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)
#1201
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 301
Yes, but if you have other CC that gives >1x on CVS, I'd put 1x charge on the card (online GCs, etc) for the 1st $6500 and use the other CC at CVS to get higher overall return.
#1202
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL
Posts: 930
Could you please explain your reasoning? I would think that since you are getting 1% only, the lower $3.95 activation fee (compared to $5.95 with most GCs) would make VRs the more attractive option.
#1203
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Platinum Pro, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 215
To add another time point for Product Change:
I called AMEX to see if I can product change either one of my Blue Cash Everyday cards (i have two, a rep misunderstood me and ended up applying me for a new BCE card with no BONUS ), the rep put me on hold for about 10-15 min, came back and told me there is no way for him to do that on either card. He did sound genuinely trying to help though - so I guess it's a no-go.
Sad thing is... That previous rep also changed my old BC to BCE card, that's why i ended up with 2 BCE cards.
I called AMEX to see if I can product change either one of my Blue Cash Everyday cards (i have two, a rep misunderstood me and ended up applying me for a new BCE card with no BONUS ), the rep put me on hold for about 10-15 min, came back and told me there is no way for him to do that on either card. He did sound genuinely trying to help though - so I guess it's a no-go.
Sad thing is... That previous rep also changed my old BC to BCE card, that's why i ended up with 2 BCE cards.
Last edited by jazzmailman; Mar 13, 2014 at 7:56 pm Reason: info
#1204
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Platinum Pro, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 215
Question for those of you who got it via the link in the wiki... this offer doesn't come with any extra bonus $ right? not even $50 per $1000 spend?
Thanks
Thanks
#1207
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
Not to mention that you don't have to deal with driving to a WM several times a month and frustrating WM cashier reps to load your BB account.
#1208
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 784
Commdiver, look at the returns..... You are going to pay the fees and buy VRs, regardless of which card you use.
#1209
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Just applied for this card. Instantly approved. My only other Amex is the BCP from 90ish days ago which was also instantly approved. This one however has over half the credit limit as my BCP. I plan to call up and see if I can transfer some credit limit since I would use this one a lot more than the other.
#1210
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
To add another time point for Product Change:
I called AMEX to see if I can product change either one of my Blue Cash Everyday cards (i have two, a rep misunderstood me and ended up applying me for a new BCE card with no BONUS ), the rep put me on hold for about 10-15 min, came back and told me there is no way for him to do that on either card. He did sound genuinely trying to help though - so I guess it's a no-go.
Sad thing is... That previous rep also changed my old BC to BCE card, that's why i ended up with 2 BCE cards.
I called AMEX to see if I can product change either one of my Blue Cash Everyday cards (i have two, a rep misunderstood me and ended up applying me for a new BCE card with no BONUS ), the rep put me on hold for about 10-15 min, came back and told me there is no way for him to do that on either card. He did sound genuinely trying to help though - so I guess it's a no-go.
Sad thing is... That previous rep also changed my old BC to BCE card, that's why i ended up with 2 BCE cards.
#1211
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,066
I applied and was instantly approved, but I never received any confirmation e-mail. I applied using incognito mode then lost the "congratulations" page after I tried to login to my existing AmEx account. Hopefully things went through smoothly.
#1212
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 301
This comes to play when you have BC and another card that gives >1x, in this case, I'd use the card that gives >1x for CVS and put other 1x spend on BC until $6500 is reached then start it on CVS. This is to maximize overall return, regardless what you buy at CVS.
#1213
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
Right, but it depends on the whole picture. You might have a better card for the spend you put on the Blue too (likely if you are only getting 1%) , and if the difference is greater there than the difference at CVS, you should load up at CVS!
#1214
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 190
Just applied for this card. Instantly approved. My only other Amex is the BCP from 90ish days ago which was also instantly approved. This one however has over half the credit limit as my BCP. I plan to call up and see if I can transfer some credit limit since I would use this one a lot more than the other.
#1215
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
Does anyone have BCP and BC? I've got both along with SPG. My issue is maxing out rewards with limits I currently have. My SPG has a $15k limit I can't move that till my account is 12 months old.
My BC limit is $2k.
My BCP limit is $11k.
I was originally going to finish off BCP's $6K annual spending then transfer as much as possible to BC. Anyone see any reason for me to keep BCP? I would like to limit the number of cards I have but don't want to leave anything on the table either.
My BC limit is $2k.
My BCP limit is $11k.
I was originally going to finish off BCP's $6K annual spending then transfer as much as possible to BC. Anyone see any reason for me to keep BCP? I would like to limit the number of cards I have but don't want to leave anything on the table either.