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)
Jul 5, 2018, 1:31 pm
#61
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
Probably goes without saying but this is not a benefit on Business Plat nor personal Centurion
Jul 7, 2018, 11:35 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
So it appears the Saks credit does work on gift cards, at least if purchased in store. I bought a $50 one in store on July 1 and saw the credit post yesterday.
Jul 7, 2018, 1:19 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 373
TL;DR: 6 days from purchase at Saks until $50 credit posted.
I never set foot in a Saks before, so during a visit to Vegas I decided to check it out. I expected a premium shopping experience, instead it felt like I was in a ridiculously overpriced version of Marshalls. Bright white light, racks of discounted junk hanging everywhere. Shirts at $150 discounted down to $50, which is still about $30 too much. I have no idea who shops there, but it doesn't feel "premium" and it certainly ain't cheap.
In the end bought a shirt for $52 (after a 70% discount). Purchase was on July 1st, credit finally posted on the morning of July 7th. Right on time, so I could call Amex and cancel my Platinum account while I can still get the AF refunded.
I never set foot in a Saks before, so during a visit to Vegas I decided to check it out. I expected a premium shopping experience, instead it felt like I was in a ridiculously overpriced version of Marshalls. Bright white light, racks of discounted junk hanging everywhere. Shirts at $150 discounted down to $50, which is still about $30 too much. I have no idea who shops there, but it doesn't feel "premium" and it certainly ain't cheap.
In the end bought a shirt for $52 (after a 70% discount). Purchase was on July 1st, credit finally posted on the morning of July 7th. Right on time, so I could call Amex and cancel my Platinum account while I can still get the AF refunded.
Jul 7, 2018, 3:35 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 515
TL;DR: 6 days from purchase at Saks until $50 credit posted.
I never set foot in a Saks before, so during a visit to Vegas I decided to check it out. I expected a premium shopping experience, instead it felt like I was in a ridiculously overpriced version of Marshalls. Bright white light, racks of discounted junk hanging everywhere. Shirts at $150 discounted down to $50, which is still about $30 too much. I have no idea who shops there, but it doesn't feel "premium" and it certainly ain't cheap.
In the end bought a shirt for $52 (after a 70% discount). Purchase was on July 1st, credit finally posted on the morning of July 7th. Right on time, so I could call Amex and cancel my Platinum account while I can still get the AF refunded.
I never set foot in a Saks before, so during a visit to Vegas I decided to check it out. I expected a premium shopping experience, instead it felt like I was in a ridiculously overpriced version of Marshalls. Bright white light, racks of discounted junk hanging everywhere. Shirts at $150 discounted down to $50, which is still about $30 too much. I have no idea who shops there, but it doesn't feel "premium" and it certainly ain't cheap.
In the end bought a shirt for $52 (after a 70% discount). Purchase was on July 1st, credit finally posted on the morning of July 7th. Right on time, so I could call Amex and cancel my Platinum account while I can still get the AF refunded.
Jul 8, 2018, 9:36 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 291
I've found the quality of products at Saks varies depending on the city. In some cities they have great buys and carry great designers in addition to an extensive tailored/mtm selection and in other cities its nothing more than what you'd find at most Nordstroms or Bloomingdales. Also some cities' Nordstrom and Bloomingdales have surprisingly good buys.
Jul 9, 2018, 7:58 am
#66
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 373
I've found the quality of products at Saks varies depending on the city. In some cities they have great buys and carry great designers in addition to an extensive tailored/mtm selection and in other cities its nothing more than what you'd find at most Nordstroms or Bloomingdales. Also some cities' Nordstrom and Bloomingdales have surprisingly good buys.
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
Jul 9, 2018, 8:08 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
I don't know how a $1000 shirt can ever be a good buy:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
Anyway, some of the cologne options don't seem to be marked up too much (or at all) over places like Macy's. I found a handful of options for like $55 to $80, and that's something that I actually might use on a regular basis and would last awhile. If I end up spending ~$20 or something vs $70 at Macy's then it's a worth while deal.
Jul 9, 2018, 1:19 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I don't know how a $1000 shirt can ever be a good buy:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
And, for the types of people buying $1,000 t-shirts...are they really shopping at Saks? I'd think they have actual personal shoppers or are visiting the actual designer stores, not the crappy subset inventory of a mall department store.
Then again, that's a world I have no clue about.
Jul 9, 2018, 3:49 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,843
I don't know how a $1000 shirt can ever be a good buy:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
Made in Italy. No wonder our trade deficit is so large if “we” buy $1250 t-shirt’s from the EU
I got my $15 t-shirt from Saks the other day. Hate it. Weird material. Will get donated with its tags still attached. :/
Jul 9, 2018, 5:24 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
They're certainly keeping a lot of something in a bank vault somewhere...along with Gucci and whoever else.
A bit OT, but I got a chance to go up to Bicester Village (high end outlet mall) outside London recently. The "sale" price for a pair of shoes at Prada was still 700 GBP. Judging by the bags walking back to the train, there's a good market for this stuff I guess. Fun people watching. I did succumb to buying a Burberry scarf for about 60% off MSRP, which made it essentially a fair price but with a fancy tag on it. Admittedly, part of that expense was to collect brownie points with Mrs. Lee, but when I got home she tossed the scarf aside as she was more excited about the sack full of Quavers I brought back. Good reminder of why we're married.
A bit OT, but I got a chance to go up to Bicester Village (high end outlet mall) outside London recently. The "sale" price for a pair of shoes at Prada was still 700 GBP. Judging by the bags walking back to the train, there's a good market for this stuff I guess. Fun people watching. I did succumb to buying a Burberry scarf for about 60% off MSRP, which made it essentially a fair price but with a fancy tag on it. Admittedly, part of that expense was to collect brownie points with Mrs. Lee, but when I got home she tossed the scarf aside as she was more excited about the sack full of Quavers I brought back. Good reminder of why we're married.
Jul 9, 2018, 9:32 pm
#71
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 291
I don't know how a $1000 shirt can ever be a good buy:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
If people are just looking for ways to blow the Saks credit I'd suggest picking up a candle or diffuser from the home fragrance section and use them as gifts.
Jul 9, 2018, 10:26 pm
#72
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 26
I don't know how a $1000 shirt can ever be a good buy:
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Men/...o?Ne=399545537
Jul 9, 2018, 10:30 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 26
I’ll be purchasing a couple makeup items. Most of the higher end brands are rarely discounted and there’s a couple products that I use...so...score!
Jul 10, 2018, 7:34 am
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Saks charge posted on the Ameriprise Plat on 6 July; credit posted on 9 July.
Jul 11, 2018, 1:24 am
#75
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NCE, MCM
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 167
^ same for me on my MB plat -- saks charge posted 7/6 and credit on 7/9