Perhaps it’s always been this way, but as the terms have recently been updated, I read the current agreement I have for my Open Road Discover Card. Except for 5% back on the first $100 of gas every month, it sucks:
You will earn up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all other purchases, including G&A purchases in excess of your first $100 each billing period.You will earn up to 1% Cashback Bonus on ShopDiscover purchases, unless otherwise specified on ShopDiscover. At the end of each billing period, we calculate your Cashback Bonus by multiplying the total amount you spent on all other purchases by the following:
1% @ $3,000+ (unlimited)
0.50% (.0050) @ $1,500 - $2,999
0.25% (.0025) @ $0 - $1,499
Looks like I’ll be using my Chase Cash Plus card for all purchases except gas from now on. I used to let a few slide onto my Discover, but never again.
Update, March 2nd. Been trying to activate my replacement card for a few weeks now. Have to hold or line is busy whenever I attempt it. I just activated my Chase card in about 60 seconds, by contrast. About ready to simply stop using my Discover card.
Hilarious. So, the solution was to call the regular CSR phone number, then pick the card activation option. Afterwards, it simply asked for the card revision number on the back. That’s some screwed up nonsense going on at Discover.
Update, June 2nd. Apparently you can no longer redeem cash in increments of $20. A minimum balance of $50 must be accumulated before you can get at your cash back bonus as, you know, actual cash.
I no longer use my Discover card. It’s all Chase for me.
Update, September 22nd. Discover has changed the terms. It’s now only 2% CB on gas, but up to $250 instead of 5% at $100, starting in January, 2010. Again, I no longer use this card. The terms have gotten progressively worse.
5 Comments
You are going from the frying pan into the fire. I’m no fan of Discover, but they are angels compared to Chase. Good luck to you, and make sure you read the fine print EVERY month
Beware of Discover Card. I got one of those introductory rates for 0% interest for 1 year. About two weeks ago, I notice that they started charging me interest. This was only 7 months into my no interest period. I called and asked what was going on, they said the computer said it was only for 7 months. The problem is now I can’t find my original application. So as John in Salt Lake city said, we have to go by what the computer says. Word of advice keep ALL your documentation or Discover will try and bait and switch you.
They’re far from angels…..all they care about is money. Ever since they increased their APR and decreased their credit limit to cause over the limit charges and late charges on several customers. I’ve been with them for seven years and would not recommend them to anyone.
Another thing to watch for from the thieves at Discover card is getting your bill by email only. If Discover card jacks up your interest rate and you go online and try to see what it was in previous months you won’t be able to see your previous rate. It will show the new jacked up rate even if you are looking at your statement online from six months ago. No paper bill, no proof of previous rate. A VERY dishonest practice.
I requested a replacement card from Discover and called to activate. They could not eplain how answering questions of “publicly available information” about me help in protecting me or them from fraud. I refused to answer the question and instead just continue to use my old card. The next day when I used my old card it was denied. I called and was told that my acount was suspended. I confirmed that I corrected read that requesting a replacement card does not deactivate an old card. I confirmed that that my account was in good standing, paid in full, and always paid in full and on time for over 10 years. And still they wanted me to now answer questions to continue using my old card (forget about the new one). I changed all ten of my recurring charges at various vendors over to my Amex card. F Discover!