Any good benefits to getting BMW's credit card?

[John 070]

The simplest way to put it is use a rewards card when you don't carry a balance (never carry a balance on a cc). Use the rewards card that actually gives you cash, not something you don't need, like a gift certificate or BMW.

Again, I suspect people like the roundel on their cc and flashing it. Because of that, they don't scrutinize the rewards schedule. 1% CASH (a true cash back, not some bogus tiered system) is better than 5% towards a toaster, or BMW. I'm simply astounded when someone says they send 20 grand through a BMW credit card. Amex and Citi have cards that will do a businessman much better. But it's a free market and that roundel is worth gold.

[norcalEastbay328i]

i do have a e92 leased but i didnt get the card? is it too late to apply?

[imolazhp_ci]

no you can get it whenever... they give you really high limits too.... my starting limit was $10,250.

[norcalEastbay328i]

see i leased a e92 a month and half ago i barley got it from bmw credit. my credit isnt that good u think im still good to get it?

[imolazhp_ci]

i don't know... my credit wasn't great when i got, if i remember correctly at the time, my score was about 675-680'ish? did you get your car from BMW of Concord? i just picked up my M Coupe there, my salesman was amazing, FAR superior to anything in SoCal.

[AcmeExplosives]

If you're looking to save some dough on your next BMW purchase, join BMWCCA. A member in good standing for two years prior to a purchase used to get $2500 off the final number. From what I was told in July...BMW USA dialed that number down to like, $1500 now. Still...better than nothing. And......no interest rates to deal with. Just a $30+/year membership fee. http://www.bmwcca.org/

Hell, Roundel magazine is almost worth that annual rate by itself, if you ask me.

[Revlis]

Well it has the Roundel on it... For many that right there means it's better.

[OnlyTruth]

I used the card on all possible expenses for somewhat 1-2 years, accumulated 12,500 points. Once in service got a bill for $50.00 and decided to use my points. Had to call the rewards line and a $100 check was issued to dealers names (ONLY) and was sent to me via regular mail, Express mail was extra $15-20. Note, they issue checks only in $100 increments for every 10,000 points so remaininng points get wasted unless you keep accumulating. Also the check can be issued to a dealers name only and only ONCE so you can use it only in one dealership and it cannot be re-issued even if you cancel. You have to plan this ahead what dealership you are going to. Once 10,000 are used to issue a check you cannot reverse the transaction!

So I had to pay the bill out of pocket and then BEG for reimbursement, numerous calls an emails, finally got the check from dealer for $100 next time I went for service. Overall experience is a nightmare, not willing to do that again. Use Amex or Discover and get a real automatic rebate on your account every year.

[drbimmer97]

from personal experience....an absolutely waste....

i just called today to redeem points to buy some stuff from the bmw-online.com website (since that's the only website you can use it on). you get $1 back for each $1000 spent (0.1%) so i redeemed $200 for spending $20,000 using it....i'm switching to Capital One !!!

[imolazhp_ci]

Originally Posted by drbimmer97

from personal experience....an absolutely waste....

i just called today to redeem points to buy some stuff from the bmw-online.com website (since that's the only website you can use it on). you get $1 back for each $1000 spent (0.1%) so i redeemed $200 for spending $20,000 using it....i'm switching to Capital One !!!

good luck with that. capital one is the worst credit card company in the world. terrible interest rates and terrible rewards and the worst customer service ever.

[bimmin]

No ones mentioned you can use points for hotel stays, spas, flights or at a bunch or retailers. It also offers auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance and road side assistance. I think the point system sucks though. My citi card gives me 1% and 3% (depending on where) for every $1. It used to be 5% instead of 3, but they changed it, but added more places you get 3%. (gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies). They also offer the 3% during the holiday season at retailers. Much better.

[OC Guy]

PM Mantis, he has one.

[joebaggg]

i have the card... it stays in my car for emergencies... so far never used it. at 23% and no perks why the hell would i? AMEX paid for 3 vacations (2-florida, 1- los angeles) and countless $150+ dinners for 2 so far. all for basically using their card. and oh yea.... 0% if u pay by 30 days cant beat it

[Cookiemonster]

Originally Posted by joebaggg

i have the card... it stays in my car for emergencies... so far never used it. at 23% and no perks why the hell would i? AMEX paid for 3 vacations (2-florida, 1- los angeles) and countless $150+ dinners for 2 so far. all for basically using their card. and oh yea.... 0% if u pay by 30 days cant beat it

The BMW card has a 22 day grace period....so if you pay the balance its 0%.

My rate is around 14% which is not to bad...I never carry a balance so it really not a huge deal.

Amex has a fee of something like 100 dollars a year for "Membership" also not accepted everywhere like Visa or M/C.....Same with Discover card not accepted everywhere.

I could care less what anybody thinks when they see the "BMW" on my card. If I cared I don't think driving a BMW would be any better.

[joebaggg]

didnt know about the grace period. and ur right some places dont take amex. i do have a visa and a mastercard as well that are better than my bmw card at 14 and 16 %. i only pay 60 a year for my amex, well worth it if you consider all the free shit i get from them.

ADD: if i remember correctly the dealership gave me an incentive to sign up with the card. i dont remember what it was tho :/

[epbrown]

IIRC, don't you get double points or something for car-related charges like gas and dealer service visits?

Whoops, I checked the website I referenced earlier - you get double points for gasoline purchases.

[imolazhp_ci]

Originally Posted by epbrown

IIRC, don't you get double points or something for car-related charges like gas and dealer service visits?

yeah... gas, grocery store, post office, and anything at a BMW dealer... I put the down payment on my M Coupe on it and sent a check in same day just to get the points.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by imolazhp_ci

good luck with that. capital one is the worst credit card company in the world. terrible interest rates and terrible rewards and the worst customer service ever.

I would have to disagree. They were able to lower my rate, and they have given me great customer service.