Update 12/1/19: Bonus is now 15,000 points
Update 10/04/18: Card now comes with a 20,000 point sign up bonus. Hat tip to reader Vista9
UMB offers the Simply Rewards Visa credit card, reader David M sent me a lot of information regarding this card so I thought I’d review it.
Contents
Card Basics
- Card earns at the following rates:
- 3x points on gas stations, grocery stores, discount stores, restaurants & fast food
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Sign up bonus of 20,000 points after $1,500 in spend within three months
- Points expire after 5 years
- Points are worth 1¢ each and can be redeemed in increments of $20, $50 & $100 for gift cards or increments of $25 for statement credit [Update: Looks like points are actually worth 1.5¢ per point]
- Bank is inquiry sensitive (more than 5-6 inquiries and you’ll be denied)
- Bank is credit score sensitive (need a score above 700)
- Card is available to those within their service area (Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas). Might be available in other areas under a different label (e.g First National Bank offers same card. This comment covers other states)
Our Verdict
There are cards that earn at a higher rate on gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases but this is a pretty decent all around card. The problem is that you can earn 2%+ back on all purchases so an additional 1% cash back on some categories with no sign up bonus is most likely not worth it for most people.
Do not apply for this card UNLESS you live in the same city as there branches. They do not consider applications baised on if you reside in a state. I live in Houston and the closest branch is in Dallas. They rejected my application with credit score 768, DTI ratio 8% and 11 years of credit history saying that i do not live close to the bank.
Be aware and apply on your own.
Any one figure out the bank to apply for this card in Florida?
The website is buggy and hard to use. Trying to redeem my points was a nightmare that entailed bouncing back and forth between the rewards people and the UMB people countless times. Would absolutely not recommend.
I have 0 inquiries in 24 mo in TU (but I have 8/3/1 in 24/12/6 mo in EX), 2 recent accounts were opened 8 mo ago, TU Fico 8 score is 735. I live in MA (it would be great if they’d pull TU). Do I have any chances to get the card?
Trying to figure out what the points are worth has been like trying to pull teeth; the rewards program itself appears to be administered by a third-party organization separate from UMB itself.
I spoke with one of the card reps today, and she transferred me over to the rewards department. The rewards rep stated one point = one cent. I think we need some clarification from someone who actually owns the card, because as stated below, there are two different portals, the DreamPoints portal where 1666 points=$25 account credit (1 point = 1.5 cents), and the one listed in the actual card program rules (1 point = 1 cent).
I have the card. It is 1 point = 1 cent.
You rock.
… and with 3X categories, I’d say this is a pretty awesome card.
Correction to what’s listed in the post: Points are worth 1.5 cents back. For statement credit, their redemption site says $25 would cost only 1666 points and $50 is 3333 points.
I have had the card for some time. My rewards requires 2500 points for $25.00 or 5000 points for $50.00 statement credits. This has always been and double checked Feb 3, 2019.
I just found out that their ‘test drive’ site shows incorrect information; I called in and was finally able to get them to navigate to that specific link… hoping that they get it cleared up to prevent people from getting overly excited about the card.
As of Dec 18, 2019 points are still valued at 1c/pt. Cashback is done either at 2,500 pts for $25 or 5,000 pts for $50.
5–6 inquiries in a CR from which agency?! I’ll definitely qualify if that’s for TU or EQ, but maybe not for EX.
Here is the list of:
Discount stores
• 99 Cents Only Stores
• Bargain Hunt
• Ben Franklin
• Bi-Mart
• Big Lots
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Burlington Coat Factory
• Costco
• Dd’s Discounts
• Dollar General
• Dollar Tree
• Family Dollar
• Five Below
• Fred’s
• Fred Meyer
• Gabriel Brothers
• Gordmans
• Harbor Freight Tools
• HomeGoods
• King’s Variety Store
• Kmart
• Magic Mart
• Marshalls
• Meijer
• National Stores
• National Wholesale Liquidators
• Ocean State Job Lot
• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
• Renys
• Roses
• Ross Stores
• Shopko
• Stein Mart
• Target
• T.J. Maxx
• Tuesday Morning
• Walmart
• Sam’s Club
Thankyou
Marshalls and TJ Maxx do NOT qualify! Just checked by myself.
Sam’s Club and Costco are counted as wholesale clubs code 5300 so per the terms they don’t quality. Bummer because that’s what I wanted to use it for.