Returning big ticket item, are credit card miles removed?
I may need to return something ($700) and was wondering if anyone knows whether or not the miles will be removed. Specifically, this is a SW Chase card and it only matters as I am trying to acquire a companion pass.
Any advice? Mods, feel free to put in another category if this is the wrong place to ask.
I may need to return something ($700) and was wondering if anyone knows whether or not the miles will be removed. Specifically, this is a SW Chase card and it only matters as I am trying to acquire a companion pass.
Any advice? Mods, feel free to put in another category if this is the wrong place to ask.
Thank you!
generally speaking, they can, it is a big YMMV. However, if I was you and was concerned about it, I would see if they can credit it to a different card, like your bank card. I did this with a bunch of items i bought from Nordstroms...they never took the miles back and I was able to credit it back to several different cards. Again, it will depend on the store though...some require the exact same card. Tell them you closed that account and that card is no longer valid, see if that works.
I may need to return something ($700) and was wondering if anyone knows whether or not the miles will be removed. Specifically, this is a SW Chase card and it only matters as I am trying to acquire a companion pass.
Any advice? Mods, feel free to put in another category if this is the wrong place to ask.
Thank you!
If the store credits the refund back to the same card you used for the purchase (which most will), then the miles will be deducted from the account. I've had statement periods where I have had negative miles post, because my (legitimate) returns exceeded my purchases.
As a prior poster mentions, some stores will let you credit back to a different card (perhaps your bank ATM/debit card). I've used this tactic a few times on larger (legitimate) returns. Not every store will do it this way - but if you ask nicely - and offer an excuse like "I forgot my other card" or something - you may find a receptive clerk.
Miles were not removed on my Citi card, but I was told that I was in the hole for the amount of return and the negative miles balance was to be taken care of by future charges to the card. Since I was close to my annual renewal time, which meant paying annual CC fees, I chose to close that CC account. That ended the saga of the negative miles balance on the card.
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Miles were not removed on my Citi card, but I was told that I was in the hole for the amount of return and the negative miles balance was to be taken care of by future charges to the card. Since I was close to my annual renewal time, which meant paying annual CC fees, I chose to close that CC account. That ended the saga of the negative miles balance on the card.
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But with Chase all too often if you end up not charging enough to have covered the reurns they will go back and remove any bonus that you got. Even if some folks were lucky and they didnt the % are against you when it comes to Chase
OP if the place wont credit it to any CC but the 1 you used, Id be heading out to buy some Gift cards to the stores you know where you will end up spending the $$$ anyway just to be on the safe side
Returning big ticket item, are credit card miles removed?
Agree with previous post.
Calculate your worst case scenario; is losing $700 of miles the point in which you're sunk, or is it closer to $200 or $400 or whatever. Know that number. Know when your next statement date is.
Go buy gift cards. Or pay a lump amount against one of your utility bills. Or, worst case, go buy something else from some other store that you can return next month.
Thinking further, the most notable exception to this rule is a loophole with bank points programs. If your purchase was on a card that accrued Diners' rewards points, Amex MR or Chase UR, you might have an angle. For these, if you're happy closing out and moving away from the program, you could:
Transfer OUT all of your points from the card program to an air or hotel partner - then refund the purchase back to that card. You'll be left with a negative points balance. Then, close the card account.
When leaving Diners due to a job change, I thought about playing this game. This was in the pre-FT mid-90s, and I broke a golden rule - calling the card issuer to ask. Albeit now nearly 20-year stale advice, Diners said they had no ability to reverse outbound points transfers, even if you cancelled the card with a negative points balance.
I gave thought to a quick $25k purchase at Tiffanys, but ultimately didn't employ the strategy.
In general, such a strategy would be penny-wise but pound-foolish...though I think it would work.
I just had a $1,000 credit to my Citi HHonors card and was wondering what will happen as well. I will report back on 12/15 but am avoiding use of the card this billing period just in case they don't deduct them.
Thanks for all the helpful responses and experiences with Chase.
Yes, I will definitely have more expenses on the card and will now "cover" the $700 with gift cards or something else. Don't want to close the account and DO want to make Companion Pass.
I will let you know what happens and will see if I can get the return credited to another account.
I just had a $1,000 credit to my Citi HHonors card and was wondering what will happen as well. I will report back on 12/15 but am avoiding use of the card this billing period just in case they don't deduct them.
You would be in a hole for future accrual. Citi keeps an internal records on the earning on its affinity cards. With the TYP in house program Citi would deduct the TYPs directly.
Chase would transfer the negative to the loyalty program on all its affinity cards.
AMEX seems to operate the same way Citi does on its affinity cards. I had a $500 refund on a DL card because an AMEX GC did not work and AMEX GC agreed to refund it via a check but it ended up refunding to the card. AMEX actually reduced my scheduled payment to reflect the refund but I have yet seen a subtraction of 500 miles from the DL account.
Programs: Citi AA/HH/TYP Amex SPG/HH & Chase SP/PC
Posts: 1,119
Some good ideas in this thread. For a purchase under $300 you can activate purchase protection (see your program terms for details). They will send you a check. Limit is 1k per year so not very profitable. I use it when I really need it.
