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Online bonus malls from credit card issuers have been disappearing one by one in recent years, and Discover's will be the next to go.
The issuer is discontinuing its generous Discover Deals program, effective Nov. 1. (The program will be available through Oct. 31.) Discover Deals offers 5% or more in bonus cash back or instant discounts on purchases made through select vendors. The program featured deals that could be used both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. For Discover cardholders who took advantage of the promotions the mall offered, the news is a downer.
The issuer says that moving forward, it will be focused on providing “simpler and more meaningful ways for our cardmembers to earn rewards.” While the program is ending, the types of deals it included aren’t going away completely. “Discover cardmembers will continue to receive targeted promotions and offers from top merchants and retailers,” Discover said in an emailed statement.
Before Nov. 1, the program will remain the same, the issuer confirmed.
American Express, Bank of America® and Capital One have also ended their bonus mall programs in recent years. However, they each still offer certain promotions with select merchants. American Express now promotes deals through AmEx Offers, Bank of America® has BankAmeriDeals, and Capital One partners with various merchants to offer promotions (for example, with partners such as Uber, Spotify and, most recently, Hotels.com).
While the impending demise of Discover Deals will be disappointing to those who use it, it’s worth noting there are other opportunities to earn more rewards on your credit cards. Third-party cash-back sites such as Ebates or BeFrugal, for example, could help you boost your earnings for free.
Previously, Discover announced that its price protection program would end on Oct. 31. Earlier this year, the issuer discontinued several other benefits — extended warranty, purchase protection, return guarantee, flight accident insurance and rental car coverage.
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