Additional information can be found here.
Background
Blast from the past. In September 2015, Discover launched a promotion to get 10% back on all Apple Pay purchases, up to $10,000 in purchases ($1k cashback). This would also be doubled for those who were in the Discover Match program, and most of us were eligible then for the Match.
After Discover realized that anyone can buy $10k in Visa gift cards with Apple Pay and get $1k/2k cashback, they went into damage control and sent out emails that no gift cards would earn the 10% cash back. Even third party gift cards would not be eligible.
This limitation was enforced to an extent; they sent out emails to many people invalidating select purchases from 10% rewards, barring proof that the purchase was not a gift card.
News
Just a few minutes ago, many, many Discover cardholders just got a peculiar email from Discover about the Apply Pay promotion:
Thank you for enrolling on September 19, 2015 in our promotional offer of 10% Cashback Bonus® on up to $10,000 in Discover® card purchases made with Discover card in Apple Pay from September 16, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Based on an internal review, we have decided to award you additional Cashback Bonus related to this promotion. It will appear on your statement within the next two billing cycles. Thank you for choosing Discover and enjoy your Cashback Bonus.
Sincerely, Discover Card Customer Service
It would appear that they are sending these emails to those who made gift card purchases, and they have now decided to pay up the 10% on those purchases. The cash back will appear within two business cycles.
Pretty weird they send out an email without explaining what it’s about. It’s possible that this is some glitch email. Time will tell.
Interestingly, just over a year ago there was a similar email sent out to some, but I think this one is being sent out more broadly than the last.
