There was a report on Reddit stating that the Swych app stopped earning 5x with the INK Plus/Cash cards. We waited for corroborating data points, and eventually one came through in the comments on Frequentmiler, though there is another conflicting data point there as well.
I decided to test it out with a $10 eBay gift card purchase, and, indeed, it did not earn 5x. It used to show up as bills and utilities, now it shows as Merchandise and inventory and only earns 1x.
I don’t know if this change affects the INK Preferred card from earning 3x there, let us know if you try it out. We’ll update this in the next update of our Payments Workshop.
Really really really hoping gyft isn’t next. That will almost end it.
So long Swytch. Hang in there Gyft
This was PayPal’s doing at Visa’s behest – Visa has a category that better fits gift cards and had been splitting the VISA/MC MCC for Gift Card related small & midmarket merchants.
They are now showing a separate MCC when using Visa, but Mastercard remains unchanged.
Oof
Doc, on 3/5 I purchased a $5 giftcard to Dunkins using the CIP, coded at 1x
Doc, on 3/5 I purchased a $5 giftcard to Dunkins using the CIP, coded at 1x
What is a good alternative
Using a non-Chase card?
Going to Staples?
Gyft
You can also get some digital gift cards delivered to you through Staples.com. Those will earn 5x on the Ink Plus. Some gift cards offered through Swych are not available on Gyft (at least at the time I checked).
For instance, I was going to Fleming’s Steakhouse, but Gyft didn’t have the option available. Swych did, but the PayPal functionality of Swych was broken at the time, so I bought Fleming’s gift cards through Staples instead. The only downside is that, with Staples.com e-gift cards, the delivery takes a few hours, whereas Gyft is immediate.
Was your transaction with the Ink Plus or Ink Cash? I’m trying to work out if that affects things too.
INK Cash
Interesting. The Reddit data point was Ink Cash too, but I think someone on our post or in the Frequent Miler Insiders Facebook group got 5x on the Ink Plus since. I’ll give it a go with mine and see what it codes as.
The purchase I made with my Ink Plus card coded as 1x too from a purchase on March 9. RIP.
Swych app IMMEDIATELY deleted forever
I already dreaded dealing with swych…. miserably unreliable app, lousy customer service (if you could get them to respond). Swych, you earned my low regard. This seals it.
Good riddance.
Unfortunate news. Also, I think you meant “corroborating” instead of “collaborating” ?
Yep! Fixed, thank you