Some credit card deals take seconds to complete. Others are more of a daily grind. This is no MEGA-Deal (or “HOT!” as @TheDealMommy would say), but I thought it’d be grounds for a fun post.
Banana Republic Visa Card (no affiliation to this credit card or link) is one of my favorite “outlier” credit cards. I shop there often (as does my wife) so we enjoy the benefits of its LUXE status, including free shipping and alterations (more details here). Its general reward plan is 1 point/$1 spent with 1,000 points = $10 reward certificate (i.e. “5% rebate”). (Note, Discover Card is running 10% cash back promotion that might be better for some.)
BR sends several promotions each year directly related to its apparent goal of getting customers to tie themselves to using their BR credit card to a greater degree outside of its brands (BR, Gap, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta). This current targeted offer (mailer) running November 1 – December 31, 2013 is for 200 points per transaction outside its brands, up to a total of 5,000 points. Thus, each transaction is worth $2 in rewards, up to $50 max.
So, my plan is to “move my BR Visa Card up” i.e. put it in my wallet rotation, for the purpose of buying my Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts coffees, plus maybe a pack of gum here or there, until I reach the 25 transaction limit before the year’s end. While I LOVE the Starbucks app for purchase ease, rewards, free apps/songs, etc., I’m sure I’ll be fine, as I drink a latte coffee!
Other terms to note:
- The offer is appears to be targeted only.
- The card locks after more than 20 transactions per 24-hour period. You then have to call in to unlock.
- There is no minimum transaction size. Transactions of $0.01 qualify as a purchase.
Sure, I could not chai so hard and do things instantly, like pay 25 x $1 bill payments on my cell phone or the like. But I figure if I take my time, the deal will seem to have more long-java-ity.
Do you have any other ideas brewing?
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Also taking advantage of this offer but haven’t seen the bonus points credited to my online account. Does that happen after the promotion ends or perhaps the next billing cycle?
[…] in threads (while waiting to use with the frequent 40% off offers that come about) is pretty good. Travelblawg also had a nice detailed account of a [less-lucrative] targeted offer he […]
Last year they ran this with no cap. Did some serious damage. I am now a walking BR ad and my wife is a running Athleta ad. This year they gave me this but also $10 back on $75 for 10 days with no cap. Thanks to Google Wallet, I am maximizing this one. Gotta love BR and their whacky marketing gurus
Exactly! One reason while snail mail is not dead. Always check your mail for “hidden” deals and unique MF spend options!
Make paymemts with Starbucks card, top up with the BR Visa — and remember that if you’re using a licensed store (airport, supermarket, Target, etc.) then keep $1 or so on one Starbucks card and put the balance on another for double stars with every purchase.
I like that idea to keep my Stars balance happy. I’ll play around with it!
Sounds like a neat card if you shop at BR as you do. Ideas for keeping Starbucks rewards while using this card to its fullest potential: maintain $1 on your Starbucks card by transferring between cards one dollar after each visit. Pay first with the app to get your star and then when you’re “short” for the remainder use the BR Visa.
Also +1 for “long-java-ity”….love that one!