[meristohm]

Yikes. I know it's just an example, but how often do "normal" people buy TVs?

I gave up videogames because I didn't want to spend so much time in my head like that (I'll still gladly play tabletop games with other people, and even couch-coop videogames if I'm invited too, but I gave away my gaming PC), and I sure don't want to spend time fiddling with credit-card points games. It helps that we're mostly unhooked from "retail therapy" or whatever the term is these days.

What are the costs of cc points games? Who pays in the long run?

[TylerE]

A TV specifically? Maybe once a decade. But, what if it's a new computer, or a new couch, or whatever? Substantially more often. Their minimum threshold is only $250, although items are specifically elibile, not automatic. They'll happily do the 12 month deal on a $399 iPad mini, for instance, just to name one thing I spot checked).

[hyperdimension]

> Who pays in the long run?

People who only use cash for in-person transactions for privacy reasons. :(