@JustMe77 wrote:I shop at Costco all the time and am not getting 2x rewards with the Eco pack. It's giving me 2x rewards at Chipotle and Whole Foods, though. I just got $10 off $50 at Whole Foods from Amex Facebook's Like/Link/Love thing.
I'll have to try it at Wal-Mart, but I know I'm not getting it at Costco.
I signed up for the home pack, got my Lowe's gift card really quickly, but then cancelled the home pack (so they refunded the fee to me). I haven't used the Lowe's card, though.
Interesting that not everyone gets the Costco 2x.Maybe I'll test it with something small.
Maybe I should call and cancel the Connect pack. Now that I have more info, I'm not sure it's such a bargain for me.
Thanks for the info! 
@Open123 wrote:For MR Express/MR points, converting for cash gift cards or statement credits is never a good value. If cash is your reward of choice, there are definitely better options such as Discover, Chase, and even B of A.
For MR Express, the best value is to redeem for gift cards. Once in a while, they'll have bonuses. Last month, they had a special on a $25 Gap card for 1,250 points.
The best value for MR points is to convert to frequent flyer miles when airlines have a special on airfare. Unfortunately, MR Express points aren't eligible for this feature. If you plan on travelling, I'd recommend hoarding the points upgrading them to full MR when you plan to travel.
Using MR points on the right deals can be an equivalent of a 5% rewards with no dollar limit. Cash back cards are great, but they're all capped at around $1,500 per quarter, which is quite limiting. 2% cashback cards are unspectular when compared to using a the same equivalent of point to upgrade to a full business class international flight valued at around $2,000 plus.
Well, I'm new to rewards, but do prefer straight cash back, rather than having to find something that I may or may not want or need just so I can redeem my points. Somehow I thought that the Zync rewards points were redeemable towards the balance on your acct. I think I've gotten confused with all of the CCs I've been looking at! 
I don't travel, so I don't see that I would be using points for that in the near future. Maybe I'll just stick with whatever packs are free or come with a gift card, like Lowes, so it won't really cost me anything.
I'm terrified to call Amex, but does anyone know the best # to call for info about their rewards (or to cancel the connect pack)? Just the # on the back of the card? I'm scared to draw attn to myself, with all of the hoopla here about FRs. 
@improvingmycredit wrote:
+1With regards to the points conversion- you do get 1 pt for every $1 spent. With different packs, you get 2X to 5X your points for every $1 spent. It is true that if you redeem the points for Amex gift cards, then you will get .05 for every $1. However, if you use the points to redeem for gift cards at various vendors, it's 1 pt for $1 conversion. For example- $50 Amex card or cash back = 10000 pts. $50 Barnes and Noble gift card = 5000 pts. You really can maximize the different Zync packs to suit your particular needs. Like everything else, it's what you make of it. If you perfer to redeem for cash back, then the rewards are sub par. However, if you like maximizing point awards for using your cards, then you def can get back more then what you put into it.
Thanks! That helps to clarify it for me. I didn't realize that the cash back was less than other rewards/gift cards. Kind of silly, if you ask me. I'll have to re-think my future spending pattern. 
Hello B! Don't be afraid to use your Amex or call them. Remember, you are the customer, not the other way around. They make money off you every time you charge something on their card. Just call the # on the back to cancel the pack. The only advice I have is the same that I received from the rep: treat the account like a new pair of shoes. Give them time to break in... ie... let them learn your spending patterns. You won't have any problems.
Starting Score: 642
@improvingmycredit wrote:Hello B! Don't be afraid to use your Amex or call them. Remember, you are the customer, not the other way around. They make money off you every time you charge something on their card. Just call the # on the back to cancel the pack. The only advice I have is the same that I received from the rep: treat the account like a new pair of shoes. Give them time to break in... ie... let them learn your spending patterns. You won't have any problems.
Thanks! I keep telling myself that it's only a small % who are FRd and we just read about it here. But still, I'm being cautious for sure. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind.
I know you've worked so hard on your credit and I'd hate to see you not enjoy the fruits of your labor! I was FR'd when I first got the card but I'm sure it had to do with the types of credit cards I had on my profile and the limits at the time. FP- $500 limit / Credit One - $400 limit ect.. Even that being said, since the FR, I've gone crazy spending on my Amex - use it for everything... I mean everything. Ha-Ha- I've already earned 30000+pts since I've gotten it (December 2011) by using their shopping site, points bonus buys and referrals. I've applied and gotten 2 more cards with them and don't think a thing about being FR'd. Enjoy the card and if you get FR'd, I'm sure that you were honest on your app so no worries. But I doubt very seriously that you will be or have anything to worry about.