Did Discover just bamboozle us?

Introduction

I’m sure all you Discover Apple Pay people know by now that Discover is asking for receipts for all of your large purchases to make sure you didn’t buy a gift card.   And it seems like most people got at least a 1 time ‘courtesy credit.’  I’m sure most people were happy with that 10% one-time courtesy credit, but did anyone think – what if Discover doesn’t double the courtesy credit next year?   What if every approved itemized receipt are all ‘courtesy credits’ and isn’t flagged for double cashback?  Think about it – the doubling of the cashback is probably programmed to catch all Discover Deals cashback, the 1% on purchases, unflagged Apple Pay cashback, as well any purchases [minus credits.]   Since this is a courtesy credit, this most likely won’t be doubled.

Think about a scenario where you forgot to pay your bill and you called in to ask them to make a 1 time waiver for $35 (or whatever the late fee is.)  It posts as a credit of $35.  There is no way in hell they are going to double that at the end of next year.  I’m just speculating here, but I think by Discover giving out these ‘courtesy credits’ for you sending them non-gift card receipts, they are off the hook in doubling the ‘cashback earned’ since it was a credit and not an earned purchase.  Genius move by their part.  Asshole move by their part.   Let’s see how this one plays out, but the moral of the story is – don’t be banking on 22%; we may all be only getting 11% of courtesy credits.