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Update 3/21/23: Saks has now increased the minimum order to $200 to get free shipping. As a reminder, we originally published this post about the change from free Shoprunner to free shopping on orders over $100 in early July 2023. Now, less than a year later, they have doubled the minimum order for free shipping to $200.
This is old news (and a reader originally reached out at the end of May to bring this to our attention), but in working through a backlog of stuff we’ve had on the docket to post, I realized that we never posted about it and since Platinum card credits have reset for the second half of the year it seemed like a good time to mention it: there is no longer free shipping on Saks.com orders under $100 $200.
It used to be that Saks was part of the Shoprunner shipping program and there have long been many ways to get Shoprunner for free. Shoprunner offered free 2-day shipping and free returns, which was a great benefit that probably mostly went unheralded….until it was gone.
Saks now offers a promo code (FREESHIP) for free shipping on orders of $100 $200 or more — but that means that if you’re just trying to spend $50 to use an Amex Platinum card credit, you’re likely to get hit with a ~$10 shipping charge. That reduces the value of the credit since it means you’ll get about $40 worth of “stuff” at most if you don’t want to spend out of pocket beyond the credit.
While you’ll probably have a hard time finding anything for $50 or less in-store at Saks, it is often possible to find a plethora of things for $50 or less online (See: Amex Platinum Saks credit: What can you get with $50?). This is of course relevant for those with a consumer Amex Platinum card since you can get up to $50 in statement credits for purchases between January and June and again between July and December (enrollment required).
This was an unfortunate change. Hopefully we’ll see a promotional deal for free shipping with smaller purchases around major shopping holidays, but at this point it looks like you may be stuck using some of the credit for shipping charges if you’re shopping online.
H/T: Reader Sarabjit.
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If you like nicer clothes, not necessarily designer, you can get them a great prices if you wait for a sale.I have bought shirts by Theory for around $50. These are shirts that are regularly price at $150.
bummer not nice SAKS
Saks is so self-destructive. This only means that they’re going to pay for more return shipping for stuff that gets sent back.
Well not really, because returns via mail are now charged $9.95 to be taken off the return price. Returns in store are still free but have to be done within 30 days of ordering date, but online returns are no longer free (as of 4/11 according to a comment on DOC)
Kinda of glad we downgraded a few Plats – we have typically bank Saks credits buying GC when traveling to cities with B&M stores.
One thing that has made the Sak’s credit semi- ok has been Rakuten stack around Black Friday~Cyber Monday 10~15% alongside the Sak’s promo for the past few years spend $200± and get a GC for $75 for use mid-December ( only.valid certain dates). Then stack again with Rakuten.
It does take a ton of time to look for items that have some value at a decent price – I keep wish list full with items (some have made great gifts).
What i miss is the Allen Brothers Waygu sliders – but Allen Brothers is no longer on the Sak’s platform.
$200 or $300…. Makes no difference to my shopping choices at Saks.
Just another nail in the coffin with Amex Platinum. The coupon book is getting weaker. XM radio is gone and others are being devalued.
Also Audible gone.
some serious cheapskates here.
Bingo. An author on another hobby blog recently shared similar sentiments. Sure, everyone wants a good deal, but someone who is reaping benefits by actually using the card will not be wringing one’s hands to ensure statement credits cover the annual fee. I recently saved $1500 in airfare via Amex’s International Airline Program. If I don’t capture the $100 Saks credit, I won’t miss it.
A shame they now require spending $200 and getting free returns on $100 of goods…
See you back here in 6 months for a $8.99 restocking fee
Only had to wait a month and its $9.95
haha fair enough! I’m lucky my office is within walking distance of the flagship location so returns are quite easy but this is certainly a hit on the Credit’s value when evaluating whether to keep the platinum…
I’ll just order $200 worth of stuff and return $150. Easy enough. Same as before but now I have to ship back three times as much.
I miss shoprunner! Why did they part ways?..It means I won’t Order anything but will visit physical store to use the $50 plat Amex credit!!
Saks returns are a nightmare, fraudulent process. We are closing 1 of 2 of our Plat cards because of this. Do not do business with this company.
Yup, returned the same exact item but they claimed it was a fake. Wouldn’t be surprised if they sent me the fake to begin with. Absolute nightmare to deal with theses scammers.
Wow, that is wild.
So people are buying stuff they will intentionally return to get around the free shipping issue and then are upset with Saks claiming stuff is fraudulent? Getting scammed while you are trying to scam someone else. Hmmm.
I never said I did that? I bought one thing to keep but ended up wanting to return it. Saks paying you for damage control?
Oh Gawd. Shut up.
“Platinum card credits have reset for the second half of the year” on 21 March? What?
Hard to give the Amex platinum credit much value with this change. I’m not going to spend $200 on an order, so now it cost $9.95 to use a $50 credit. Between this, removal of free guest access for centurion lounges, new limits on using SkyClubs, slashed digital entertainment credit, and later rollout date for next year FHR bookings… it’s getting pretty hard for me to justify paying the $695 AF.
It’s not for peasants to be sure
It did look like AmEx was going after the peasants with the coupon book.
I think free shipping now is $200. Yikes.
Enough with the ridiculous, chin diaper selfies already.
Get your own blog. It’s his blog so he can put whatever selfies he likes. If you don’t like it go elsewhere