A benefit that has saved me quite a bit of money over time has finally been pulled…
In this post:
Mastercard pulls $5 Postmates discount
In April 2019, a variety of new benefits were introduced for US-issued World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard products. The benefit I got the most value out of was a $5 discount when placing a Postmates order of $25 or more.
For those of you not familiar with Postmates, it’s a food delivery service that I probably used way too much. It worked out great for me — I’d pay with my Citi Prestige, so that I’d earn 5x ThankYou points on dining, and I’d get a $5 discount.
Well, unfortunately this benefit is no longer available. As of September 14, 2020, Mastercard no longer offers a Postmates discount.
Postmates no longer offers a Mastercard discount
Current Mastercard World Elite benefits
With the Postmates discount having been pulled, what are the current World Elite Mastercard benefits? Among other things (like concierge service), you can take advantage of the following perks:
- Lyft — $10 in credit for every five rides taken in a calendar month, automatically applied to the next ride and capped at once per month
- Boxed — 5% cash rewards on Boxed purchases for use on future purchases
- ShopRunner — free membership to receive two-day shipping and free return shipping at over a hundred online retailers
You can still save on Lyft with Mastercard
Bottom line
Unfortunately Mastercard is no longer offering a Postmates discount for its premium credit cards. This is something that has saved me quite a bit of money since early last year, and I’m sad to see it pulled.
I’m not sure what exactly the financial arrangement was between Postmates and Mastercard — I’d assume Mastercard was paying very little for this, and Postmates was offering the discount to generate business and get new customers.
With food delivery services having become more popular during the pandemic, odds are that Postmates no longer felt the discount was necessary.
Did you ever take advantage of the Mastercard discount for Postmates?
(Tip of the hat to Scott)
For a couple who orders out pretty often, this was a fabulous benefit while it lasted given we were often just over $25 and it stacked with other promos. Definitely kept me on the Prestige longer than it otherwise would have and drove my business to Postmates over competing delivery services. Oh well, all good things must end.
@Paolo
If you or anyone else got a Mastercard just for the Postmates benefit, you might need to rethink how you decide which credit cards to get.
It does not show up on the order page but still getting the $5 off after the order is confirmed as of today!
@Paolo, try decaf.
@Paolo This benefit most likely was paid for by Postmates to get new customers and grow there business. After what a blockbuster year this has been for delivery companies, they most likely felt that there is no need to keep it around. The card at best covered only part of and would never offer it at the full $5 cost.
You could also stack this promo, if a restaurant was offering 5 bucks off for spending 20, you would get 10 bucks off for spending 25
Well, of course the sleazy banks and credit card companies initially load up the benefits to get people addicted to their products...only to take them away when they feel it’s safe to do so ( largely on the basis that the majority of customers DON’T cancel and look elsewhere, as it’s too much trouble). It’s deceptive, sly and reprehensible.
They’re only marginally better than drug dealing cartels; unfortunately they’re not pursued with any vigour...
Well, of course the sleazy banks and credit card companies initially load up the benefits to get people addicted to their products...only to take them away when they feel it’s safe to do so ( largely on the basis that the majority of customers DON’T cancel and look elsewhere, as it’s too much trouble). It’s deceptive, sly and reprehensible.
They’re only marginally better than drug dealing cartels; unfortunately they’re not pursued with any vigour by the FBI or regulatory authorities. It’s a pity because many of them belong in jail.
It may be that Postmates isn't long for this world after Uber bought them back in July to help its Uber Eats business.