American Express Best Value Guarantee info is in POST 1
Chase Shop Secure info is in POST 2


AMEX BVG FAQ

What is AMEX Best Value Guarantee?

American Express Best Value Guarantee ensures that you pay the lowest price available on covered items purchased entirely with an eligible American Express Card.

AMEX Best Value Guarantee is a program that is offered by American Express Credit Cards.

AMEX Best Value Guarantee is also known as BVG.

What are the terms of the Best Value Guarantee?

up to $250.00 per item back
$1,000.00 per year limit.
60 days price protection
Claim must be filed within 90 days of purchase

doesn't include perishables, realestate etc.. (electronics are okay)

Most American Express Cards no longer offer BVG. As of May 1st 2003, many American Express cards no longer BVG to internet ads.

Which AMEX Cards offer BVG with internet pricematching?

American Express Platinum Business
American Express Centurion Business
American Express Costco Business

These cards may no longer offer internet BVG after recent policy changes after the beginning of 2004

Which AMEX Cards offer BVG for ONLY B&M print ads?

American Express Gold
American Express Platinum
American Express Starwood Preferred

Which AMEX cards are not eligible for BVG?

AMEX Gold Business card
American Express Optima Platinum
American Express Blue
Student Cards

What can i do if they send me a card that doesn't offer BVG?

Apply for a card. If you get a regular card instead, then just go ahead and call AMEX up and request an upgrade to a better card. They do have a procedure for conversion, but the upgrade to a better card may require a credit check or even a new application. It may depend on the CSR you speak to.

How do I file a claim for AMEX BVG?

(Thanks to rdjdmj for his contribution of this info)

1. If you find within 60 days of purchase an item identical to the one you bought and cheaper call to file a claim.

2. Call 1-800-557-8317 which is the BVG Phone # and is open 24-7

3. They will ask you the name of the item and the cost. Then they will ask you the name of the STORE you are PM'ing to as well as the price.

a) They do not ask anything about a rebate being involved.

4. Next they will tell you to submit a copy of a printed advertisement containing the sales date (or sales period). You must also submit the store receipt of the item you purchased, then either snail mail or fax in the info. As mentioned before, you must have the claim # listed on all submitted pages

BVG Fax #:
1-800-858-5971

BVG Mailing Address:
Best Value Guarantee Program
PO BOX 495
Golden, CO 80402-0495

5. It takes about 2-3 weeks for them to process your claim. I was told that I will receive a check in the mail rather than my account be credited

6. Everthing has to be filed within 90 days of purchase.

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AMEX info on BVG

American Express BVG website info

Addional AMEX info

Chase CSS FAQ

What is Chase Shop Secure?

Chase Shop Secure is a program that is offered by Chase Manhattan Credit Cards. This program is similar to the AMEX Best Value Guarantee that people here have used in the past.

Chase Shop Secure is also known as CSS.

It is the combined programs of Lowest Price Guarantee protection and Return Protection

Lowest Price Guarantee ensures that you pay the lowest price available on covered items purchased entirely with an eligible Chase Manhattan Credit Card.

What is the difference between CSS and AMEX BVG?

The key difference between this program and the AMEX BVG is that you MUST enroll in the Chase Shop Secure program before you make the purchase. Call the following Customer Service Number: 1-800-334-0601 and request that Chase enroll you in this program. You will receive mailings about the program 7-10 days after you enroll. It might be hit or miss on the CSR you get, but eventually you'll find one that knows about the program and can enroll you in it.

What are the terms of the Lowest Price Guarantee?

This is basically a Lowest Price Guarantee (LPG) protection that pricematches to the internet ads. (It also comes with the Return Protection too)

up to $250.00 per item back
$1,000.00 per year limit.
60 days price protection
20 days to file the claim

Coverage to limited to three of an identical item with a limit of one refund per eligible item
Payment is made exclusive of any applicable taxes storage, shipping, handling and postage charges.

doesn't include perishables, realestate etc.. (electronics etc are okay)
when u call visa.. ask for 'visa enhancement services'

Which Chase Manhattan Cards offer Lowest Price Guarantee/CSS?

Chase Gold Visa
Chase Platinum Visa 800-767-7218
Chase Platinum Mastercard

Which Chase Manhattan Cards are not eligible for LPG/CSS?

Student Cards
Freedom Card
Platinum Freedom Visa/Mastercard
Chase Office Depot Platinum Business Card
Chase Corporate Cards
Chase Stockback Classic
Chase Stockback Platinum (unconfirmed)
Chase CashBuilder Platinum
Chase Visa Infinite Card

What can i do if they send me a card that doesn't offer CSS/LPG?

Some things you can do. Apply for a card. If you get a regular card instead, then just go ahead and call Chase up and request an upgrade to a better card. They should do it pretty easily. They want you to remain a customer.

How do I file a claim for Lowest Price Guarantee protection?

If, within 60 days after the original purchase date, a customer finds the item at a lower price, at any store, these simple steps should be followed to file a claim:
1) Within 90 days of the original purchase date, Claims Administration should be called to request a claim form. The toll-free number, 1-800-735-1408, is available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday (EST).
2) Copies of required information include, but are not limited to, the following:
• the eligible card receipt for the entire purchase price;
• the sales receipt indicating the date, the store, the item and the amount of purchase; and
• either a copy of the dated, printed, lower-price ad or a statement, signed by the store manager on store stationery, documenting the details of the lower price of the identical item.
3) The claim form must be mailed to Claims Administration, P0 Box 5725, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5725 with all necessary documentation, and must be postmarked within 30 days of the request for the claim form.
4) Any additional documentation requested must be received within 60 days of the request for such information in order for the claim to remain eligible for payment.
5) Upon receipt of the completed claim form with all required documentation, one of the following will be mailed to the customer within 15 business days:
• a check for the claim amount;
• a request for additional information; or a claim denial letter.

Plan Administrator
Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 5723
Glen Allen, VA 23058-5723


(Parts of this was borrowed from our friends at FW)

Please make suggestions and comments to this thread!!!

Definitely add updates to what cards are or are not eligible for the various programs!!!!

Thanks!!!

What are their requirements for obtaining a "business" card account? I'm self employed now, and may be able to qualify.

that you use it for "business" purposes.

At least that is what the CSR told me.

I was pre-approved for one of the business accounts. She said i could sign up for it any time.

hmmmm....I dunno if buying electronics and such would quite qualify for "business purposes." *wondering if I can BVG gas prices :lol:

However, I currently use an MBNA Gold card for my business expenses, which has no rewards or anything with it....any suggestions on rewards based business cards? Does AMEX have rewards?

Many cards have the Membership rewards program.

I called Chase Credit cards to inquire about their CSS program, I was told that the CashBuilder card does not qualify, the infinite card no longer exist. The program is still good for Platinum and Gold.

I keep seeing that BVG ended on May 1st for AMEX
Which cards, if any, still have BVG ??

thanks

you shall find your answer in the first post

OK..thanks cron

so Post 1 lists the ones that still offer BVG

Yeah.....i've been trying to keep it accurate, but I really need user feedback to find out which cards are still eligible for the various promotions. Someone could just call Amex BVG and ask if they want to be sure.

Could the OP add the card fees? For example the AMEX Platinum Business is $300/year. Thanks.

No problem. Keep posting the info and I'll update.

Um, so has anyone used CSS on an internet PM and gotten it back yet?

F

I just got the official info that I am signed up for the program. I'll probably try it out shortly.

I just spoke at length with a CSR at Chase, and only the "core" cards such as Platinum Mastercard, etc. are eligible for Shop Secure. All the special ones like the Platinum iCard and stuff are ineligible.

I have a citibank diamond preferred master card, which has something similar to BVG but ONLY match B&M printed ads. Never tried it. Please shed some lights if anyone used it before.

does anyone know if they will BVG ( I have CSS) an after rebate price if you bought it elsewhere without a rebate?

BimmerPilot on FW claims that AMEX will no longer BVG online prices effective 1/1/2004. I don't have this card, so I haven't bothered to verify the rumor.

I have seen this posted over on the Internet and Retail Deals forum. Was wondering if anyone had heard about CSS going the same route. I hope not, as I have a couple deals up my sleeve for right past the new year.

Word on FW in Deal Discussion also says that CSS has gotten a lot tighter in the past few months - they require *original* receipt now and are using lots of excuses to get out of doing the PM's.

If you're stupid enough to allow PM's to any internet ad then you'll get abused, guess this is the lesson learned first for AMEX and now for Chase.

Just received a Claim Form that I requested from Chase, and it is asking for the CC statement that the item appeared on. I just ordered the item, and the statement won't be here until about the time I have to have the claim form returned. Would it just be best for me to wait until I receive the statement, and then request another form? First time I have ever done this, so I am clueless.

Also, about the original receipt thing. You have to send it in, but you can request that they send it back, which I will do. Don't really need it, but just to put them through the hassle if they want to make a stupid stipulation such as this.

I wonder if you would be able to print out pages online of the charges.

That would seem reasonable enough to me. hmmmm

hopefully someone here knows for sure or you might have to give them a call and ask.

Can I PM a product purchased online to a local store's lower price by Amex Starwood Card?

Suggested changes/enhancements to the OP:



3. They will ask you the name of the item and the cost. Then they will ask you the name of the STORE you are PM'ing to as well as the price.



4. Next they will tell you to submit a copy of a printed advertisement containing the sales date (or sales period). You must also submit the store receipt of the item you purchased, then either snail mail or fax in the info. As mentioned before, you must have the claim # listed on all submitted pages.

BVG Fax #:
1-800-858-5971

BVG Mailing Address:
Best Value Guarantee Program
PO BOX 495
Golden, CO 80402-0495

Yes, you can.

For those enrolling in Chase Shop Secure,

Absolutely call 800 334 0601, repeatedly, until you get a CSR who will actually initiate enrollment. I got a CSR who told me to call 800 735 1408 (which is the main number for CSS). I called that number and the lady who answered told me that CSS is automatically begun with your first purchase.

However, I called back to 800 334 0601 and finally got a CSR who knew what CSS was and began the enrollment process, and told me that I'd be getting mail from Trilegiant (sp?), which is the company that handles CSS for Chase.

I called twice now to sign up for CSS.

The first person didn't know what it was. She talked to her manager, then came back and told me to call the 800-735-1408 number.

The second person told me that I was already in the program, since it was a free benefit of my card. I asked her to send me information about the program. We'll see if anything shows up. I assume that she is clueless too?

I got those same responses Garsh, I kept calling until I got a CSR who knew how to actually *initiate* enrollment.

That was the key, because alot of the CSR's were just looking at the card benefits, saw that CSS was a free benefit, and assumed you didn't actually need to enroll since it was free.

I kept calling, it took about 30 minutes but finally scored with a CSR who told me in exactly the same terms what Cron had posted, that I was now enrolled and would be receiving more information, terms and conditions, in the mail in 7-10 days.

Anyone knows if the Costco Amex card (non-business) qualifies for BVG?

Thanks.

If yours is the American Express® Costco Cash Rebate Credit Card, then no, it doesn't include BVG. I cannot find any other non-business Costo cards on AMEX's site though.

Diggler

P.S. The link above takes you to the complete benefits page of the American Express® Costco Cash Rebate Credit Card.

I don't know. I signed up a LONG time ago (about 4 months) and I still haven't received anything from them....

I guess I'll try calling them up again to see if I can get the info....

F

I don't mean to drag up old threads, but I did want to say that I recently filed a successful claim with Chase CSS.

I bought the item in November, I saw another store had it for cheaper in January and I filed a claim, and got a $200 check this week.

I just received a letter from chase.

Towards the bottom it says:



So stick a fork in it, it's done. Now I have absolutely no reason to keep that credit card, and I'll be calling to cancel it.

I will cancel mine. I hate chase.

For those who are cancelling, consider how long you've had the card. If you've had it a while, cancelling is bad - it lowers the average age of your accounts and decreases your credit score. Better to keep it and just not use it. If it's one of your younger accounts, cancelling is probably fine. Still, I generally recommend against cancelling cards without an annual fee - just stick it in a safe and ignore it, it doesn't hurt to have the card around.

Agreed. Though I'd make a yearly charge on it just to keep it active.

My credit score is very high, I haven't had the card that long, and I'm not planning any major purchases, so I'm not going to worry about it. I'd rather cancel it and stop getting deluged by their junk mail. And stop their calls to join their various services, where I politely say "no" and the jerk signs me up anyhow, so that I get charged and have to call to have the charge removed.



So, I feel fine about cancelling.

Why can't we make this thread sticky? Lot of useful info here for starters.

So which card has the internet pricematching now? TIA

AMEX Business Platinum does for sure.

I called amex to apply one. I was then told that only printed ads with date on it
qualify. This means that most of the internet price without date will NOT
qualify. I wonder whether this is real case when filing a claim from your
experience.