"
Thanks!" to
Daniel who shared with us (in the post "
Some New Items Have Arrived At J.Crew.com!") about the letter he received from J.Crew letting him know that he is now a silver card holder ("
congrats!" Daniel on the upgrade!) :) Daniel also let us know the "perks" associated with the card (which is silver with a blue J.Crew logo):
- $25 for every $500 spent
- Free alterations
- Early notification of limited editions
- Priority access phone line
- Early arrival of monthly catalogs
- Advanced notifications of largest sales of the year
- My limit also WAY increased
Did you get this letter from J.Crew in the mail? Are you a J.Crew silver card member? If you are, do you get those exclusive benefits (like early catalog arrivals)? Would you recommend getting a J.Crew credit card?
"Thanks!" to Daniel who shared with us (in the post "Some New Items Have Arrived At J.Crew.com!") about the letter he received from J.Crew letting him know that he is now a silver card holder ("congrats!" Daniel on the upgrade!) :) Daniel also let us know the "perks" associated with the card (which is silver with a blue J.Crew logo):
I got this in the mail too! I was shocked by the increase in my limit, but I wish the benefits had been a bit more of a perk, like free shipping on all orders a la BR Luxe card.
ReplyDeleteGot it and could tell no difference--kind of a JOKE! I agree with you Steph--free shipping would be nice. Tired of haggling everytime I order for free shipping--plus their shipping is overpriced to begin with.
ReplyDeleteAlso, correct me if I am wrong, but I think the free alterations is only for full priced items :-( They don't really make that clear.
ReplyDeleteI think the credit card would be more appealing if there were more perks -- free shipping, special promotional discounts, etc. As it stands, the current benefits are not enticing enough for me to want to acquire one.
ReplyDeletei didn't get this email...i just have the regular card...but the lame thing about this card is that taxes and shipping *don't* count towards your points. i just realized this after starting to use my card again (i hadn't used it for 5 years). so you really have to spend more to make the 500 points to get a rewards card...the whole "$25 for every $500 you spend" is misleading.
ReplyDeletei have a gap silver card and the benefits are so much better than those of jcrew's card...:)
ccbum: Wow, I've never heard of a credit card's rewards being tabulated like that. That really sucks!!
ReplyDeleteI got the same letter and the new card, and I'm still looking for the extra perks compared my original card though. And yeah, for the hundreds (thousands?) of dollars I spend at J Crew, a little free shipping or bonus coupons off like BR and Gap would be nice...
ReplyDeleteI have had this so called upgraded card for some time now...I actually called and told them to reduce the amount on the card...number one I would never put that high amount on my card and having that much open credit can hurt your credit rating and/or cause problem if someone got a hold of my card!
ReplyDeleteThis is just a gimick....the benefits are not any different from the basic card...
I got the silver card too and the benefits are exactly the same as the green card-No different! The card is really a joke. Yeah, it's nice to get rewards cards every 3 months, ( the next closes 9/30 BTW everybody!!), but free shipping, please, J Crew? BGD
ReplyDeleteYes, there is never a little extra coupon or anything in the statements like other companies...this JCrew credit card is really sad...
ReplyDeleteI agree with ccbmum...the GAP card offers much better benefits, plus you can use it at all 4 stores. :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if J.Crew will let you use the J.Crew Card at Madewell? I don't have a J.Crew Credit Card...I considered opening one a few months back but never did, and after reading all the posts about it on here, I'm really glad I didn't.
i was confused by the claim of "priority access phone line" so i emailed the card customer service. they did send me a number to call but i think it's a priority line for the credit people, not jcrew ordering.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything said in all the comments about this card, it's really nothing special. However, I would like to know about this "Front of the Line Ordering"..... What is that special phone number? I have ALWAYS had to wait for a LONG time on the phone to order ever since J Crew's "upgrade". Grrrrrr :0
ReplyDeleteI too have had the silver card for quite some time. I have not noticed any additional benefits. I seem to get the catalog after most people on this blog and I can't tell you the last time I got one of the emails talked about on here. I am also a BR luxe cardholder and truly enjoy the extra perks with that card. I obviously spend enough money with J Crew but having free shipping would make me spend more.
ReplyDeleteI too am a "silver" card holder, and the benefits are still the same as with the green card...crappy.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew has stated that they will be increasing their credit card benefits this fall... though I have no idea what that means. I have the card but never use it (yes its the plain old green card) and it just sits in the back on my wallet most of the time. This is also because I prefer to use my debit card, its just easier to track my spending this way. But if the benefits were really good I might consider using it and then just paying it off immediately.
ReplyDeleteIf the benefits were better I'd spend more! My usual credit card gives my frequent flyer miles and sometimes that's a lot more appealing than the non-benefits I get from J Crew. I order online or in-store, haven't yet needed alterations, seem to be getting my catalog later than others and often don't want to spend the high $ amount that the "private sale" threshold requires. They really should look at their rewards program because it's a lot poorer than others. I feel like my entire closet is J Crew and yet all I have to show for it is two gift cards?!
ReplyDeleteI've had the silver card for a couple years and still get the catalogs about a week after everyone I know. I've never tried to use any of the other benefits - just the rewards cards. I get a $50 one most seasons (or however often they give them out), which seems nice, until you realize it barely covers shipping and tax on most orders.
ReplyDeleteI'm silver as well, and I agree with boston_brit - I feel like 98% of my closet is JC, and all I have to show for it is a $50 GC or so? It also seems like the amount of the GC never seems to correlate with how much I've spent. I like having the card for the sole purpose of keeping my clothing costs separate from my other stuff, but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteI was at my B&M a few days ago and they called another store to mail me an item they didn't have in my size (the polka-dot bateau top, I think it was store only; same body as the brushstroke rose top but yellow with white pindots). I was told it would be free shipping, plus the 40% off final sale, plus my student discount. I checked my card this morning and they charged me $8.50 shipping (on a $25 item!). Boo! Priority Mail only costs $4.65 - come on now!
I have to echo what everyone else has said. I've had the silver card for at least a year now, and I'm not impressed. Tack on free shipping and we'll talk.
ReplyDeleteEven though I can't get this card (another disadvantage about J.Crew and Canada) I want to comment.
ReplyDeleteI have a MasterCard with airmiles and get far more benifits with this card than the J.Crew card would offer. It seems that the J.Crew card is set up for instore shoppers much more than on line shoppers.
Like many have said throw in shipping or a real perk, like an early shot at new items or a levele benifit where after spending so much a year you get a discount. That would get better results.
Does J.Crew make much off this card? Or is it done simply to have their own credit card and the status it brings?
silver lining...that is too bad about your in store order....I have always been charged shipping when I have an item shipped from a store to me if that makes you feel any better....I know they told you otherwise, but I know the policy is to charge a customer....I have heard of a few people on this site getting it free but I think that is the RARE exception...I do this type of "ordering" a lot and for 4 years now and have always been charged whether the store is in MN or NY or NJ!
ReplyDeleteI've had a "silver" card for a couple of years now. As far as I can tell there are no real perks other than the rewards. I still can't seem to get a catalog mailed to me, nevermind early. I don't think I've ever received "front of the line" service. I don't use the card as much as I used to...I would probably use it more if they offered free shipping or a promo code here or there. For these reasons combined with the ongoing web issues I'm seriously considering canceling. I've just kind of had it with JCrew...I still like there clothing and all, but I feel like they just don't value me as a customer.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with most of the sentiments here. There is really no added benefit to having this "silver" card. Yes, they increase the credit limit ....but that is for their benefit.
ReplyDeleteThey have never (atleast to my knowledge) had a "cardholder's only" sale, or given us extra % discount when using this card.
Yes, they give you a $25 rewards card for every $500 spent...but to get a substantial reward card...you have spend thousands!!!
And the reward card has a limited life. Most come with a life of about 4-6 weeks.
Why not let us accumulate points and let us decide when we want to use them. And atleast give us free shipping on orders.
ditto the comments about offering free shipping like BR luxe. i can't tell you how much money i still spend there because its just so easy.
ReplyDeleteJC Guy in Canada,
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a issue of "making money" from the card--I imagine the issuing bank is the one that benefits from the fees/interest etc. I think for JC it's an issue of saving money--i.e. anytime you make a charge on your amex/mc/visa for $100, the store only receives $97, or something like that. On their own store card, they have it worked out so they don't have to pay these fees (or pay lower ones).
I have been thinking about getting rid of my jcrew card for a while. I really see no point. However, since they way increased my limit right now and I use only a fraction of it, it improves my credit score. So I might keep it for a while because of that. Otherwise, there are just no (as in 0.0) benefits to this card.
ReplyDeleteHaving too much available credit can actually hurt you if you apply for a loan of any kind....
ReplyDeleteI agree w/Hannah. I continue to purchase from BR because of the free shipping & the rewards. I haven't been impressed w/the clothing lately, but I will definitely keep my card and remain a customer. Plus I can use it at ON, GAP and Piper Lime.
ReplyDeleteI imagine J Crew doesn't want to suck up free shipping. That could get quite costly, esp if people order 2 sizes and return one. I still think they need to find a way to offer free shipping and the best place to do it would be on the Final Sale items since we can't return the danggone things if the colors or fit are off.
New card holder here! After reading these comments, I almost wish I had not opened an account:(
ReplyDeleteAlexis: We should send a formal letter to J.Crew., or start a petition.
Are they even aware that loyal customers/cardholders are not satisfied with the "perks"?
anon: we have sent a formal letter and they did respond back that they would be making improvements to their benefits program.
ReplyDeleteI would not get a J.Crew card as the perks are just not there. Throw in free shipping and then I would---assuming the free shipping could be used in conjunction with other coupon codes.
ReplyDeleteTo compare I have both a BR Luxe card and a Gap silver card. I like that I can use both at all four Gap brands. I love that I get free shipping on any price point purchase. I get coupons from both of these cards/brands every week. I lovethe rewards program of earning the merchandise certificates, which when earned are good for up to a year. They also offer double or triple reward points so the rewards add up fast. Generally speaking the discounts are greater, too. For example, a recent promo for BR was 15% off a $125 purchase (for any kind of payment). For Luxe cardholders it was 20% off.
And let's not forget the best part of the Gap empire's cards: you can combine free shipping, discount codes, and reward certificates on your order. Sometimes all I pay for something to arrive at my door is a few dollars and tax.
I would spend way more at J.Crew if they ofefred perks like these. I would gladly get a card!
One more thing that is good about the BR and Gap card perks: the reward certifcates are sent to you when you reach a payout threshhold---not a few times a year. Ie. you can get one with every statement if you sepnd that much. These cards really have it figuredout to get you to spend more!
ReplyDeleteAnon at 12:43 PM.
ReplyDeleteYou are wrong and it is a common misconception. What really matters is used credit/available credit ratio. Please read this article http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/BeefUpYourCreditScoreIn5steps.aspx
Right now, i don't have an incentive to get a J.Crew card.
ReplyDeleteI think J.Crew should factor, e.g. shipping cost, into the merchandise so that it is transparent to consumers. I'm sure it's what Zappos does considering their prices are sometimes $5 higher for the same shoe purchased elsewhere.
Many businesses successfully adopt a business model that makes them profitable and yields a competitive advantage. Often it is simply from knowing the right balance of volume of sales at the right price points, factoring in promotions. If there are substitutions with other businesses offering similar items with better perceived advantages, customers move on.
I think J.Crew should explore this opportunity while trying to maintain its edge into the higher-end market, especially in the current economy. Even NM and Saks often offer free shipping.
Just had to add my comment. I've been a silver card holder for over a year now, and I don't notice any special benefits. My friend doesn't have the silver card, and she gets the catalog at the exact same time I receive mine. I love my BR Luxe card because of the free shipping. I hope they consider adding free shipping as part of their perks. I barely order online anymore because of the shipping prices. And because I wear petite-size pants, I have no choice BUT to order online because they don't carry petite sizes in their stores. I'm a busy mom who has a full-time job and co-owns a jewelry design business... I don't have time to run to the J.Crew store to place an order on their "special" red phone everytime I want some new slacks!
ReplyDeleteI'd love free shipping as a perk but might even settle for a $5 flat fee. It's like an incentive to spend less if my shipping incrementally increases when my spending does! And I'm certainly not going to order something small (t-shirt, necklace) if I have to pay a minimum shipping cost close to $10, so that's a sale lost.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wanted to reiterate that I think that "private sales" are bunk! I'm a regular J Crew shopper and buy in-store or online only if I can get free shipping. That means that I spend a little, often and not a lot all at once - a sweater here, a pair of shoes there. If I have to spend $150 or $200 to qualify for a discount (AND pay shipping online) then I'm not going to do it. I understand that they're doing this to increase my spend but it just ends up annoying me.
I don't have a j. crew card but after seeing the benefits I'm thinking about getting one. thanks for the info
ReplyDeleteI have the silver preferred card as well. No real extra perk differences from the green card. I'd like free shipping too- I'd shop more often then. Not, that I already don't buy things there pretty often.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a large credit limit but, a low amount owed on the card it actually helps your credit. For some of you who have said it hurts.
ReplyDeleteI do mortgage loans for Bank of America and if you have a high balance on 1 card and low on another you should actually even the amounts out and call the card company to ask if they can increase your limits w/o checking your credit based on your account history... you will see your credit score actually bump up.
One thing I look for is HIGH credit card limits with low debt on them. This shows you know who to spend in your limits. So... a $1,000 limit with $400 owed looks much better than a $1,000 limit with $900 owed. So.. increasing your limit is GOOD.. just don't spend anymore. Now back to the post- The Jcrew card is good to diversify your credit background.. but it is bad to indulge in to many retail type credit cards. And w/ the preferred JCrew card they increase your limit based on spending/payment history NOT on your credit report.. good thing.
But.. I do wish they would have better perks.. like free shipping coupons or something.
If you have a large credit limit but, a low amount owed on the card it actually helps your credit. For some of you who have said it hurts.
ReplyDeleteI do mortgage loans for Bank of America and if you have a high balance on 1 card and low on another you should actually even the amounts out and call the card company to ask if they can increase your limits w/o checking your credit based on your account history... you will see your credit score actually bump up.
One thing I look for is HIGH credit card limits with low debt on them. This shows you know who to spend in your limits. So... a $1,000 limit with $400 owed looks much better than a $1,000 limit with $900 owed. So.. increasing your limit is GOOD.. just don't spend anymore. Now back to the post- The Jcrew card is good to diversify your credit background.. but it is bad to indulge in to many retail type credit cards. And w/ the preferred JCrew card they increase your limit based on spending/payment history NOT on your credit report.. good thing.
But.. I do wish they would have better perks.. like free shipping coupons or something.
I have Jcrew's CC but I don't really see the benefits. I hardly ever use my BR cards and I get reward cards and coupons much more often. I'm thinking about closing my Jcrew account - I should be getting more benefits by using my own mastercard/visa for every $500 I spend...
ReplyDeleteI will do just about anything to avoid paying for shipping! And as far as I can tell, there is no benefit to me as a card member or not - I have the same codes and shipping costs everyone else has. No other perks. I got the silver letter too... big deal.
ReplyDeleteJust to mention a great perk by a company. At White House/Black Market, once you purchase over $300 you get a "preferred status." This allows you free shipping and 5% off on all purchases. This is not a credit card, just a preferred customer perk. It definitely is a draw to keep shopping.
ReplyDeleteLeaderboys, with all due respect, I think WHBM actually needs this kind of reward program to stay in business. I dont even know who would spend that much money there since their stuff is just poor quality and is hardly ever made of natural materials and WAY too expensive for what they offer. Would not shop there even if they bribed me.
ReplyDeleteBut look at all us jcrew addicts... we keep shopping no matter what! :)
I don't think I would ever get the JC credit card. I like GAP's credit card better, because they give so much more incentive.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm not a sliver member for GAP credit card, getting there soon. I like their FREE shipping on order over $100 and the fact that you can combine coupons. Also, did they mention the first tuesday of each month is your very own 10% off day? Yeah, I keep missing these days at GAP.
I also have a discover reward card and it is awesome. Too bad JCREW isn't on there as a partner with discover. Though ON/GAP/BR are all on there, including many more.
I received mine as well. My limit didn't change at all. As far as I'm concerned, there's no difference between the green card and the silver one with the exception of color.
ReplyDeleteI used to use my J Crew card a lot but found that there's really no benefit in using it. Not only would I have to make a seperate payment which I find highly inconvenient, I would find mistakes on my statement.
Nowadays, I put all of my J Crew purchases on my platinum Visa Card instead. At least I get 1 point for every dollar I spend of which I use it towards vacation travel. If J Crew were to offer Free Shipping for their Silver Card members, I would certainly be using it all the time. Afterall, shipping is approximately $20 per order for me. Free Shipping would certainly prompt me to buy a whole lot more than I do now.
J Crew, seeing that we're all of the same voice here, maybe the Free Shipping is a perk you'd seriouly like to consider for your preferred Silver Card members.
Karen
I have it also, but not much difference. It will be nice if they could offer free shipping....
ReplyDeleteYes, the benefits are so minimal that it doesn't make sense to own one of these JCrew cards...with the website downgrade I just cancelled mine b/c I don't have a store nearby and I am sick to death of the website's continued problems...If the benefits do improve then I might reconsider reopening mine...I am order less and less as the months have progressed...
ReplyDeleteanyone who has to have all their pants hemmed like me would never question if the CC is worth it! YES!
ReplyDeleteI have a silver JCrew card, and have never been notified of advance sales, or limited editions. It is worth it for the rewards card (I usually rack up $50), and free alterations on full priced merchandise (especially if you are petite like me and not everything comes in petite sizes!) However, I have the BR Luxe card, and in addition to receiving rewards cards with every bill, I also get free shipping on all 3 sites, and free alterations on full priced merchandise. The JCrew card would be more beneficial if free shipping was included, at the very least for silver card holders.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have problems receiving rewards and what not with the upgraded card? I'm a former employee with a cashmere level card and I'm really frustrated, no matter how many times I sign up for emails etc I don't get anything...I didn't even get my last reward card despite spending over 500. Which also is dumb...25 dollars for every 500, give me a break! Considering the generousity they give you when they work there with free shipping on orders and amazing discounts you think they'd share that with customers to some degree as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a cashmere level card?
ReplyDeleteWTF is a cashmere level card???? How hokey is that name by J Crew? The card is a $$$$$$-maker for them and a drain on us ... if you carry a balance. Geeshhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteI know this is an old post, but I was trying to find out if I could use my JCrew silver card (which I agree should have better benefits like the Gap card)at Madewell. I couldn't find the answer online, so I just chatted with a Madewell rep online and they said you could not...too bad.
ReplyDelete