Jul 3, 2019, 8:56 am
Last edit by: rrgg
$50 statement credit for purchases made at Saks. Enrollment required prior to purchase.
Online orders do not charge until shipped. Many items are carried in-stock by Saks and eligible for ShopRunner shipping - data points suggest that these will charge and ship quickly.
However, many other items on Saks(dot)com drop ship from the manufacturer. For these, expected delivery dates may not be reliable, are not guaranteed, and orders cannot be cancelled easily.
If you place an online order close to the end of an Amex credit period, there is a risk that your item may not ship (and Amex will not be charged) until after the end of the credit period.
Note on shipping & billing times: If a product shows that ShopRunner shipping is available, it is shipped by Saks and is likely to ship and bill quickly. If there's no ShopRunner option, it is likely drop-shipped from the manufacturer meaning the shipping date and actual charge date will be further out.
Things known to count for the credit:
- This benefit is available twice a year, once from Jan-Jun and once again from Jul-Dec.
- Use it or lose it, does not rollover or accumulate. There is no "meter" to track how much you've spent. Check your statement for credits.
- Per AMEX CS chat the transaction date is what determines whether a purchase is reimbursed from the Jan-Jun benefit or the Jul-Dec benefit.
- Actual experience from 2019: first-half purchase submitted only 6/27, shipped 6/29, went from pending to posted on 7/1 (but dated as 6/29), credit posted on 7/1, was able to use second $50 credit a week or two later
- Purchases by Additional Card Members (both the $175 Plat-colored and free Gold-colored) will be reimbursed also, but only up to an aggregate $50 per Account.
Online orders do not charge until shipped. Many items are carried in-stock by Saks and eligible for ShopRunner shipping - data points suggest that these will charge and ship quickly.
However, many other items on Saks(dot)com drop ship from the manufacturer. For these, expected delivery dates may not be reliable, are not guaranteed, and orders cannot be cancelled easily.
If you place an online order close to the end of an Amex credit period, there is a risk that your item may not ship (and Amex will not be charged) until after the end of the credit period.
Note on shipping & billing times: If a product shows that ShopRunner shipping is available, it is shipped by Saks and is likely to ship and bill quickly. If there's no ShopRunner option, it is likely drop-shipped from the manufacturer meaning the shipping date and actual charge date will be further out.
Things known to count for the credit:
- Merchandise purchased in Saks stores or online
- Physical gift cards purchased in-store
- Physical gift cards purchased online (min $150)
- e-gift cards (these are fulfilled by a different vendor)
- anything bought at "Saks Off 5th" (however, you can use a Saks gift card at Off 5th...)
$50 credit at Saks 5th Ave every 6 months with Plat card (2018 - 2021)
Jan 6, 2020, 12:57 am
#631
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVPG 100K, IHG Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,704
Mine did. Bought a $50 physical GC at Saks’ physical store in NYC in Feb of 2019. Credit was triggered and posted to my AMEX statement. I closed the Plat card a few months later (as I have another Plat card. AMEX mailed me a paper statement in November reversing the $50 credit.
Jan 6, 2020, 1:19 am
#632
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,847
Mine did. Bought a $50 physical GC at Saks’ physical store in NYC in Feb of 2019. Credit was triggered and posted to my AMEX statement. I closed the Plat card a few months later (as I have another Plat card. AMEX mailed me a paper statement in November reversing the $50 credit.
Jan 6, 2020, 2:45 am
#633
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Mine did. Bought a $50 physical GC at Saks’ physical store in NYC in Feb of 2019. Credit was triggered and posted to my AMEX statement. I closed the Plat card a few months later (as I have another Plat card. AMEX mailed me a paper statement in November reversing the $50 credit.
Jan 6, 2020, 4:58 am
#634
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Mine did. Bought a $50 physical GC at Saks’ physical store in NYC in Feb of 2019. Credit was triggered and posted to my AMEX statement. I closed the Plat card a few months later (as I have another Plat card. AMEX mailed me a paper statement in November reversing the $50 credit.
Going back 9 months to reverse an automatically-triggered credit seems rather extraordinary. Have you contacted Amex to find out what went on with the $50 credit reversal?
Jan 6, 2020, 6:23 am
#635
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Please mention how long that Plat card was open (at least if it was more or less than 1 year).
Jan 6, 2020, 9:55 am
#636
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
This seems to indicate that the $50 credit was clawed back because you canceled the Plat card rather than because you bought a gift card. Has anyone else had the same experience? I’m planning on canceling my card when the renewal fee comes up at the end of the month.
I used to start out the year with two delta plats, get in the minimum spend for the two MQM boosts and then upgrade to a reserve for the two mqm boosts and downgrade and since Delta no longer gives Diamonds a skyclub membership the only reason I opened up the platinum card was for lounge access during the months I didn't have a delta reserve card at the skyclub and lounge access at LAX. Figures not even a week after I opened this account Delta/Am Ex announced the enhancements to the reserve card so I no longer have any use for the Plat card.
Jan 6, 2020, 12:21 pm
#637
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,675
Mine did. Bought a $50 physical GC at Saks’ physical store in NYC in Feb of 2019. Credit was triggered and posted to my AMEX statement. I closed the Plat card a few months later (as I have another Plat card. AMEX mailed me a paper statement in November reversing the $50 credit.
Jan 7, 2020, 3:37 am
#638
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Everywhere & Nowhere - living in hotels worldwide 365
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, HH Diamond, IHG Plat/IC Amb, Hyatt Globalist, GHA Plat
Posts: 57
But rather than stare at it, I went online and traded it in for $40 of Amazon credit. Sure, it's a reduction in the benefit value, but it's value that I'll actually use. The site I used was www.cardcash.com The Amazon value arrived as an e-code which I applied immediately to my account. I then threw away the Sak's card. No need to mail it in or wait for a physical card to arrive in trade. No, I am not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.
Jan 7, 2020, 7:27 am
#639
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
It was a bad idea to throw away the sold card right away. I don't know the exact terms of your transaction. But most likely you're guaranteeing the value of the Saks card until it has a new owner and they don't dispute anything. If the sold card gets drained in the interim, you may have to provide documentation, the physical card, or replace the value.
Jan 7, 2020, 7:36 am
#640
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I bought a $50 GC at that same store during a layover at the hotel across the street.
But rather than stare at it, I went online and traded it in for $40 of Amazon credit. Sure, it's a reduction in the benefit value, but it's value that I'll actually use. The site I used was www.cardcash.com The Amazon value arrived as an e-code which I applied immediately to my account. I then threw away the Sak's card. No need to mail it in or wait for a physical card to arrive in trade. No, I am not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.
But rather than stare at it, I went online and traded it in for $40 of Amazon credit. Sure, it's a reduction in the benefit value, but it's value that I'll actually use. The site I used was www.cardcash.com The Amazon value arrived as an e-code which I applied immediately to my account. I then threw away the Sak's card. No need to mail it in or wait for a physical card to arrive in trade. No, I am not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.
Jan 8, 2020, 8:20 am
#641
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,675
1/4: Physical GC purchase in-store
1/7: Credited
1/7: Credited
Jan 8, 2020, 9:39 pm
#644
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: IND
Posts: 301
Jan 9, 2020, 11:33 am
#645
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I had been rummaging around in my sock drawer trying to find my certs, being concerned that there were only three? Luckily, I thought to consult this thread where I was relieved to discover that the scheme only began in July 2018.