Ebates/Rakuten just sent out an email to cardholders of the Rakuten credit card that the card will only earn 1% at Giftcardmall, Giftcards.com and Raise.com.
Starting February 15, 2020, Rakuten Cash Back Visa® Credit Card purchases made through Rakuten on GiftCardMall.com, GiftCards.com and Raise.com will be eligible for 1% Cash Back instead of an extra 3% Cash Back.
Due to circumstances unique to the retail card business, Rakuten is no longer able to offer an extra 3% Cash Back for purchases from these stores.
All other benefits remain the same. You’ll continue to earn an extra 3% Cash Back on qualifying purchases made through Rakuten.com, In-Store Cash Back offers, Rakuten Hotels and Rakuten travel.
The card earns 3% when shopping through the portal, on top of regular portal earnings, and it can even be Membership Rewards points if you have that version. But beginning 2/15, the card will only earn 1% at these gift card sellers.
The 3% angle isn’t that huge since there are various other 2-3% cards available. It hits home more for those who use this to earn Membership Rewards; the best alternative would be Blue Business Plus at 2x on up to $50,000 in purchases per year.
Thanks to Tom and Grant for sending this in
Are you sure this isn’t targeted? Maybe some people that overdid it got blocked? I have the card and didn’t get the email
I figured gcm/gcc but raise shocked me
*sigh* – and I just got this card 2 weeks ago….
I disagree. This is a big hit for msers. So easy to MS this from home. Only limit was the credit limit and time it took to post payments. I am not aware of any easier ms than charging and paying all form home. The blue business is better used where you can not get any additional points and its limited to 50k per year. I am surprise the 3% card lasted this long.
Ya I’m surprised it lasted this long as well. Def wasn’t sustainable for them. If we use the Amex blue biz wonder if Amex would shut you down for buying gift cards? Amex hates MS.. What’s your guys thoughts??
I can’t remember if the terms say “no giftcards will be awarded points” I need to double check that
I have had no issue. GC.com even has an Amex quick checkout option so you don’t even have to give them your card info. I only use it for spending thresholds but have had no issue as recently as December.
Is spending thresholds the same as minimum spend?
My Ebates/Rakuten card is constantly and consistently SOCK DRAWER. Synchrony does not have frequent promotions on this card for everyday utility.
This is a killer. Knew it wouldn’t last forever, but damn.
I was thinking of signing up just for the GCs points but I guess they made it easier for me to decide not to.
This is the perfect gift for your Valentine this year…it even expires on the 15th.
actually a big hit for heavy hitters. 4% cash back is 1% more then the portals with the 2% cards. I guess their biz model is showing losses. Lasted a while tho.
This blows. We have until the 15th, remember to pay your bill with debit card and then they release the available credit immediately instead of waiting a week.
How do you use a debit card, by phone? I see no such option on the site.
Just did it over the phone but the payment didn’t post yet.
Dam never knew you could pay over the phone with debit to release credit kin faster. I’ve been doing this method for a strong 8 months and never fing knew that lol. Dam.. Ha…
I want to max out 1 or 2 more times.
So I just call and give them my debit card for payment?
Use the automated phone payment system, the part where the ‘robot’ says ‘we cannot take credit card, but we can take debit card.’
yeah but will they process the charge before the 15th and award the 3% or did they send it out today knowing that they wouldn’t so they would only have to award 1%? Im skeptical about making an order right now…
they usually post pretty quickly; I’m maxing it out one more time