Upgrading BCE for BCP..

[Gregory1776]

Seems anything is 6% if the merchant is set up as groceries. I know two local wine stores are goaded as groceries for me.

[Anonymous]

Same here with the wine stores that code on grocery. Would be nice if those gave 6 percent also. 

Would make me use the card alot more

[Gregory1776]

---

@Anonymouswrote:

Same here with the wine stores that code on grocery. Would be nice if those gave 6 percent also. 

Would make me use the card alot more

---

Mine are! 

[simplynoir]

Be careful just because they code the merchant as "groceries" doesn't mean you'll get the spend bonus from it. Check your statements to be sure. I know a few members on here got surprises like that not getting the 3%/6% they were expecting.

[HeavenOhio]

The merchant has to qualify as a "supermarket" in order to get the 3%/6% reward. Not everything that codes as groceries will qualify.

Here's information from AMEX:

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

Quoting that page:

Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:

• Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores)
• Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart)
• Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club)

You're going to have to wait up to two months to find out for sure if a merchant qualifies as a supermarket (or any particular category reward). To do this, once your rewards are updated, go to "Statements and Activity in your account. In the dropdown at the top, and choose any of your previous statements. Scroll down to the bottom, where you'll find a box labeled "Rewards Details." In that box, hit the link that says "Bonus Details." Charges qualifying for category rewards during that statement period will be listed.

[Anonymous]

---

@HeavenOhiowrote:

The merchant has to qualify as a "supermarket" in order to get the 3%/6% reward. Not everything that codes as groceries will qualify.

Here's information from AMEX:

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

Quoting that page:

Examples of merchants where you will NOT earn additional rewards include:

• Specialty stores (e.g., fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores)
• Superstores (e.g. Amazon, Target and Wal-Mart)
• Warehouse clubs (e.g. BJ's Club)

You're going to have to wait up to two months to find out for sure if a merchant qualifies as a supermarket (or any particular category reward). To do this, once your rewards are updated, go to "Statements and Activity in your account. In the dropdown at the top, choose any of your previous statements. Scroll down to the bottom, where you'll find a box labeled "Rewards Details." In that box, hit the link that says "Bonus Details." Charges qualifying for category rewards during that statement period will be listed.

---

Right, and in particular just because something codes as supermarket on a Visa/MC doesn't mean it will on Amex.   

[HeavenOhio]

To summarize, ignore the codes and check the Bonus Details once they become available. The AMEX groceries code is much broader than what actually qualifies as a supermarket.

[Anonymous]

HeavenOhio said it best. Know the exclusion factors to expect & try the card at the places you grocery shop. In 2 annoyingly long months check your statement to see if it codes properly.

I know lots of people (Google search of "what stores count as grocery for BCE / BCP") have had trouble or hurt feelings over what stores will or will not code properly for 3-6%, but I myself have had no surprises when it comes to qualifying merchants. Kroger, Harris Teeter, trader Joe's, Publix, Wegmans, the fresh market along with any number of random region specific grocery stores code properly - provided its not a Costco/Sam's/Fred Meyer style grocery-warehouse hybrid place.

The rewards earning and redemption restrictions are a pain in the ass but I love my soon to be upgraded BCE.

[HeavenOhio]

When I poked around the internet, someone made a good point by stating that groceries are products while supermarkets are a type of store. The local wine shop may sell a few groceries, such as crackers and cheese. But it's not likely to have the bakery, deli, dairy, canned goods, or household products that you'd find in a supermarket.

[jlitnns]

Anybody know about WinCo? We have one opening up here in a few months. My wife and I shopped there a lot before we moved and wondering/hoping it works. I didn't have BCP at the time, I was ignorant to the MyFICO ways...