The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I got a mailing promoting the new WMU Discover card.

I used to carry a WMU branded VISA. I just liked the Bronco picture on it for some reason, in financial terms it wasn't a very good deal, but I pay in full every month anyway so that didn't matter.

I always saw Discover as an entry level card. Not sure that is still true. Anyway I don't want one for that reason.

But the funny thing was, the promotional letter was sent over the name and signature of the president of the Alumni Association. Huh? I didn't know we had one anymore.

When they discontinued sending a dues reminder a few years ago, we called to ask why they hadn't sent an Alumni Association member card. they stumbled around but said well everybody is a member of that. So, we said, why didn't we get a card like usual? They said " well if you really MUST have one (acting like it was a bother), we will send you one. When it came it did NOT say Alumni Association, just some garbage about the concierge services. Never asked for anything after that. We have not heard anything about those "services" lately, have we?

So, what is this Alumni Association of which they speak? How did this guy get elected president of it? And how did it turn into a shill for Discover?

Just sayin'.

Honestly, I'm a convert in terms of Discover's image.

We have AMEX and VISA as well, but Discover's come a long way; we finally got one last year. The cash back / rewards program is on-par with the best ones out there, especially if you pay attention to the bonus categories and buy things with the "right" card accordingly. Beyond that, their customer service is as good as or better than any other card I've had. A real human (in the US, no less!) always picks up without having to hold - it's sad that I'm so excited about such a thing, but that's the state of customer service these days.

As for the WMU branded one, haven't seen that yet and likely wouldn't ever own one. No offense to my alma mater, but when it comes to credit cards I have a strict "what can you do for me" attitude. Rewards and cash back always come out on top.

Disingenuous?

They've got to cover the costs of a 320K administrator's salary, and a Collection Agency staff of 43 workers.

More to follow........

(07-18-2013 12:11 PM)stdatwmu Wrote:  As for the WMU branded one, haven't seen that yet and likely wouldn't ever own one. No offense to my alma mater, but when it comes to credit cards I have a strict "what can you do for me" attitude. Rewards and cash back always come out on top.

Completely and totally agree. I would never enter into a financial relationship based on any sort of allegiance I have with WMU or any other institution unless it directly benefits ME and MY BOTTOM LINE.

Though I would enter into a financial arrangement to get on CD/CD1/CD2's family cell phone plan.

The Alumni Association has been shills for all kinds of stuff for years. We've been getting mailings about life insurance from the Alumni Association monthly ever since graduation and we've never even been members.

I use Discover for most of my purchases and have been very happy with it. My card was set to expire 12/13 anyway so I called and had my account transferred to the new WMU card. Rewards transferred over and everything else stayed the same. I doubt I would sign up for a new WMU Discover card if I didn't think I'd use it but since I already had one and it was about to renew I went ahead and did it.

(07-18-2013 12:18 PM)Charm City Bronco Wrote:  

(07-18-2013 12:11 PM)stdatwmu Wrote:  As for the WMU branded one, haven't seen that yet and likely wouldn't ever own one. No offense to my alma mater, but when it comes to credit cards I have a strict "what can you do for me" attitude. Rewards and cash back always come out on top.

Completely and totally agree. I would never enter into a financial relationship based on any sort of allegiance I have with WMU or any other institution unless it directly benefits ME and MY BOTTOM LINE.

Though I would enter into a financial arrangement to get on CD/CD1/CD2's family cell phone plan.

No brainer

It's also worth noting that, on my recent trip overseas (Sweden/Denmark/Netherlands), my Discover was the most-accepted card.

AMEX basically never works over there, but I had more luck the Discover than my Visa - go figure!

...$0/0% foreign transaction fees on the Discover, too.

(07-18-2013 11:14 AM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  I got a mailing promoting the new WMU Discover card.

I used to carry a WMU branded VISA. I just liked the Bronco picture on it for some reason, in financial terms it wasn't a very good deal, but I pay in full every month anyway so that didn't matter.

I always saw Discover as an entry level card. Not sure that is still true. Anyway I don't want one for that reason.

But the funny thing was, the promotional letter was sent over the name and signature of the president of the Alumni Association. Huh? I didn't know we had one anymore.

When they discontinued sending a dues reminder a few years ago, we called to ask why they hadn't sent an Alumni Association member card. they stumbled around but said well everybody is a member of that. So, we said, why didn't we get a card like usual? They said " well if you really MUST have one (acting like it was a bother), we will send you one. When it came it did NOT say Alumni Association, just some garbage about the concierge services. Never asked for anything after that. We have not heard anything about those "services" lately, have we?

So, what is this Alumni Association of which they speak? How did this guy get elected president of it? And how did it turn into a shill for Discover?

Just sayin'.

If all graduates are members of the Alumni Association now, can I get the lifetime membership fee I paid years ago back? Don't think I have to ask. Sure of the answer already.

Got the email tonight. Details here:

http://www.discover.com/wmubroncos

(07-18-2013 03:35 PM)stdatwmu Wrote:  It's also worth noting that, on my recent trip overseas (Sweden/Denmark/Netherlands), my Discover was the most-accepted card.

AMEX basically never works over there, but I had more luck the Discover than my Visa - go figure!

...$0/0% foreign transaction fees on the Discover, too.

My favorite trip overseas yet, bar none. Been many other places, that trifecta is by fat the best.