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 $6500.(mid-statement). In fact, it will even kick in mid-purchase and a portion of the purchase will credit at the higher rate.
* Reward dollars for the previous statement period show up a day or two after the current statement period closes.
* Most cash back redemptions will be applied to your statement within 2–3 days.
* Helpful post regarding moving CL between cards. Thanks lad2
* How to Visually Distinguish the Three Types of Blue Cash Cards:
Blue Cash (old) has a "<" character to the left of the word CASH
Blue Cash Everyday has a circle to the right of the word CASH, with the "Everyday" wording at the back.
Blue Cash Preferred has the word PREFERRED printed vertically on the extreme left side.
If you get the error message "You cannot be logged in. Please contact the number on the back of your card." when trying to redeem Reward Dollars online, it may be because you have too many closed accounts still showing in your scrolling images of cards. Delete the closed ones, then try to redeem again.
Old Amex Blue (2013-2014)
#676
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 202
These Amex Blue products require you to wait an extra statement before your cash back posts. For example, cash back for purchases made in January won't post until the March statement closes.
So, relative to most other programs, this really does feel like a long time.
So, relative to most other programs, this really does feel like a long time.
#677
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 486
I applied for this card three weeks ago. Application was cancelled as a duplicate due to my November BCE. Called the same day or the next day and got them to put my application in for review. Not a peep since, and on the online status checker still says "in progress." Should I call, or be patient a bit longer?
#678
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK
Programs: *$ Gold :)
Posts: 1,061
I applied for this card three weeks ago. Application was cancelled as a duplicate due to my November BCE. Called the same day or the next day and got them to put my application in for review. Not a peep since, and on the online status checker still says "in progress." Should I call, or be patient a bit longer?
#679
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
#680
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 46
I had no bonus points awarded on Surpass and PRG at Safeway in December. Others have had problems as well.
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
#681
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 131
I had no bonus points awarded on Surpass and PRG at Safeway in December. Others have had problems as well.
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
I did chat online asking about my pending reward for Jan., seems I have to wait 5-7 days and then they can tell me.
#682
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
CVS is categorized as drugstore. Gas station category is fine as well. All I was saying was AMEX will take an action to screw things if people go crazy on this card. CVS mis-categorization was just an example of what happened in the recent past.
Last edited by vagrants; Jan 29, 2014 at 8:13 am
#683
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,036
I had no bonus points awarded on Surpass and PRG at Safeway in December. Others have had problems as well.
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
Called in about the missing Surpass points, but didn't want eyeballs on my PRG which had significantly higher MS. Some people rec'd letters from Amex saying there was an error in December and that points would be fixed on the next statement, but are reporting the new statements aren't showing any missing points.
Starting to look like Amex may have figured out how to code gift card purchases at Safeway?
#684
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
Glad you called. Many are "afraid" of AMEX finding their MS that they are not willing to call. I do not like these people. I've already called for the BCP. Now I need to call for the BC & CR cards.
#685
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 784
deleted
Last edited by wcj; Jun 29, 2014 at 3:32 pm Reason: dead
#686
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
In-store. I assumed online would not count, thus, I never have done. They were real spending. < $30/purchase. @ Meijer, it's not worth MSing since their higherst dom is $100 (YMMV...here that's the highest and can't buy reloads with CCs).
#687
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 784
deleted
Last edited by wcj; Jun 29, 2014 at 3:33 pm Reason: dead
#688
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
I also did not get 2x grocery bonus on my PRG for my December statement. It was multiple grocery stores - Safeway, Giant, Food Lion, etc. I noticed the following, which someone else also posted:
Just grocery purchase: 2x
Grocery+GC: 1x
Just GC: 1x
My January statement closed last week and it appears I got 2x on all grocery (gift cards included) for January, but we'll see when the points formally post.
Note I had a similar problem with gas stations (7-11) one month this past summer. One month was 1x, but the other months before and after at the same locations were 2x.
Just grocery purchase: 2x
Grocery+GC: 1x
Just GC: 1x
My January statement closed last week and it appears I got 2x on all grocery (gift cards included) for January, but we'll see when the points formally post.
Note I had a similar problem with gas stations (7-11) one month this past summer. One month was 1x, but the other months before and after at the same locations were 2x.
#689
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I also did not get 2x grocery bonus on my PRG for my December statement. It was multiple grocery stores - Safeway, Giant, Food Lion, etc. I noticed the following, which someone else also posted:
Just grocery purchase: 2x
Grocery+GC: 1x
Just GC: 1x
My January statement closed last week and it appears I got 2x on all grocery (gift cards included) for January, but we'll see when the points formally post.
Note I had a similar problem with gas stations (7-11) one month this past summer. One month was 1x, but the other months before and after at the same locations were 2x.
Just grocery purchase: 2x
Grocery+GC: 1x
Just GC: 1x
My January statement closed last week and it appears I got 2x on all grocery (gift cards included) for January, but we'll see when the points formally post.
Note I had a similar problem with gas stations (7-11) one month this past summer. One month was 1x, but the other months before and after at the same locations were 2x.
I may start putting something in with my purchases at CVS. I normally do this at grocery stores, but I haven't so far at our favorite drug store.
#690
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG
Programs: Hyatt Giraffe
Posts: 1,664
I applied for this card three weeks ago. Application was cancelled as a duplicate due to my November BCE. Called the same day or the next day and got them to put my application in for review. Not a peep since, and on the online status checker still says "in progress." Should I call, or be patient a bit longer?