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)
#5731
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I wonder why they don't just convert people to a more modern version of the card that pays out at the lower percentage rather than canceling them? And why leave that old link to apply active? Seems odd that AmEx is taking this approach. I was going to apply for this card, but it doesn't seem to make much sense now. Even if I went light on the MS, looks like I'd eventually get it shut down.
#5732
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
Just saw this post in the Amex subforum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23895695-post1.html
In particular:
CS also offered that I can email [email protected] with copies of my purchases and proof that they were eligible purchases.
So, if any one can explain why those gift cards were eligible....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23895695-post1.html
In particular:
CS also offered that I can email [email protected] with copies of my purchases and proof that they were eligible purchases.
So, if any one can explain why those gift cards were eligible....
#5734
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAC
Programs: Regal Crown Club
Posts: 488
Just applied for my wife the other day and she was instantly approved. This is her very first Amex ever. Got her a Bluebird as well. She said she wants to save some money on the rent ^ I wonder where she got that idea from
#5736
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
Similarly, I think a lot of people underestimate just how expensive medications can be. 'Name Brand' newish medications can easily exceed $500 for a 30 day supply. Some are considerably more expensive than that. Multiply that by a family of 5 and you are talking some serious cash outlay. Sure, it gets reimbursed eventually, but again it is easy to come up with scenarios of $2k-$5k of legitimate CVS spend.
Point is, Amex risks pissing off some VERY affluent customers if they draw that line too low. As someone else up-thread said, I think annual income probably plays a significant role here as well.
Point is, Amex risks pissing off some VERY affluent customers if they draw that line too low. As someone else up-thread said, I think annual income probably plays a significant role here as well.
may not be the best example, but I know before I had cards like these (reward CCs) I didnt step into very many drug or (new) grocery stores very often. now not only have I signed up for all their loyalty rewards program (CVS, K, WAGs etc) but many of the employees know me since I visit so often. complete 180 turnaround from this time 2 yrs ago. because of this a lot of my non-MS business is routed to these stores with random, last min purchases as well. whereas prev I'd much more discretionary with my cash.
Last edited by FTR 787; Nov 27, 2014 at 4:53 pm
#5737
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
OK, so a lot of the most valuable people have gone to private forums to discuss their great secret deals. So they are happy, and stuff that's posted here, short-lived quickly killed deals, will benefit some for a short time, and won't impact the private forum people (because there won't be cross-over because the deals are so secret, right?) So no need to keep complaining, just go to the private places and enjoy.
I wonder why they don't just convert people to a more modern version of the card that pays out at the lower percentage rather than canceling them? And why leave that old link to apply active? Seems odd that AmEx is taking this approach. I was going to apply for this card, but it doesn't seem to make much sense now. Even if I went light on the MS, looks like I'd eventually get it shut down.
plus as I noted above AMEX might already have deals and contracts in place with these EDS stores. programs like these dont come easily nor are they simple enough to just scrap. I bet complex back end deals are in play from unraveling this and will likely keep the card from being killed/or even overhauled completely unless they find loopholes to get out of it somehow. there are a lot of stakeholders, and like any bit of politics, diff folks are interested in diff results. that is the only silver lining for those of us who play this game, MS or otherwise -- opportunities/arbitrage in various forms will continue to exist as long as human nature continues to exist. lord save us from the day all of us turn into logical robots with only 1 or 0 for binary decisions.
Last edited by FTR 787; Nov 27, 2014 at 4:51 pm
#5738
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 190
Just saw this post in the Amex subforum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23895695-post1.html
In particular:
CS also offered that I can email [email protected] with copies of my purchases and proof that they were eligible purchases.
So, if any one can explain why those gift cards were eligible....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23895695-post1.html
In particular:
CS also offered that I can email [email protected] with copies of my purchases and proof that they were eligible purchases.
So, if any one can explain why those gift cards were eligible....
However I have used the Amex Blue cash to purchase lots of Gift cards 10-25K per month and I always send money from my bank account to Amex to avoid going over my credit limit."
Nice Amex card customer for sure
#5739
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 84
why do you think people like MM stopped inciting folks to sue AMEX left and right? he got every penny of his $17k back thru one persistent method.
Care to share what said method is? Would be most appreciated ^
cept with the bargaining power AMEX has, they are most likely getting L3 data and know what you're buying. so that excuse doesnt hold water. why do you think they partner with certain establishments for special promos and higher reward rates? you think these stores dont play ball when a behemoth like AMEX comes knocking? ... I'd deduce the deal is: eligible stores we'll (marginally) lower (or perhaps increase depending on negotiations) your IC rates in exchange for bringing a lot of business thru your doors guaranteed. and consumers we encourage you to goto these stores cause we'll pay you rewards above the industry avg. then you let impulse philosophy magic run its course in terms of spending beyond your means a bit for the avg consumer, esp without price comparison shopping and building loyalty for these stores. its a win win win.
may not be the best example, but I know before I had cards like these (reward CCs) I didnt step into very many drug or (new) grocery stores very often. now not only do have signed up for all their loyalty rewards program (CVS, K, WAGs etc) but many of the employees know since I visit so often. complete 180 turnaround from this time 2 yrs ago. because of this a lot of my non-MS business is routed to these stores with random, last min purchases.
Care to share what said method is? Would be most appreciated ^
cept with the bargaining power AMEX has, they are most likely getting L3 data and know what you're buying. so that excuse doesnt hold water. why do you think they partner with certain establishments for special promos and higher reward rates? you think these stores dont play ball when a behemoth like AMEX comes knocking? ... I'd deduce the deal is: eligible stores we'll (marginally) lower (or perhaps increase depending on negotiations) your IC rates in exchange for bringing a lot of business thru your doors guaranteed. and consumers we encourage you to goto these stores cause we'll pay you rewards above the industry avg. then you let impulse philosophy magic run its course in terms of spending beyond your means a bit for the avg consumer, esp without price comparison shopping and building loyalty for these stores. its a win win win.
may not be the best example, but I know before I had cards like these (reward CCs) I didnt step into very many drug or (new) grocery stores very often. now not only do have signed up for all their loyalty rewards program (CVS, K, WAGs etc) but many of the employees know since I visit so often. complete 180 turnaround from this time 2 yrs ago. because of this a lot of my non-MS business is routed to these stores with random, last min purchases.
#5740
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PHL based
Programs: USAir, UA, AA, BA, Hyatt, HHonors, SPG, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 356
Got the dreaded cancellation email this am.
CL 24k. Had done about 5k per month until sept when started to ramp up. Never went above CL. ALL spend was MS
CL 24k. Had done about 5k per month until sept when started to ramp up. Never went above CL. ALL spend was MS
#5742
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
I hate that my first post is a cancellation. Got it this morning. 25K CL with income to support it. Was doing under 10K/month spending on it recently. Got the card in January and was doing heavy (CL or more) spending until the demise of VRs. I experienced a FR at that time and passed with no CL changes.
I continued using the card even after the notices of cancellation appeared on this forum last month. I figured I was safe -- or at least the opportunity costs merited the risk of continued use. My closing date is today -- so AMEX waited until the optimum time for them to close the account. I'm out about $1K of Reward Dollars for the past 2 months of use.
I did pay off partial balances mid-month using BlueBird/Serve billpay.
Most (but not all the charges) were MS, mainly CVS.
I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving also, AMEX.
I continued using the card even after the notices of cancellation appeared on this forum last month. I figured I was safe -- or at least the opportunity costs merited the risk of continued use. My closing date is today -- so AMEX waited until the optimum time for them to close the account. I'm out about $1K of Reward Dollars for the past 2 months of use.
I did pay off partial balances mid-month using BlueBird/Serve billpay.
Most (but not all the charges) were MS, mainly CVS.
I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving also, AMEX.
#5743
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 274
To those that have been shutdown, has anyone tried to reallocate your credit line from the closed Blue Cash to another AmEx card that is still open?
#5745
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
...
I continued using the card even after the notices of cancellation appeared on this forum last month. I figured I was safe -- or at least the opportunity costs merited the risk of continued use. My closing date is today -- so AMEX waited until the optimum time for them to close the account. I'm out about $1K of Reward Dollars for the past 2 months of use.
....
I continued using the card even after the notices of cancellation appeared on this forum last month. I figured I was safe -- or at least the opportunity costs merited the risk of continued use. My closing date is today -- so AMEX waited until the optimum time for them to close the account. I'm out about $1K of Reward Dollars for the past 2 months of use.
....
I encourage everyone to call and let them know you won't be doing business with AMEX anymore if they don't pay out. I sure as hell will talk all my friends and relatives out of it. It's become a lot easier now, since AMEX lost a lot of clout in the travel card market.