Thanks to reader Amy C for pointing me to a cosmetics blog discussing Comenity’s new Ultamate Rewards credit card, which of course is not to be confused with Chase’s Ultimate Rewards cards. One develops a certain way of thinking in this hobby and it’s fun to see a different take on a product from somebody outside of the usual group of blogs and commenters. And I don’t use the word “normal” pejoratively: however appalling it may be to not maximize one’s credit card rewards, doing so is a weird thing in the sense that the vast majority of people just aren’t into it.
Here’s the review over at a blog called Nouveau Cheap (“Your guide to budget cosmetics since 2009”). I liked this lengthy disclaimer:
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: I am not Ulta, I am not MasterCard, I am not a financial advisor, and I am not Equifax. As with ANY credit card, there are important things you need to be aware of before you decide to apply. I am not telling you to apply for these cards, and I am not advising you to apply for these cards. I am merely telling you about the perks if you choose to sign up for either of these cards. So please CLICK HERE and read EVERYTHING. Read the large print and the fine print. Call Ulta and ask questions. If this is your first credit card, consult trusted friends or family members first. Review your financial situation. Do everything you can to get as much information as you can before making up your mind.
I haven’t seen anybody write anything like that in a while, so that was actually kind of refreshing. Which is fine for most of us since we’re experienced users of credit, although there have been reports of newbies getting in over their head at the behest of the credit card sales industry.
Let’s move on to the comments:
Ok, so I have a credit card I use on makeup and then pay as cash at the end of the month. Applying for this makes sense. I can get Ulta points shopping at Sephora! How funny is that?
Remember when the Amex Open program had a Hyatt discount and it made more sense to pay for a Hyatt stay with a Starwood business card? I guess this is the cosmetics world equivalent of that. Your move, Sephora!
And this was interesting too–apparently hotels, airlines, and credit card companies aren’t the only ones who like to make their rewards programs worse:
Eh, I’m weary of their rewards points ever since I found out that they changed the rules for redeeming them; now if you make a purchase with points and want to return something, unless you return the entire purchase you lose any points that you redeemed. Collecting points with them becomes a lot less attractive when not liking one item in my order means losing the points I used to buy that item unless I return everything on that receipt.
On the darker side of things:
I worked at Ulta for 3 years, and it wasn’t very glitzy, glamorous or fun at times. Corporate is down the managers throats so that gets passed down to the associates. This credit card will be a fiasco! Trying to get people to sign up for InStyle or Allure magazines was awful and you had to get a certain number per shift, you are also required to get beauty club cards which most people already had. Now its going to be “Do you have a beauty club card, do you want to sign up for the Ulta credit card” That will just be annoying as a customer and also not fun for the associates that will probably be pushing it really hard.
I have three things to say to that:
- Would you like to save 5% on your purchases by signing up for a Target credit card today?
- Would you like to save 5% on your purchases by signing up for a Target credit card today?
- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAVE 5% ON YOUR PURCHASES BY SIGNING UP FOR A TARGET CREDIT CARD TODAY?????
Though another commenter chimes in:
Ulta is actually doing this one differently. Their employees are not selling credit or asking every guest to apply- the only guests that will be asked to apply at the register are those preapproved (note: NOT preselected, preapproved) based on their Ultamate rewards card info. Preapproval is does not affect your credit score and being rolled out slowly, so if you’re interested in the card-ask! This is not being “pushed” on every guest which is a great win for customers AND employees. If you are pre-approved but decide to decline, their system will not prompt to ask you again for another 45-90 days.
That is actually downright sensible. (HINT HINT, TARGET.)
Like I said, it’s fun to hear people from outside the hobby commenting on financial products. And if any of you have been looking for a guide to budget-friendly cosmetics, please stop by Nouveau Cheap.
I applied for the ulta MasterCard on the same day I had a 20% coupon. I was told if I apply and I get approved I will have 20% off my first purchase! So I asked, can I combine the coupon with the additional 20%. Yes you can! I can get 40% off my whole purchase! MAC and prestigious brands heck yes,sign me up! PS got 8k plus ulta rewards!! Pay in full after every purchase!