Is the GM Card Worth It?

[motorman]

GM would never allow me to use my full amount of points on any new model corvette that came out. my wife would show them she would buy a new chevy just so she could use all the points

[gardnet1]

I have the original GM-Card which I believe is now a world card with $7000 in redemptions and the GM-Flex card with about $300 on it.

I also drive two Fords which goes to show how limiting the GM card is. The redemptions weren't enough to overcome the better value offered by Ford when I was shopping. If I were buying something to keep for over 10 years then I would lean a little more GM. Yes everything I want has the $1000 limit on it.

Maybe GM should have an "Unlimited Earnings redemption sale". I'm sure it cost them too much to do that because it would force them to fork over some doe. But they could do it for the slow sellers. Heck I might get a Silverado or Tahoe at the right price, even though they aren't on my shopping list right now.

About 85% of my purchases are made on my USAA card which gets me about $300-400 cash back every January.

[rcs08]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

Why would you use a rewards card that is so limiting? I got rid of my GM Card because of the redemption limitations. Now I use my Discover Card 100% of the time. There are no limits. If I want to save up $10,000 to use for a new car, I can. And I can use the rewards on anything, not just a GM car.

I also predominately use Discover, the only perk with the GM Family First card is when there is a promotion and they give an extra $750 . That worked out once for me timing wise.

[mpsrent]

I have a Canadian version as does my wife. We have quit using them. The benefits from other cards exceed any benefit from this card. The fact you can't combine has been a major distractor and as Ming noted, given GM's current economic environment they should be providing incentives to those of us with GM points. Instead, they are sitting back and watching card clients switch to other products.

How ironic this thread started as just today I discussed with my wife that we should get rid of these cards and find a better option.

[91 s-10baja]

???
I used it to buy my CTS in 2004 no issue whatsoever. Now as far as new incentive rates, I will agree, they are certainly on the low end. Perhaps I should shop around for a better way to stay in debt.

[BerettaZ]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

Maybe GM should have an "Unlimited Earnings redemption sale". I'm sure it cost them too much to do that because it would force them to fork over some doe. But they could do it for the slow sellers. Heck I might get a Silverado or Tahoe at the right price, even though they aren't on my shopping list right now.

I agree completely - I have about 5K in earnings - last used earnings on my 05 Sierra. I've been waiting to get some sort of top off offer that allows me to use more earnings than 1K for over a year now...if I could use the whole 5k on something, I'd be in the showroom too.

[383_torque]

I have had the original/classic GM card for over 10 years. Currently, I have over $3,200 in reward points, but those are starting to expire each month as they only use the last 7 years/84 months of earnings. Since I am not buying something right away, I have started using the American Express/Costco card that gives you 3% back on Gas. After I redeem my current reward points, I won't be using the GM Card anymore.

-Timing is everything with the GM card. It takes a long time to build up reward points and it has to coincide perfectly with your plans to purchase a NEW GM car.

-Too much waiting, I'll take the instant benefits of other cards. Also, the interest rate has never been outstanding and none of the other "Special" offers have been that special.

[ejfx]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

How about the ability to use points towards vehicle serving a the dealership? or OE parts, or certified used cars at dealerships...

ANYTHING that you can do to get a customer to your dealerships is A GOOD THING.

Right on!

It seems this card is doing more harm than good?

[regfootball]

i still have the old card, and i am close to 2k on earnings and honestly its the only reason i still put GM in the mix vs. ford when i buy a new car nowadays. i have bought 2 new cars on my gm card. if they take it away, then gm means nothing to me.

[fastball]

I've been questioning it's value myself. I have the card that has unlimited earnings, but stupidly low redemption limits. I've had my card since 2001 and have earned over $3500 on it..... what good is it if I can't use all my earned points? I'm considering canceling it, cutting it up, and getting a Speedway card so at least I'll earn points on gas. Useable points. That I can use.

Unlike that GM card.

[chevydlrmn]

Originally Posted by Ming

Is the GM Card Worth It?
www.GMInsidenews.com
Commentary by Ming

3. You Can't Combine GM Card Earnings with other offers, like the GMS discount. If you have a good discount, you may well find your card earnings piling up useless after going to the Chevy salesman and finding out that the car you want is selling for close to sticker (time to use your GMS). A car with heavy incentives on it or one that a dealer might want to get rid of (like the Uplander)
Request to GM: Raise redemption limits for all car types to levels that make me feel like going out and using them on a new GM car purchase.

Actually Uplander has no rebates aside from the 72 hour bonus cash (but dealers with them in stock want them gone). As far as GMS and Supplier, earnings can be converted to GM Extended Family Earnings that is eligible for the new vehicle purchase plan. The earnings are only 1% but you can take your pick of GMS/Supplier and the 1% or dealer invoice less 5%. If someone has alot of earnings and employee pricing, the 5% will be better.

[Member17739]

It's simple, vehicles that don't sell and higher profit vehicles will have higher redemption allowances. Is it really reasonable to expect to be able to use ~$3K toward an Aveo?

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Member17739

It's simple, vehicles that don't sell and higher profit vehicles will have higher redemption allowances. Is it really reasonable to expect to be able to use ~$3K toward an Aveo?

they would not let me use all $3600 towards my new 2005 corvette,only a $1000. after that we use our discover card and get to use all the points.

[CobaltSScrazy]

well, Ming you presented a good case. Now whats the other side of the story, why does GM do this the way they have it currently structured?
\
Other side of story please!

CobaltSS

[Member17739]

Originally Posted by motorman

they would not let me use all $3600 towards my new 2005 corvette,only a $1000. after that we use our discover card and get to use all the points.

But with your Discover card you would never have $3600 to begin with.