American Express Membership Rewards - Finding "Everyday Purchase" Merchants

The AMEX Blue Cash Card rebates 5% for Everyday Purchases and 1% for all other purchases. It appears to me that many of my purchases that I would consider "Everyday Purchases" are not so classified by American Express. Calling them was of no help. Does anyone else have the same concern?

https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluecash.maximize

*Everyday Purchases are purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations and drug stores that are not departments of superstores or warehouse clubs.

Having read the rules, what purchases do you claim that you are being shorted on?

This thread raises a question I have not found easy to answer from my statement and points balance (since the bonuses are often delayed):

When I use my AMEX Plat for purchases at a military commissary, does the Membership Rewards program grant that double points as an everyday purchase at a "U.S. Supermarket" or do I lose the bonus for buying groceries at a commissary where I obtain outstanding value?

When I use my AMEX Plat for purchases at a military commissary, does the Membership Rewards program grant that double points as an everyday purchase at a "U.S. Supermarket"
Look at the merchant code on your statement.

Look at the merchant code on your statement.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious. I usually just view bills online but when I clicked on the merchant it listed the commissary as a grocery store so that must obviously mean that purchases qualify for double everyday points.

I have found the "merchant codes" very confusing. Here are some examples:
Some gas stations list "GAS" as the merchant code others don't. For example SUNOCO is listed as the "code" in lieu of "GAS". Some gas purchases at SHELL are listed as "GAS" and others aren't.
We purchase most of our drugs at CVS, but its code is listed as "HEALTH/BEAUTY-AIDS". RITE AID has a code of 'VADRUG STORE/PHARMACY" Are either of these purchases "everyday"?
In summary, it appears to me that American Express in intentionally trying to conceal that fact that some purchases do not qualify under:

"Everyday Purchases are purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations and drug stores that are not departments of superstores or warehouse clubs."

Why else wouldn't they make it clear on the statement which purchases qualify and which ones don't?

Merchant codes are selected by the merchant, not assigned by American Express. CVS is unquestionably a pharmacy, Sunoco is a gas station, and neither are part of a superstore or warehouse club, by which they mean WalMart, Sam's, Costco, BJ's et.al.

<< Calling them was of no help.>>

I always write to American Express because it documents the discussion. I typically use the customer service email link on the website, but sometimes I send a fax.

When you called, did the customer service agent explain how your rebate had been calculated and reconcile it against your own calculation? I expect not. Did the person indicate that the problem would be referred to a specialist and that you would receive a letter of explanation? In my experience this take about six weeks and the letter is unsatisfactory *but* it will give you the name of a specific individual to mention thereafter.

dennis

<<Blue Cash Card rebates 5% for Everyday Purchases>> after the first $6,500 of purchases. Have you passed that threshold?