Last edit by: TheDapperDon
Bonus category spending is now capped at $50k per year for new accounts. For now, this does not apply to existing cardholders, although Amex may continue to close accounts for excessive spend in bonus categories. This card is less viable as an MS instrument. Consider factors that may have led to these closures when sharing personal experiences.
Oct 22, 2014 onwards: Many people getting cancellation email from Amex. As of Dec 13, 2014, shutdown reports continue. Shutdowns appear to be triggered by spending on the card or upon statement closure, but not always
Some who have been shutdown are reporting back that AMEX is declining new non-OBC card applications due to "unsatisfactory relationship". (However, see here for an example where reconsideration was successful.) It is unclear at this time the length/extent of this Adverse Action/Ban.
Others have succeeded in getting new cards, including new OBCs, but consider your relationship with Amex and how much you value that and this card when deciding how to use it.
There might be some impact with other issuers. If AMEX sends you a cancellation it goes on your record as a cancellation by AMEX, not a cancellation by cardholder. While FICO score does not distinguish between closed by issuer and closed by cardholder, on manual review it may raise questions. However, issuers close cards for benign reasons as well (such as non-use) so unless several cards have been closed it probably won't cause a rejection by itself.
So, if you still feel it is worth it:
Application Link: Copy & paste the following link into a incognito window in Chrome or InPrivate Browsing in IE, Private Session in Firefox. There have been reports of people who got the card in the last couple of months getting shut down because of the rush to spend the initial $6,500.
Do NOT post "Link isn't working" until you have tried it incognito/private browsing and it fails there.
Up to 5% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores (Everyday Purchases). Up to 1% Cash Back on other purchases. For your first $6,500¹ spend in a reward year², you will earn 1% on Everyday Purchases³ (5% after 6500⁴), and 0.5% on other purchases (then 1%).
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. (Presume these T&Cs are standard and that all credit cards state this)
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
¹ First '$6,500' is spend on all purchases.
² 'Reward year' is the 12 billing periods in a row beginning with the one in which the anniversary of your Card Account occurs.
³ 'everyday purchases' refers to U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores, not all purchases.
* Read the fine print for 'gas' purchases! Right from AMEX T&C's:
...Everyday Purchases are: ... $400 or less of gasoline at gas stations located in the U.S. (superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations)... A >$400 purchase at a gas station will get 5% for the first $400 and 1% thereafter. E.g., for something, say, $503.95, you would earn $21.04 CB [($400*5%)+(103.95*1%)].
⁴ 5% kicks in immediately after hitting $6500.(mid-statement). In fact, it will even kick in mid-purchase and a portion of the purchase will credit at the higher rate.
* Reward dollars for the previous statement period show up a day or two after the current statement period closes.
* Most cash back redemptions will be applied to your statement within 2–3 days.
* Helpful post regarding moving CL between cards. Thanks lad2
* How to Visually Distinguish the Three Types of Blue Cash Cards:
Blue Cash (old) has a "<" character to the left of the word CASH
Blue Cash Everyday has a circle to the right of the word CASH, with the "Everyday" wording at the back.
Blue Cash Preferred has the word PREFERRED printed vertically on the extreme left side.
If you get the error message "You cannot be logged in. Please contact the number on the back of your card." when trying to redeem Reward Dollars online, it may be because you have too many closed accounts still showing in your scrolling images of cards. Delete the closed ones, then try to redeem again.
Oct 22, 2014 onwards: Many people getting cancellation email from Amex. As of Dec 13, 2014, shutdown reports continue. Shutdowns appear to be triggered by spending on the card or upon statement closure, but not always
Some who have been shutdown are reporting back that AMEX is declining new non-OBC card applications due to "unsatisfactory relationship". (However, see here for an example where reconsideration was successful.) It is unclear at this time the length/extent of this Adverse Action/Ban.
Others have succeeded in getting new cards, including new OBCs, but consider your relationship with Amex and how much you value that and this card when deciding how to use it.
There might be some impact with other issuers. If AMEX sends you a cancellation it goes on your record as a cancellation by AMEX, not a cancellation by cardholder. While FICO score does not distinguish between closed by issuer and closed by cardholder, on manual review it may raise questions. However, issuers close cards for benign reasons as well (such as non-use) so unless several cards have been closed it probably won't cause a rejection by itself.
So, if you still feel it is worth it:
Application Link: Copy & paste the following link into a incognito window in Chrome or InPrivate Browsing in IE, Private Session in Firefox. There have been reports of people who got the card in the last couple of months getting shut down because of the rush to spend the initial $6,500.
Do NOT post "Link isn't working" until you have tried it incognito/private browsing and it fails there.
Code:
https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/blue-cash/25330
Up to 5% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores (Everyday Purchases). Up to 1% Cash Back on other purchases. For your first $6,500¹ spend in a reward year², you will earn 1% on Everyday Purchases³ (5% after 6500⁴), and 0.5% on other purchases (then 1%).
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. (Presume these T&Cs are standard and that all credit cards state this)
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
¹ First '$6,500' is spend on all purchases.
² 'Reward year' is the 12 billing periods in a row beginning with the one in which the anniversary of your Card Account occurs.
³ 'everyday purchases' refers to U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores, not all purchases.
* Read the fine print for 'gas' purchases! Right from AMEX T&C's:
...Everyday Purchases are: ... $400 or less of gasoline at gas stations located in the U.S. (superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations)... A >$400 purchase at a gas station will get 5% for the first $400 and 1% thereafter. E.g., for something, say, $503.95, you would earn $21.04 CB [($400*5%)+(103.95*1%)].
⁴ 5% kicks in immediately after hitting $6500.(mid-statement). In fact, it will even kick in mid-purchase and a portion of the purchase will credit at the higher rate.
* Reward dollars for the previous statement period show up a day or two after the current statement period closes.
* Most cash back redemptions will be applied to your statement within 2–3 days.
* Helpful post regarding moving CL between cards. Thanks lad2
* How to Visually Distinguish the Three Types of Blue Cash Cards:
Blue Cash (old) has a "<" character to the left of the word CASH
Blue Cash Everyday has a circle to the right of the word CASH, with the "Everyday" wording at the back.
Blue Cash Preferred has the word PREFERRED printed vertically on the extreme left side.
If you get the error message "You cannot be logged in. Please contact the number on the back of your card." when trying to redeem Reward Dollars online, it may be because you have too many closed accounts still showing in your scrolling images of cards. Delete the closed ones, then try to redeem again.
Old Amex Blue (2013-2014)
#4681
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 207
What effect will this have on our credit?
A person I know reapplied for the card and it as declined. The CSR said that the reason was that the previous account was 'unsatisfactorily maintained.'
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
A person I know reapplied for the card and it as declined. The CSR said that the reason was that the previous account was 'unsatisfactorily maintained.'
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
#4682
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DEN
Posts: 502
No adverse effects worth mentioning. Maybe a nosy CU will ask about it someday, major banks don't care. Card issuers also close accounts due to inactivity, not the end of the world.
#4683
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 14
What effect will this have on our credit?
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
I thought perhaps it was due to the current card being cancelled with the amount yet to be paid off (waiting on statement). I was going to pay it off and then call to ask about the CLI.
#4684
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
BOBBY VINTON
"Blue On Blue"
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
I walk the store I used to MS at and talk
Two by two, GCs to MOs into the pocket at my arse
And as they were once letting me buy, I could die
'Cause my card's not not here with me
Now the 5x deal are scarce
There's sadness in the air
And I got no Amex blue to MS with me
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
Night after lonely night, I still have 5x in dreams
As I go on a MS run with you to slide
You wait like a good open credit card, open credit card
That now is closed to me
Through a veil of tears
Your clear rectangle disappears
And I'm as blue as I can be
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
"Blue On Blue"
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
I walk the store I used to MS at and talk
Two by two, GCs to MOs into the pocket at my arse
And as they were once letting me buy, I could die
'Cause my card's not not here with me
Now the 5x deal are scarce
There's sadness in the air
And I got no Amex blue to MS with me
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
Night after lonely night, I still have 5x in dreams
As I go on a MS run with you to slide
You wait like a good open credit card, open credit card
That now is closed to me
Through a veil of tears
Your clear rectangle disappears
And I'm as blue as I can be
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
Blue gone blue now that we are through
Blue gone blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
#4685
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
Since I am starting to see XMAS stuff on the shelves of stores already, I figured THIS tune has to happen also:
ELVIS PRESLEY
"Blue Christmas"
I'll have no Blue at Christmas to 5x with you
I'll be so blue thinking about MS without you
Decorations of many redbirds hanging on a green Christmastree
Won't be the same monetary value dear, if my CB card's not here with me
And the when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
That's when those Amex blue memories start callin'
Amex'll be doin' all right, with its balance sheet set right
But I'll have a non-blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas
ELVIS PRESLEY
"Blue Christmas"
I'll have no Blue at Christmas to 5x with you
I'll be so blue thinking about MS without you
Decorations of many redbirds hanging on a green Christmastree
Won't be the same monetary value dear, if my CB card's not here with me
And the when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
That's when those Amex blue memories start callin'
Amex'll be doin' all right, with its balance sheet set right
But I'll have a non-blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas
#4686
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
I have really had a headache with OBC since last black Wednesday. I dont go to work tomorrow because I take a sick day off . Will I enjoy my sick day or bad day ?
#4687
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 58
I still don't understand what tomorrow will bring. I understand that it's the day after the dreaded closing date of the 27th. Why is the 27th any more special than any other day? Not all accounts close on the 27th of every month. What's so special about it? Am I missing something?
#4689
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL
Posts: 930
Sorry, but why do people keep saying "tomorrow" (Tuesday) in connection with the 27th? The 27th was Monday.
#4690
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA LT Gold 1MM ,Hyatt Explorist,Marriott Platinum,HHonors Diamond
Posts: 364
#4692
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
What effect will this have on our credit?
A person I know reapplied for the card and it as declined. The CSR said that the reason was that the previous account was 'unsatisfactorily maintained.'
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
A person I know reapplied for the card and it as declined. The CSR said that the reason was that the previous account was 'unsatisfactorily maintained.'
He then applied for a credit limit increase for another Amex card. This was declined with the reason being:
'You have previous delinquencies on your American Express account.'
So will this show up on the credit bureaus and lead to a domino effect with other CC issuers and with ability to get credit such as for a mortgage?
#4693
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,507
#4694
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 224
My statement closed with no cancellation. However, I have yet to see any of the reward dollars.
The actual statement isn't online yet either.
The actual statement isn't online yet either.
#4695
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
Got to pay your dues if you wanna use those Blues,
And you know it don't come easy.
You don't wanna be the one to shout and leap about,
While others play them easy.
Forget about the past and all your sorrows,
The future won't last,
It could soon be over tomorrow.
I don't ask for much, I don't want to go bust,
And you know it don't come easy.
And this MS stash of mine keeps growing all the time,
And you know it just ain't easy.
Open up your cards, let's come together,
Spend a little slower
And we will make it work out better.
(ah -)
(ah -)
(ooh-ooh)
(ah-ooh-ooh)
Got to pay your dues if you wanna use those Blues,
And you know it don't come easy.
You don't wanna be the one to shout and leap about,
While others play them easy.
Geez, remember weez is gonna make it,
Its still within your reach
Just slow down and you can take it.
I don't ask for much, I don't want to go bust,
And you know it don't come easy.
And this MS stash of mine keeps growing all the time,
And you know it just ain't easy.
You know it don't come easy.
It don't come easy,
You know it don't come easy.
Got to pay your dues if you wanna use those Blues,
And you know it don't come easy.
You don't wanna be the one to shout and leap about,
While others play them easy.
Forget about the past and all your sorrows,
The future won't last,
It could soon be over tomorrow.
I don't ask for much, I don't want to go bust,
And you know it don't come easy.
And this MS stash of mine keeps growing all the time,
And you know it just ain't easy.
Open up your cards, let's come together,
Spend a little slower
And we will make it work out better.
(ah -)
(ah -)
(ooh-ooh)
(ah-ooh-ooh)
Got to pay your dues if you wanna use those Blues,
And you know it don't come easy.
You don't wanna be the one to shout and leap about,
While others play them easy.
Geez, remember weez is gonna make it,
Its still within your reach
Just slow down and you can take it.
I don't ask for much, I don't want to go bust,
And you know it don't come easy.
And this MS stash of mine keeps growing all the time,
And you know it just ain't easy.