So the Rei credit card is switching from us bank to capital one. They are also changing a bunch of things about the dividends (not even calling it that but rather rewards). Thoughts?

If they open up the dividends or rewards to using at other locations outside of REI, that would be nice.

You will no longer be able to cash in your annual dividend. I don't need much from REI nowadays, so I've decided that I'm going with another card as my primary now and only keeping the REI card as a backup.

Canoearoo: "So the Rei credit card is switching from us bank to capital one. They are also changing a bunch of things about the dividends (not even calling it that but rather rewards). Thoughts?"

I have moved most of my transactions to my Apple Card. I also have a Costco credit card that I use exclusively for Costco purchases. Both give me cash back at a rate as high or higher than the REI card.

In 2021, I could find enough on which to spend my entire REI dividend so I asked for the rest in cash - No, they no longer do that. OK, have them send a check - No, they no longer do that.

There was a time that REI stocked gear that I couldn't find elsewhere - they no longer do that. There was a time that REI employeed experienced outdoors people - sometimes they do that, not always.

There was a time when I was proud to buy my teen-aged son his REI membership and he was proud to have his REI membership card/number. (Oh, They no longer do that - no card for my second son's membership five years later)

> My banking is with US bank. I am feel like my bank treats me better than REI so, will likely end my relationship with the REI Card.

Money earned by the card user through the % back from the REI credit card has been and will continue to be eligible to redeem for cash. Only the dividend money earned by members as a percentage of an item's purchase price is becoming non-redeemable for cash. The single term "dividend" was used for both in the past since both could be redeemed for cash.

I did get a mailing referring to the upcoming change, haven't read the fine print yet. One of the existing REI card's benefits is that if you use the card to pay your cell bill, they include cell phone insurance for loss, theft or damage on your phone. I think the coverage limit is $800 annually, nice feature, not sure if other cards offer similar coverage. I'm in the position where I'm pretty well set on gear, but find I can use the REI dividend for gifts, outerwear, shoes, gloves etc.

I’m a long time member of REI, over 40 years. I don’t buy much from them anymore. Example is a product is a $100 at REI. Not sure what the discount is anymore, but lets say its 8%. So at the end of the year you get a check for $8.00. You can usually find the exact same thing at another store for $92.00. So they have my $8.00 for year then give it back to me, what a deal!

Back in the good old days, they actually had great deals. They had gear that others did not. I saw a big change in the store about 15-20 years ago. It just seems like this store is giving less and less each year to its members. I would almost bet that the new credit card change will benefit REI more than me as a member.

Canoearoo: "So the Rei credit card is switching from us bank to capital one. They are also changing a bunch of things about the dividends (not even calling it that but rather rewards). Thoughts?"

So capital one is the same as what Bass Pro Shops/Cabalas uses. So I have some experience.

One Change is the reward/dividend you earn is available basically immediately after you pay each statement. I call it a positive. Some might like the nostalgia of a once a year payout, but I time my use of my dividend with their bigger sales (25-30% off) that they do quarterly. I like choosing when I use my rewards better than being held hostage for a year :)

The other benefit appears to be they will pay you 1.5% back instead of 1% on purchases outside of REI…which is the majority of purchases for me…so not much more but something more.

I do like the instant purchase notification Capital One gives you. Maybe US bank offers it too? But it is easy on Capital One.

What I don’t understand is if REI members still get 10% back from REI purchases. I don’t care too much about that because I think it had to be a full price item to get the 10%? I almost always buy during their big sales.

You do get 5% back on all REI purchases regardless of the sale/price. For me this is another benefit, as my previous paragraphs pointed out I did not get much in direct REI Rewards. This will increase my rewards points/bonus.

All in all we will each have to see how it affects us individually, but for me this is way better. Especially since REI has been offering members free shipping if they use their CC. I don’t have to wait in their long lines or waste gas money to drive to the store.

T

Also if you want to cash out the points you earn on your current card you can do that. I assume they carry over to the capital one card? But some have expressed they may not continue or wanted a check….REI will give you that opportunity as they switch out cards.

REI cash out

Thanks everyone. I haven’t had time to read the info yet and am learning a lot here.

Got rid of my REI card years ago. Like others, I do not need that much gear anymore, and the gear I do need I can usually find elsewhere for a better price. To me, REI has become primarily a clothing store, and a really expensive one.

Frenchy19: "Got rid of my REI card years ago. Like others, I do not need that much gear anymore, and the gear I do need I can usually find elsewhere for a better price. To me, REI has become primarily a clothing store, and a really expensive one. "

Need???…it’s got nothing to do with need when you are buying gear :)

All joking aside, not sure I get the angst against REI…they have 25-30% off sales every quarter on brand new gear. Heck they recently had gortex rain jackets 40% off. Of course other sites have great sales too, but as a bargain bin shopper myself…REI still has some great deals to be found. I have two growing boys to outfit with clothing and gear…I have no loyalty to any retailer except price, but I can tell you I probably still get the best deals at REI 25-50% of the time and I have eight websites I probably monitor as a savvy shopper…

T

I’m buying just about everything on sale too. I just looked and I spent about $485 in 2021 and my dividend was under $6 bucks. I like their Outlet with steeper discounts, and I’ve come close to buying used gear too. I just got new sunglasses at half price. I hear that you can get some really good deals at their garage sales. I don’t know if they still have them, though.

Fritty

Heyfritty: "I’m buying just about everything on sale too. I just looked and I spent about $485 in 2021 and my dividend was under $6 bucks. I like their Outlet with steeper discounts, and I’ve come close to buying used gear too. I just got new sunglasses at half price. I hear that you can get some really good deals at their garage sales. I don’t know if they still have them, though.

Fritty "

Ha you shop like me…with the new card your dividend will be $24.25 instead of 6 bucks. Not huge but better at least.

I’ve gotten great deals at the garage sales but they are so popular now and I have psychological condition I call “line Phobia” I just don’t care to go to them anymore :)

T

FYI REI has a few member exclusive deals right now. Flexlite air, 1# chair for 50% off…30 degree quilt 850 fill down for 50% off

andym: "Thanks everyone. I haven’t had time to read the info yet and am learning a lot here. "

Read somewhere you can use a credit card to remove a leech.

Yeah, I saw that. Guess I should start carrying my wallet in the BW.

fraxinus: "I did get a mailing referring to the upcoming change, haven't read the fine print yet. One of the existing REI card's benefits is that if you use the card to pay your cell bill, they include cell phone insurance for loss, theft or damage on your phone. I think the coverage limit is $800 annually, nice feature, not sure if other cards offer similar coverage. I'm in the position where I'm pretty well set on gear, but find I can use the REI dividend for gifts, outerwear, shoes, gloves etc. "

I just found out that the cell phone insurance program is NO LONGeR in effect.

This March I needed a new phone, put it on the rei cc, did not get the additional insurance from the cell phone company because I pay my cell phone bill with the cc so I have insurance that way. I am usually careful with my phone, and it normally sits on the counter at home unless I’m actually using it. . Well, last week the phone fell out of a pocket and went through the wash… and dryer. Did all the suggested ways to get the moisture out and it does receive messages and calls, but the screen stays black so I can’t access anything. Called rei cc to see how to file a claim and was told that program ended in January! I did not receive a notice about the change, and apparently neither did you. So now I have to finish paying off this phone (it is only 3 months old)before I can get another new one. I wonder how many other people are also having this issue.