MastercardSallie Mae Rewards Mastercard
By Alex Compton · Last verified
5 percent on gas, groceries and Amazon-as-books, neutered in 2017.
Welcome Bonus
None
Discontinued
Spend Requirement
None
Annual Fee
$0
No FTF
Credit Score
670+
(Good)
Common Questions
Is the Sallie Mae Rewards Mastercard discontinued?
Yes. Discontinued. 5 percent on gas, groceries and Amazon-as-books, neutered in 2017.
What can I use instead of the Sallie Mae Rewards Mastercard?
The closest open alternatives we track are the Citi Strata Premier, Capital One Savor, Bilt Mastercard. Each links to our full review with its current offer and complete breakdown.
Open Alternatives
The Sallie Mae is gone, but these cards do a similar job and are still accepting applications.
3x on five everyday categories. The broadest mid-tier earner.
3% on dining, groceries, entertainment and streaming. No fee.
The only card that earns points on rent with no fee.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
Last verified 2026-06-11 · spot an outdated offer? Tell us in the comments.
Earning Rates
- 5xGas stations
- 5xGrocery stores
- 5xBookstores
- 1xEverything else
Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Benefits
- ✦Amazon gift card reloads at 5 percent through the bookstore category
- ✦Monthly caps reset 12 times a year instead of quarterly
Why it earns its spot
- +Triple 5 percent categories on a no-fee card
- +The 750 dollar monthly bookstore cap made it an Amazon card in disguise
Where it costs you
- −Tight monthly caps limited absolute earnings
- −Replaced overnight by a 2 percent card nobody wanted
The Compound Verdict
The Sallie Mae card paid 5 percent on gas, groceries and bookstores, and since Amazon coded as a bookstore the hobby treated it as a 5 percent Amazon card with a 750 dollar monthly allowance. Barclays stopped applications at the end of September 2016, and on March 1, 2017 existing cards were converted to the forgettable 2 percent Commence Mastercard, later folded into Barclaycard Rewards. Few nerfs were mourned louder.
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