SDM Optimum Point Program - Optimizing

[mcminsen]

Were they not also giving regular points too with the offer?

Yes, there were regular points awarded, too. I thought Destiny9 was thinking that they could've gotten closer to Plus status by getting the bonus points associated with the Amex gift card deal.

[Zonny]

I bought YRT transit ticket today at SDM and tried to use my GC bought previously, the cashier told me either cash or debit only. I tried to tell her that the SDM GC says to treat it as cash, she just brush it off and say "I know, but the mgmt just doesn't allow for transit tickets". I had no choice but to use debit..

I've had them try this on me in Hfx too. When they said I couldn't use it on my bus passes, I told them that I'd been doing it this way for several years, and asked what had changed since this time last month. They gave in after a bit.

Z

[siobat]

The other day I bought a SDM GC, and used it a few days later to buy a Starbucks one - I wanted to see if it would work.

I got SDM points on the original SDM GC purchase, but no points on the second purchase even though my card was scanned.

[mcminsen]

The other day I bought a SDM GC, and used it a few days later to buy a Starbucks one - I wanted to see if it would work.

I got SDM points on the original SDM GC purchase, but no points on the second purchase even though my card was scanned.

That's the way it usually is. Regular points on the purchase of the SDM gift card but no points on the purchase of any other retailer gift card. Occasionally there will be a promo event that gives points on some other cards (like the recent AMEX gift card bonus points event).

If you use a Shoppers Optimum Mastercard to pay for the SDM gift cards then you can get even more points!

[Insane]

Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but just to let you know.....

I recently redeemed points for a $200 camcorder at SDM. I redeemed 75,000 points for $150 off. I ended up taking it back the next day (just change my mind). I figured I would get back my points, but they can't do that. So the girl gave me cash back!.

It was kind of nice to get the money as opposed to the points!

Just an FYI! They also may give gift cards instead of cash back.

My shoppers put the points back on. I redeemed during bonus points, but they messed up. I had to return and repurchase and they put the points back on so I could re-redeem again!

[Rokkett]

Awesome thread - I've learned so much!

Thanks, everyone, for all the info... OPs are a lot more confusing than I originally thought (got some great tips now, though!).

One (extra) complaint re: AMEX gift cards: someone already mentioned how fewer merchants take AMEX (their merch. fees are a lot higher). I've also had a lot of trouble using it online (haven't been able to, yet! - apparently because there's no address associated with the card... found that out after I bought it).

Also, I used $20 from a $100 AMEX GC to top up my gas tank at the pump... the card is now overdrawn - and will remain this way for 7 days. So if you have one, don't use it at the pump!! "Pre-authorization", they say. I called customer service, but apparently it takes 7 days for AMEX to process the payment.

Lesson learned: next time, I'll stick to bonus points generated from less pain-in-the-a$$ items than an AMEX GC!

(sorry... rant over... the whole experience just ticked me off, and wasn't worth it, in my books!)

Blargh!!

[Cheesecake]

Oh, that is really frustrating Rokkett!!

[Insane]

Awesome thread - I've learned so much!

Thanks, everyone, for all the info... OPs are a lot more confusing than I originally thought (got some great tips now, though!).

One (extra) complaint re: AMEX gift cards: someone already mentioned how fewer merchants take AMEX (their merch. fees are a lot higher). I've also had a lot of trouble using it online (haven't been able to, yet! - apparently because there's no address associated with the card... found that out after I bought it).

Also, I used $20 from a $100 AMEX GC to top up my gas tank at the pump... the card is now overdrawn - and will remain this way for 7 days. So if you have one, don't use it at the pump!! "Pre-authorization", they say. I called customer service, but apparently it takes 7 days for AMEX to process the payment.

Lesson learned: next time, I'll stick to bonus points generated from less pain-in-the-a$$ items than an AMEX GC!

(sorry... rant over... the whole experience just ticked me off, and wasn't worth it, in my books!)

Blargh!!

I used mine on gas with no problems. But it could be that you can't pay at the pump up here, so I had to go in and pay. Maybe you could try that next time.

[Justine]

Alright optimum kings and queens, I need your help with something.

I want to buy the deluxe perfume sampler at SDM, it's $95. I want to get it this week during the 20x points if you spend $100 on cosmetics, perfumes etc. How many points do you get base for this purchase? and how many with the promo? plus how much do I actually have spend, $100 before or after tax?

Thanks for the help.

[swallow_046]

Alright optimum kings and queens, I need your help with something.

I want to buy the deluxe perfume sampler at SDM, it's $95. I want to get it this week during the 20x points if you spend $100 on cosmetics, perfumes etc. How many points do you get base for this purchase? and how many with the promo? plus how much do I actually have spend, $100 before or after tax?

Thanks for the help.

for 100 you usually get 1000 point and for this promotion if you spend 100 before tax, you would get 20,000 points

[Justine]

Cool thanks.

I still have to see how big the samples are and if it's worth paying $95 for it.

[Cheesecake]

You have to spend $100 before tax.

If you use an Optimum Mastercard you will get 1500 extra bonus points (15 bonus points for each dollar)

[lalita1985]

Thanks for all the tips!! I went to buy a GC at SDM for my sister for her birthday and I handed over my optimum card and the cashier didn't swipe it. I asked her why and she said you don't get points on GC...thanks to this thread I knew otherwise and asked her to swipe it anyways!!

[BargainHuntingTeacher]

Thanks for all the tips!! I went to buy a GC at SDM for my sister for her birthday and I handed over my optimum card and the cashier didn't swipe it. I asked her why and she said you don't get points on GC...thanks to this thread I knew otherwise and asked her to swipe it anyways!!

I've had the same thing happen to me each time I've bought a giftcard recently as I try to reach Plus status (750 away! woohoo!).

The last time the cashier started to ask for my optimum card and then said, "nevermind, you don't get points with giftcards" so I told her that yes, you actually do with SDM cards.

"How do you know that? Do you work for us or something?" (said with a unfriendly look on her face)

"No, I go on a savings forum where this has been discussed"

Then I told her about how to spend less and reach Plus status with "double dipping".

In the end she swiped my card, confirmed that I got points for the GC and thanked me for teaching HER something about SDM!

[Cheesecake]

I always hand them my card first before I tell them what I'm buying. That way it's swiped right away.