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)
May 15, 2021, 4:47 pm
#961
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
We use this thread for sharing actual experiences on how this benefit worked. Sometimes there's no conflict with the written terms, other times there may be differences. You've asked a blunt question several times, and got no certainty out of the process. Perhaps that approach was not most productive. I suggest you read actual posts here, and see if that will help with your decision.
May 15, 2021, 5:53 pm
#962
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,901
It works in store despite the terms. Sometimes we get lucky this way.
May 15, 2021, 6:06 pm
#963
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: miamiparis
Posts: 9
This thread has many posts and I had difficulty finding the response to my question, but you gave it to me, thank you very much.
May 15, 2021, 6:22 pm
#964
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,915
Sometimes it helps to read the last couple pages of a thread. e.g. there were 4 reports of actual real-world data points in the 15 most recent posts before yours.
May 15, 2021, 6:34 pm
#965
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: miamiparis
Posts: 9
I see now, you're right, sometimes I read in a hurry and I miss things
May 15, 2021, 6:37 pm
#966
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
You might reduce the number of posts to read by using the Search this Thread tool with the keyword: "gift card"
May 18, 2021, 9:41 pm
#968
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
I’ve had a really frustrating experience with Saks customer service. My package was never delivered for an order I placed back in February, and I still haven’t been able to get a refund. I had to file a claim with FedEx, and three times I’ve called and they said I would receive a refund in 10-15 business days. At this point I’m thinking I should just file a chargeback. Honestly I don’t even really care about the money, but it’s pissed me off enough to stick with it.
I mostly shop online at Amazon, and the customer service experience at Saks is just so much worse, it’s really surprising to me, I would have guessed that an expensive store like this would have great service.
I mostly shop online at Amazon, and the customer service experience at Saks is just so much worse, it’s really surprising to me, I would have guessed that an expensive store like this would have great service.
Last edited by AAdamE; May 18, 2021 at 9:42 pm Reason: Typo
May 19, 2021, 1:58 pm
#969
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Can we still use the Saks benefit to purchase Saks gift cards? I just looked at the T's and C's and see this...
Valid at Saks Fifth Avenue online or at locations in the US and US Territories. Not valid on Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Cards or purchases at Saks OFF Fifth outlet locations (in stores and online).
Is that new or am I misinterpreting?
Valid at Saks Fifth Avenue online or at locations in the US and US Territories. Not valid on Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Cards or purchases at Saks OFF Fifth outlet locations (in stores and online).
Is that new or am I misinterpreting?
May 19, 2021, 2:39 pm
#970
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
May 19, 2021, 3:41 pm
#971
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 1,932
Amex will probably ask you if you’ve contacted the merchant and what they said, and will thus ask you to wait the 10-15 days. Definitely dispute on day 15. And I agree with you, Saks is a joke of a “luxury” retailer. I went to buy a candle in store at the Tom Ford counter and they tried to sell me on their new store card that is a world elite MasterCard with no AF that included “Airport Priority and lounge access” I read the pamphlet and said hey man, this for sure does not offer any of that and you get a phone concierge. He said his boss said it did. Like how deceiving…..
May 27, 2021, 6:29 pm
#972
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,937
Just a data point: used plat to purchase $50 GC at a Saks store location a few days ago. Credit posted 3 days later.
May 28, 2021, 6:06 pm
#974
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
And the $250 version worked for me recently. Thanks.
May 29, 2021, 7:20 am
#975
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: miamiparis
Posts: 9
What is this $250 version?