Jan 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
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)
Feb 23, 2014, 7:27 am
#961
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
Regarding the use of the Rewards Dollars, I just went and redeemed a part of mine. But they don't apply until the next statement.
So basically, you have to wait one extra statement for the RD to post, and then another statement after you use them to deduct from your balance. That is 2 statements in waiting mode. I was aware of the 1 month wait for earning them. But not the one month wait for using them.
This basically makes it hard to keep your Amex CC interest free and using the RD for statement credits. Right now, my BC has a 0% APR, so I am ok just paying the minimum payment, and wait for the RD to deduct from the balance. But after the introductory APR is over, it will get tricky.
What are your best practices to avoid pitfalls in using the RD for balance statements?
So basically, you have to wait one extra statement for the RD to post, and then another statement after you use them to deduct from your balance. That is 2 statements in waiting mode. I was aware of the 1 month wait for earning them. But not the one month wait for using them.
This basically makes it hard to keep your Amex CC interest free and using the RD for statement credits. Right now, my BC has a 0% APR, so I am ok just paying the minimum payment, and wait for the RD to deduct from the balance. But after the introductory APR is over, it will get tricky.
What are your best practices to avoid pitfalls in using the RD for balance statements?
Example: Statement closes, 2K balance. 1K is for MS activity and 1K is a membership to your pool for the year.
Week after the statement closes you take your 1k MS stuff and make a payment, then you go to CVS and buy 2 VR, load to BB and pay your card. You have now paid your balance and no interest will be generated.
Sooner or later you'll have to pay that 1K membership (unless you reduce it with reward dollars), but you shouldn't concern your self with the APR.
Feb 23, 2014, 3:57 pm
#962
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
I always pay off even with 0apr, I don't want high balance on the card.
Feb 23, 2014, 5:22 pm
#963
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Posts: 271
I never PIF unless I plan to apply for new credit.
Take advantage of the 25 day float as much as u can. It's interest free and your creditor reports a high balance which could result in higher credit lines across the board.
Take advantage of the 25 day float as much as u can. It's interest free and your creditor reports a high balance which could result in higher credit lines across the board.
Feb 23, 2014, 6:04 pm
#964
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Apologies if these questions have been answered before, but I feel they are important yet hard to search for.
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
Feb 23, 2014, 6:07 pm
#965
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Apologies if these questions have been answered before, but I feel they are important yet hard to search for.
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
Feb 23, 2014, 6:15 pm
#966
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 546
I don't carry balances on any other cards. Not sure the total util %. Maybe around 10%. It probably drags my fico a bit, yet my score ranges from 740 to 770 which is enough to get the cards I want (with occasional calls to recon.)
Feb 23, 2014, 6:28 pm
#967
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: The Empire State
Programs: CO (RIP), US (RIP), Amtrak. Lots of CC programs.
Posts: 442
Apologies if these questions have been answered before, but I feel they are important yet hard to search for.
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
When AMEX says that everyday categories go from 1% to 5% cash back after $6500 spend, does that $6500 refer to those everyday categories or all purchases?
Also, will it be 5% for the rest of the calendar year (2014) or for 12 months from time of opening account (until 2/2015)?
12 months from time of opening account
Feb 23, 2014, 6:51 pm
#968
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
From the Cardmember Agreement:
For your first $6,500 of eligible purchases in the 12 billing periods in a row beginning with the one in which the anniversary of your Card Account occurs (reward year), you will receive a reward of 1% on Everyday Purchases and a reward of 0.5% on all other eligible purchases. For each dollar of eligible purchases in excess of $6,500 in that same reward year, you will receive a reward of 5% on Everyday Purchases and a reward of 1% on all other eligible purchases.
Feb 23, 2014, 8:29 pm
#969
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: The Empire State
Programs: CO (RIP), US (RIP), Amtrak. Lots of CC programs.
Posts: 442
Feb 24, 2014, 7:44 am
#970
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I MS over multiple cards. I ALWAYS carry a balance. I see no point in paying off before the statement closes unless I am applying for a new card and want a lower utilization. IMO, it's better to put that extra cash into a RCA or high interest savings/money market account and gain interest than pay off my credit card bill. Could I pay it off in full each month? Sure but I prefer not to. Typically I just move balances between cards, i.e. buy GCs or load BB/Serve with one credit card to pay off another cc bill.
Feb 24, 2014, 7:48 am
#971
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
just as a factoid. the "everyday purchases" refers to gas, drug stores, and grocery stores, not all purchases.
If it was 5% on all purchases, this card would have alot more attention than it already does.
If it was 5% on all purchases, this card would have alot more attention than it already does.
Feb 24, 2014, 7:50 am
#972
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 920
Lol, thanks for pointing it out, I was wondering who was going to tell those poor souls it's not 5% on all purchases ^
Feb 24, 2014, 8:56 am
#973
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
Was anyone suggesting that it was? The recent question was about the $6,500 initial spend before you get 5% on every day purchases. That is indeed met by spend on all purchases.
Feb 24, 2014, 10:25 pm
#975
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
So I've read about backdating, but didn't know exactly how it worked. Well now I do!
I had an Amex back in college (I think it was the original Amex Blue, definitely a clear card) with an open date in 1997. It got closed long ago because I never used it and it only had a $600 CL. According to CreditKarma and Equifax (via Target freebie) my new Amex Blue Cash has an open date in 1997! Did not have to call for the backdate and there was a very large gap between the old card being closed and the new card being opened.
I had an Amex back in college (I think it was the original Amex Blue, definitely a clear card) with an open date in 1997. It got closed long ago because I never used it and it only had a $600 CL. According to CreditKarma and Equifax (via Target freebie) my new Amex Blue Cash has an open date in 1997! Did not have to call for the backdate and there was a very large gap between the old card being closed and the new card being opened.