GM Card / GM Options

[themoon]

I haven't purchased a GM product in many years. My ex-husband was a Chrysler fan and I had to choose my battles. Now that I am divorced, I wanted to purchase another GM product using the GM Card points that I have accumulated. I have had my GM Card for about 15-20 years, so I have been loyal to GM how I have been able.

I tried to purchase a GM car by using my GM Card points ($2100) and encountered several CUSTOMER SERVICE issues that do not promote the GM Card OR GM products. 1) The points drop off. They don't have a problem charging me the interest fees, but will take away points. 2) It is not available on all GM products - the Saturn is omitted as well as others that were out of my price range. 3) Of the $2100 points, I was only allowed to use $1000 of them toward the purchase of the car I selected (the Vibe).

That isn't enough to keep me limited to a GM product or keep my loyalty to the GM Card. I will be going elsewhere for both companies business and have already spoke of my experience to others in search of a vehicle and a credit card.

[televisiontim]

Saturn has never been an option to use since day one (1992 I believe), and I think that the money earned was good one for 7 years back then also. So when you first received your card you should have known this information. I am not saying I like it but you can't really complain to much about it. You do have a point about the amount you can use toward any specific vehicle. This changed a few years ago and yes it sucks that you can only use a specified amount toward a specific vehicle. That is one reason I stopped using my GM, the other is that I like using my debit card. There are other cards with better rewards, for example cards that gives airline miles. If you are going to buy the car anyway take whatever discount you get and dump the card for a better one.

[shadams]

So basically what your saying is that you signed up for a card without reading the terms, then when it came time to redeem your earnings your mad because said terms apply? And now because of your mistake you are not going to buy a GM product? So you are going around complaining to others about how you got the shaft? Hmm, I hope I am just reading it wrong........

[Opusnbill7]

1 post..? *sniff* I smell a troll...

[F14CRAZY]

Saturn may not have existed when this person got this card

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

Saturn may not have existed when this person got this card

I don't know if that's true, but GM did change the rules on this cards mid stream, if she didn't read the fine print with her statements she would have been in for a surprise.

When I got my GM card some 14 years ago (1993), shortly after I bought my Allante, the rule was that you could save unlimited points towards the purchase of a new car... The points never expired and were based on 5% of your purchases (you got double or more points if you bought GM parts with it or used it at GM "sister" companies). I got a whack of points when I bought my wife's engagement ring and booked the Honeymoon. Shorty after the Honeymoon, the Honeymoon ended, and GM changed the rules...

They introduced a max cap and the points "leaked away" every year... Darn bean counters. Also at that time I entered a stage of my life when my employer would buy me a new company car (mostly GM) every few years so the points didn't matter.

I still carry the GM card, but I no longer use it.. I get air-miles instead...
For me the cap and loss of points is no big deal, I just like carrying the card.
I would add basing your car purchase on some decision made by some bean counter almost 10 years ago is a little odd.

Let me know if you have anymore luck then me getting air-miles redeemed! :lol:

BTW GM never made a penny off of me on the car anyway... I pay off credit cards religiously every month.

[onstar]

Originally Posted by themoon

I haven't purchased a GM product in many years. My ex-husband was a Chrysler fan and I had to choose my battles. Now that I am divorced, I wanted to purchase another GM product using the GM Card points that I have accumulated. I have had my GM Card for about 15-20 years, so I have been loyal to GM how I have been able.

I tried to purchase a GM car by using my GM Card points ($2100) and encountered several CUSTOMER SERVICE issues that do not promote the GM Card OR GM products. 1) The points drop off. They don't have a problem charging me the interest fees, but will take away points. 2) It is not available on all GM products - the Saturn is omitted as well as others that were out of my price range. 3) Of the $2100 points, I was only allowed to use $1000 of them toward the purchase of the car I selected (the Vibe).

That isn't enough to keep me limited to a GM product or keep my loyalty to the GM Card. I will be going elsewhere for both companies business and have already spoke of my experience to others in search of a vehicle and a credit card.

it doesnt work for saturn or saab. The max is 7years, from the time you get your card taht you can accumulate points. So if its within that 7 year period it's good. If they are saying that the dealers dont particpate in the programs they are lying to you. You are a women after all. Check your source.

Also, dont tell them that you have the card. Instead bargin with them to the price you want, then when it come time to pay show them your GMcard.

[ksr]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

I don't know if that's true, but GM did change the rules on this cards mid stream, if she didn't read the fine print with her statements she would have been in for a surprise.

When I got my GM card some 14 years ago (1993), shortly after I bought my Allante, the rule was that you could save unlimited points towards the purchase of a new car... The points never expired and were based on 5% of your purchases (you got double or more points if you bought GM parts with it or used it at GM "sister" companies). I got a whack of points when I bought my wife's engagement ring and booked the Honeymoon. Shorty after the Honeymoon, the Honeymoon ended, and GM changed the rules...

They introduced a max cap and the points "leaked away" every year... Darn bean counters. Also at that time I entered a stage of my life when my employer would buy me a new company car (mostly GM) every few years so the points didn't matter.

I still carry the GM card, but I no longer use it.. I get air-miles instead...
For me the cap and loss of points is no big deal, I just like carrying the card.
I would add basing your car purchase on some decision made by some bean counter almost 10 years ago is a little odd.

Let me know if you have anymore luck then me getting air-miles redeemed! :lol:

BTW GM never made a penny off of me on the car anyway... I pay off credit cards religiously every month.

I never pay the ridiculous interest rate on my GM card by keeping it paid off every month too.

The terms were written when this person got the card. I've had one since they started in '92. Saturn was never included. The earnings always dropped off after seven years.

They did change the rules a few years ago. Now you don't have the $500 annual cap, but you only get 1% on each purchase. There are also redemption limits per vehicle.

However...

You didn't have to "upgrade" to the new card and rules. I stayed on the old card. I still can earn only $500 a year, but all of it is usable on any vehicle.

Since 1992, I've saved around $5500 combined on the purchases of four GM cars.

[ksr]

Originally Posted by themoon

I haven't purchased a GM product in many years. My ex-husband was a Chrysler fan and I had to choose my battles. Now that I am divorced, I wanted to purchase another GM product using the GM Card points that I have accumulated. I have had my GM Card for about 15-20 years, so I have been loyal to GM how I have been able.

I tried to purchase a GM car by using my GM Card points ($2100) and encountered several CUSTOMER SERVICE issues that do not promote the GM Card OR GM products. 1) The points drop off. They don't have a problem charging me the interest fees, but will take away points. 2) It is not available on all GM products - the Saturn is omitted as well as others that were out of my price range. 3) Of the $2100 points, I was only allowed to use $1000 of them toward the purchase of the car I selected (the Vibe).

That isn't enough to keep me limited to a GM product or keep my loyalty to the GM Card. I will be going elsewhere for both companies business and have already spoke of my experience to others in search of a vehicle and a credit card.

The card has only been around for 15 years.

GM isn't charging interest rates. HSBC bank is.

[page2171]

After keeping my GM card for about 9 years I finally cut it up. I originally got it with the intention of using it to buy a new GM car, but after three car purchases realized that I probably won't be getting a new car any time soon. So I switched to another card that gives me cash back then I put the cash that I earn into a savings account (at ING so it earns a decent amount of interest) that I have dedicated to saving for our next car. This way I am not locked into a new car or even a GM car for that matter, even though I will most likely be buying a GM car next.

[smith7629]

Over the past 10 years, I've been able to redeem 100% of my earned points on the following new vehicles:
1997 Buick Regal GS
1998 Silverado 4x4 ext cab z71
2000 Silverado 4x4 ext cab z71
2003 Tahoe
2004 Cadillac CTS
2006 Suburban Z71
2007 Aveo

Sorry you had problems, but I think the card is a terrific deal.

[shadams]

My grandmother just bought an Acadia and used her GM card. Initially they told her she could only use $1000 toward it, but ended up not buying it for other reasons. 2 months later when she finally got it, they applied all $2050 she had on there toward it. I dont know if something changed, or if they f'd up, but I pray every day that they dont call me or her up to tell her they need their $1050 dollars back, although I am more then sure my G-ma will tell them where to find it.

[ZQ8]

I have saved over $13,000 (U.S.) since 1992 with my GM Card !

[jfnz24]

Originally Posted by shadams

My grandmother just bought an Acadia and used her GM card. Initially they told her she could only use $1000 toward it, but ended up not buying it for other reasons. 2 months later when she finally got it, they applied all $2050 she had on there toward it. I dont know if something changed, or if they f'd up, but I pray every day that they dont call me or her up to tell her they need their $1050 dollars back, although I am more then sure my G-ma will tell them where to find it.

I would think if it was an error that it would have been caught by now. Of course, I guess you never know though.

[paul8488]

I've used it several times as well, and always found it to be a good deal. Even if there are limits, saving even 1000 bucks off a new car sounds like a good idea to me.

I've got almost $2000... can't wait to get home and buy a new GM! Hope the Solstice limit is $3000!