I was approved for a MINI card during my purchase and by applying for one, the dealer took an additional $40 off the vehicle price. Whether that was a ploy or not, I'm not sure. Not like it matters now.

Anyway, I was looking at their rewards program. What caught my eye was the save up to $5,000 on the next MINI and up to an additional $5,000 if financed through MINI financial services (up to $10,000 in savings).

So I thought to myself, sounds like a neat incentive to plan for the next 3 years after the warranty is up, can trade my 07 MINI in for a new one, use the reward points towards the next purchase, and everyone would be happy.

To qualify for the (first) $5,000 off, a person would need 500,000 points to redeem as such. To earn points, a typical non-car related purchase would be $1 = 1 point... For car related purchases like car wash, gas, tires, toll/ez-pass, MINI merchandise, etc, it would be $1 = 2 points.

Then I did some calculations. A person would need to spend $500,000 dollars just to be able to redeem a $5,000 voucher(?) off their next MINI. Either that or $250,000 worth of gas/tolls/MINI merchandise. Or a combination of both and be somewhere in between $250,000 - $500,000. All of that within a course of three years of course being the standard 3yr/36k warranty.

I do not make six figures a year (though I wish I did), however, this is my only peeve at the moment. I do like the fact that the card would have a picture of my MINI on it.

What is everyone's thoughts and experiences on the MINI Credit Card? Is there anything that's a 'bonus' that's not listed or made known on their website/handouts?

 

I got the card, mostly because it's got a picture of my car on it, and also because I knew I was going to have to put down a hefty deposit on a card so I might as well earn something from it.

I've already gotten a check for $50 to spend at the dealer on MINI Schtuff/Service just from my deposit and part of the car payment.

It's just a credit card, it's not really anything special, but if you don't have another 'points' card it's not bad. But if you're not planning on ever buying any accessories at the dealer (or another MINI) the rewards would be fairly pointless.

 

I had to have the card if only because Nilla was on it. I used it to buy her for the maximum the dealer would allow to earn points. Since our other card has much better interest and penalties I don't know if I'll ever use the mini card again for purchasing but I did flash it at the young hottie sitting in a MY Cab at the stop light as I was walking by her this morning )

 

I got the card because it has a pic of my car on it, and I use it all the time, but I pay it off each month, so it's a no cost - no fee thing for me. The bonus points will be just that.........although I am considering a new Clubman.........

 

after 5,000 in various expenses for work i got a measely $50 gift card to the dealership/ aside from the photo it does not provide much in perks

 

Depends on what you consider "worth" using. If you use a card already and don't get any rewards, sure. That's what I do. I use it and pay it off every month and every once in a while I call in my points. Last time I got a check large enough to pay for most of a JCW Steering Wheel and installation.

Someone already said something similar to this but I look at these bonuses as exactly that, a bonus. Plus I get a card with a picture of my sweet ride on it.

 

What I dislike about the card, is a variable APR, and a balance transfer APR.

I'll stick to Capital One.

 

Sounds like you have figure it out.

 

Modnar, greengobln: Did you use the points to redeem the $50 gift cards or did they send you that free of charge without asking? Is it only a one time offer or do they send continuous $50 gift cards after each 5,000 points earned and still have an open point balance?

Because if that's the case, I may grow to like using the card for purchases to get MINI gear as freebies.

 

As i remember the card does have insurance for rental cars. So that is a plus.

I have given up on the points. It would take me 20 years to get enough points for even a cup holder.

 

I did the math too and discovered I'll never spend enough to make much of a dent on a new car purchase. I'll stick with my airline card and get a free flight ever year or so.

 

There's a whole list of things you can do with your points (some are more worthwhile than others). When you want to redeem them for $50 at the dealer you have to call them up and ask them to send you a check. It's just a regular check for $50 made out to the dealer you specify.