the GM card

THE BIGPUNN · January 1, 2003

thinking about getting a GM card. you get 5% back on purchases and can use the total cash back on the purchase of most GM vehicles. anyone with advice about the GM card good or bad.

elboberino · January 1, 2003

I've been using the card for a few years now and have no complaints. In fact, it helped to pay for a portion of my truck (about $1,500). It also has a nice GM logo on it :thumb: . If only they made one with a Chevy logo on it.....

Bob

miclri · January 1, 2003

If you plan to purchase a GM vehicle, then yes get the card. The benefits aren't as good as they once were, but they're still better than a poke in the eye.

I have a black card and it's good for 5% up to $500/year. I have used it exclusively and cashed in on earnings of $3600 ($1600 on wife's 99 Silhouette). Plus when I bought my truck on 12/12/02 they kicked in an extra $500 bucks (for a total of $2500). I can apply these earnings on top of my GMS pricing.

A couple of years ago they tried to "trick" me into "upgrading" to a gold card. The deal wasn't so sweet. I didn't bite.

Now they are forcing a change in July '03. I admit some confusion here, but this is my understanding: If I want to take advantage of my GMS pricing, I will receive 2%. Worse they were going to away 60% of any of my accrued earnings (which is one reason I bought my truck now).

With the new card, there is a per vehicle allowance. In the case of my Sierra, the allowance would be $1500.

So the new GM Card isn't quite the bargain it once was but still worth keeping.

MarkD · January 1, 2003

I used one for about 8 months, and it saved me $928 on my '02.

Shaners · January 1, 2003

They aren't as good as they used to be... I too kept my "Black" card instead of the upgrade (so they tried to tell me).

Anyhow, every little bit off the price of a new vehicle is a "Good" thing. Also you do not have to reveal your card credits until after the final deal is made...

SilveradoWV · January 1, 2003

I dont have one, but I dont guess its too bad of a deal. I am sure there are a few cards out there with a lot less of an APR but hey, they dont save you some cash on a new vehicle!

Elwood · January 1, 2003

My parents have one. They use it all the time. Only thing I didn't like about it is that it has to be used on a NEW vehicle, you can't buy a used GM vehicle with it. I just thoght that if the vehicle was only a year old and had very low mileage it shouldn't matter as long as it is a GM vehicle from a GM car lot. But oh well. It does save you alot on a new one.

They use it for all our race tickets and then pay it off as soon as it comes in. They do that with alot of other stuff too. This earns cash towards the new vehicle, but avoids the high intrest.

Likarok · January 1, 2003

I have had one from the very start.(early 90's ?). On my last statement it says I have saved (redeemed)$4105.85 on GM "stuff". That is pretty good I would say.

Earlier this year they were saying that they were going to change the payback to 3% with no annuall limit. Now they have changed it to if you are one of the early card holders you will stay the old way- 5%/$500.00 per year and only new card holders will get the new payback.

I don't know if this is good or bad. I have my yearly $500.00 limit used up generally half way through the year. Remember this is in Canada.

ricsch · January 1, 2003

I have a GM card, but found out with the purchase of my current truck that the earnings cannot be used along with a GM Supplier Discount for a vehicle purchase. Anyone know how else the earnings can be used?

WEFs99 · January 1, 2003

I've also had the card since the beginning. It saved me almost $7k on 3 purchases. I changed to the new card because I'll be getting a replacement for the 99 Sierra and want the benefit to accumulate quicker. Do a pile of research before you pick either of the two types of GM cards as every individual has a different situation. You can't go back to the old card once you've made the switch. The card has been good to me.

Shaners · January 2, 2003

I have a GM card, but found out with the purchase of my current truck that the earnings cannot be used along with a GM Supplier Discount for a vehicle purchase. Anyone know how else the earnings can be used?

I heard that too... That really stinks because between my GM Supplier Discount and my GM Card, I was well below invoice on my last three or four GM's that I have bought...

marksgms · January 2, 2003

I just picked a GM card up at the beginning of the month, and just bought my truck last weekend. I'm using a double wammy to try and catch up. Mine is 5% up to $500 per year with 9.9 APR fixed for the first year, then 4 + prime (not bad, it compares with the rest). I put my down payment on the card, but I have the cash. I avoid the interest, and actually have my new vehicle help pay for my next one... cars are a necessity, horses just won't cut it. Since I'll stick with GM, why not get something to help the cost? The 'vehicle allowance' has actually changed quite a bit, I'd imagine it will go up and down with respect to the cash back options GM is running at the time of purchase. With the 3k cash back, my S-10 only had a 1,500 allowance, but the Silverado had a 3k cash back with a 2,500 allowance. I hope it stays that way!

Does anyone know if you can use the cash back on maintenance and GM Accessories? Now that would be cool!

WEFs99 · January 3, 2003

I just picked a GM card up at the beginning of the month, and just bought my truck last weekend. I'm using a double wammy to try and catch up. Mine is 5% up to $500 per year with 9.9 APR fixed for the first year, then 4 + prime (not bad, it compares with the rest). I put my down payment on the card, but I have the cash. I avoid the interest, and actually have my new vehicle help pay for my next one... cars are a necessity, horses just won't cut it. Since I'll stick with GM, why not get something to help the cost? The 'vehicle allowance' has actually changed quite a bit, I'd imagine it will go up and down with respect to the cash back options GM is running at the time of purchase. With the 3k cash back, my S-10 only had a 1,500 allowance, but the Silverado had a 3k cash back with a 2,500 allowance. I hope it stays that way!

Does anyone know if you can use the cash back on maintenance and GM Accessories? Now that would be cool!

GM wouldn't let me do that. I tried the down payment trick on the 97 Grand Prix and the Sierra but they said nada.

carguru · January 3, 2003

I have the "classic" gold card. It has been pretty good to me. The last GM vehicle I bought, I saved $2300 with it. The bad part with the "classic" cards is that you can only earn $500 a year. They tried to get me to switch to the "new" GM card a while back. The upgrade allows you to have unlimited earnings, but limit you to how much you can get back on particular vehicles. Have you checked into the Citibank Driver's edge? It allows you to earn 2% on any vehicle new or used, buy or lease. I have both. Get my $500 per year on the GM and switch to the Citibank. :thumb:

WEFs99 · January 4, 2003

I have the "classic" gold card. It has been pretty good to me. The last GM vehicle I bought, I saved $2300 with it. The bad part with the "classic" cards is that you can only earn $500 a year. They tried to get me to switch to the "new" GM card a while back. The upgrade allows you to have unlimited earnings, but limit you to how much you can get back on particular vehicles. Have you checked into the Citibank Driver's edge? It allows you to earn 2% on any vehicle new or used, buy or lease. I have both. Get my $500 per year on the GM and switch to the Citibank. :thumb:

Do you have a link to Citibank? I did a search but they have a lot of different cards. The one you mentioned sounds good. I love cards that work for you! :thumb: