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The PointCard Debit Card always seemed to good to last. Unfortunately, the end is near. Yesteday, PointCard notified cardholders that they are discontinuing the PointCard Neon (debit card) and eventually closing accounts. It sounds like they still anticipate launching a credit card, but the PointCard debit card will soon be no more.
The email sent to cardholders said in part:
I’m writing to inform you that we are sunsetting the PointCard Neon program by September 23, 2022. More details on the wind-down process, and important deadlines, are below and here. Bringing you the highest quality spending experience has been my singular focus for the past two years; it has been a pleasure to be your trusted partner.
Here are the key dates in summary:
- August 9, 2022: You will no longer be able to pull funds from the account
- August 24, 2022: You will no longer be able to use your card to make purchases.
- September 8, 2022: Your account will be disabled
- September 23, 2022: Your account will be closed.
You can find more info on this page.
Frankly, I never expected the PointCard to last as long as it did given the extremely generous promotions they ran. With near-monthly opportunities to earn amounts like $30 back on $200 when you used your card five days in a row and long ongoing rates of 3-5% cash back at places like Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart and Amazon, I just couldn’t see the economics working forever.
Still, the promotions and earnings were quite good for cardholders and I often say that you have to strike while the iron is hot. Those who did probably came out nicely ahead.
PointCard has been advertising a waiting list for a “Titan” credit card for many months. That was originally scheduled to launch this past spring, but it has said September 2022 for a while. Perhaps their plan was to test the systems and markets with a debit card and then eventually offer a credit card with similar perks? Time will tell I guess.
In the meantime, it’s time to start moving your money out of Point. I redeemed the remainder of my points shortly after receiving the email about accounts being discontinued. The only redemption option offered has been cash back. I had already redeemed most of my points for cash, but I had held out an iota of hope that there would be some combinability if they indeed launched a credit card since they were advertising some unique transfer partners coming on the credit card (promo materials included Lufthansa Miles & More for instance). It obviously doesn’t look like that will be the case now.
Keep in mind that after August 8th, you won’t be able to ACH pull out of the account, so you’ll want to get any funds out and/or spend them ASAP.
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RIP it was a fun go. Nice of them to refund the AF, probably legally bound to it, but P2 got in just as the deals dropped off. I figured it was the cost of the game. Nice to recoup 🙂
Just noticed they refunded a portion of the annual fee, so if you think you have no funds there, good idea to check your account.
It’s been pretty disappointing of late. Came out with a bang. End with a fizzle.