GM Card Earnings no longer valid with the GM NVPP

[jake75]

Received notice that effective 8-1-03 GM Card Earnings can no longer be used with GM Employee, Dealership Employee, and GM Supplier Discounts. Supposedly this change was announced in July 2002 to give affected parties time to use up their earnings. [I wonder if that might not violate their Union Agreements - it's like taking away a benefit.] GM is now offering a substitute - the GM Extended Family Card that can be used with NVPP but it earns only 1%. Not a great deal - my Citibank Shell MC gives me 5% rebate on Shell gas and 1% on all other purchases.

[cibomatto]

Ouch,,,,...I got the GM card just incase I decide to buy another Vibe in the future....

[Nervous_Dog]

I received a letter about that back in November or December. I was going to wait until July or August to purchase a new car but the deals were so good I ended up buying in March. Just FYI, I heard there is a new GM card coming out (Platnum? Titanium? I forget) but it gives you the option to get cash back in $50 increments.

[Robert G]

I believe that the new card is the one that has 1% earnings (instead of 5%). It is for GM employees and suppliers (and employees of suppliers). It provides for the cash back option, as well. The one real benefit over the existing 5% card is that I believe that there is no annual limit on earnings. My 5% card has a $500 annual limit on earnings, up to a maximum of $3,500. I may switch to the new 1% card so I can start saving for my next GM car and get the benefit of the supplier discount. I figure, my alternative is airline mileage, but after a few years, who knows how much those earnings will be worth, given the state of that industry.

[jake75]

If the choice is (a) a GM Card that gives you a 1% rebate toward purchase of a GM vehicle, or (b) a card that gives you 3-5% on gas purchases, and 1% on everything else, seems like (b) is a no brainer. I us mostly Shell gas so the Citibank Shell Card makes sense and the rebate comes off my credit card bill monthly. I have my own business and put about 40M a year on that card. Rebates of $400-500 a year cover about half my gasoline expenses. Chase Bank has a MC card that gives you 3% on any gas, and 1% on all other purchases if you don't want Shell gas.

[Vibe Rater]

quote: [I wonder if that might not violate their Union Agreements - it's like taking away a benefit.] Right on the money. You are being punished because you are a GM employee. Must be contract time eh? GM Canada employees have never been able to get any employee discount on a VIBE. I have argued with the union that this is a denial of a bargained for benefit, but frankly, they don't give a damn. I've said repeatedly that GM Canada sucks, and they do, but the CAW also sucks, probably even worse because they are supposed to fight issues for you and they don't. They are a bigger part of the problem in Canada. That's right Buzz, you suck!

[michaelgt]

Yes, this was announced last year. I do not mind the changes. They originally took away the ability to use on a GM PEP vehicle in 1997 or 98, and then did away with the blue card that allowed $3500 to accumulate. The card was originally intended to bring non-GM buyers to GM, and was used by more GM employees than anyone else. The new card can be used with GM PEP. I saved an additional $1775 when I got my Vibe in March. Therefore, I could save more if I accumulate savings. GM has tightened in other areas that are a bigger issue to employees.