?

And did you have a statement balance?

[CreditCobra]

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@Tcal wrote:

That's weird because I can redeem my rewards balance as a direct deposit right now through the website, and I've never had an issue doing so...

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Same, I just direct deposit anytime I notice that it's over $5.00.

[SouthJamaica]

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@CreditCobra wrote:

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@Tcal wrote:

That's weird because I can redeem my rewards balance as a direct deposit right now through the website, and I've never had an issue doing so...

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Same, I just direct deposit anytime I notice that it's over $5.00.

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I spoke to customer service. The rep said the inability to utilize the direct deposit redemption online is a known issue, and they are seeking to have it rectified next month.  She could not understand why there was an issue on the statement credit, but she was able to input it without a problem.

[Guyatthebeach]

SouthJamaica,

I have the exact same problem when I redeem the points on my Barclay View card. The system rarely lets me do a direct deposit, so I have to call in. It's so annoying to have call and wait. 

I will let the rewards accumulate for a couple of months to get at least $50 dollars as a statement credit. I will keep a balance of at $60 when the statement closes. The day after the statement closes, I log in and redeem the points for a statement credit. Then I log back in a week before the payment is due, pay the balance off in full, and let it report with a zero balance.

There is no real negative impact to my FICO score since it reports either as 0 or 1% credit usage when the balance reports. I only let 4 to 5 cards report credit balances, so there maybe 1 or 2 point change to my FICO score.

Guyatthebeach

[M_Smart007]

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@SouthJamaica wrote:

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@CreditCobra wrote:

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@Tcal wrote:

That's weird because I can redeem my rewards balance as a direct deposit right now through the website, and I've never had an issue doing so...

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Same, I just direct deposit anytime I notice that it's over $5.00.

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I spoke to customer service. The rep said the inability to utilize the direct deposit redemption online is a known issue, and they are seeking to have it rectified next month.  She could not understand why there was an issue on the statement credit, but she was able to input it without a problem.

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@SouthJamaica, Yep, the cash redemption had worked fine, anytime ..any amount.

Now can only use statement credit if you have a balance.

So I guess what your saying (reading between the lines) it is good for an AZEO card.

Except I am pretty sure you do not need an AZEO card.

Bet they'll have the cash redemption option fixed soon.