Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
This thread includes all posts for 2016 onwards. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread is here. The 2015 thread is here.
This card is no longer available to new applicants!
Bonus category spending is now capped at $50,000 per year.
Oct 22, 2014 onwards: Many people getting cancellation email from Amex.
Amex may continue to close accounts for excessive spend in bonus categories. 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.
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.
Excessive MS on this card may sever your ties with Amex. Consider factors that may have led to these closures when sharing personal experiences.
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.
³ 'everyday purchases' refers to U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores, not all purchases.
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.
This card is no longer available to new applicants!
Bonus category spending is now capped at $50,000 per year.
Oct 22, 2014 onwards: Many people getting cancellation email from Amex.
Amex may continue to close accounts for excessive spend in bonus categories. 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.
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.
Excessive MS on this card may sever your ties with Amex. Consider factors that may have led to these closures when sharing personal experiences.
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.
³ 'everyday purchases' refers to U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores, not all purchases.
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 (2016 onwards)[not taking new applications]
#406
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I'm not saying this is a new policy, I consider it YMMV for now depending on rep you talk to unless others say they've also redeemed their current RD that is at least $25.
#407
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
#408
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 299
I had issues redeeming my RDs from last month. Statement cut on the 27th with zero balance but when I tried redeeming, it wouldn't progress to successful redemption so I called CS for assistance. Either I got lucky(?) or this has been going on that we can redeem RDs from current statement, not just last month's statement. I told CS I had trouble redeeming my RD and he said I can redeem not just last month's RD but current RD as well. Yes!!! I'll redeem all available RDs; I got email confirmation of the RDs redeemed that will post in 24 to 72 hrs. Had I known that by calling, I can redeem current RDs, I would've done it all the time so I can use the CBs for bank churning.
I'm not saying this is a new policy, I consider it YMMV for now depending on rep you talk to unless others say they've also redeemed their current RD that is at least $25.
I'm not saying this is a new policy, I consider it YMMV for now depending on rep you talk to unless others say they've also redeemed their current RD that is at least $25.
#409
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 43
Completely random question - new insurance bill can only be paid in a few stores if you want to use a CC - CVS is one of them. Had been using our business Spark for a few months until I realized it may show as Drugstore - has anyone else paid insurance at CVS who knows the coding?
On the Spark, it says" Appears on statement as: CVS/PHARMACY " -- and category is healthcare (never used Spark for normal drugstore purchases so not sure if that's what they all show up as, or if those would show as Drugstore like Amex)
If it would get 5% I'd wait til my 6500 and then use the obc to get 5% on all those payments. However if it doesn't I'll likely prepay some to get me to 6500 quicker.
On the Spark, it says" Appears on statement as: CVS/PHARMACY " -- and category is healthcare (never used Spark for normal drugstore purchases so not sure if that's what they all show up as, or if those would show as Drugstore like Amex)
If it would get 5% I'd wait til my 6500 and then use the obc to get 5% on all those payments. However if it doesn't I'll likely prepay some to get me to 6500 quicker.
#410
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Completely random question - new insurance bill can only be paid in a few stores if you want to use a CC - CVS is one of them. Had been using our business Spark for a few months until I realized it may show as Drugstore - has anyone else paid insurance at CVS who knows the coding?
On the Spark, it says" Appears on statement as: CVS/PHARMACY " -- and category is healthcare (never used Spark for normal drugstore purchases so not sure if that's what they all show up as, or if those would show as Drugstore like Amex)
If it would get 5% I'd wait til my 6500 and then use the obc to get 5% on all those payments. However if it doesn't I'll likely prepay some to get me to 6500 quicker.
On the Spark, it says" Appears on statement as: CVS/PHARMACY " -- and category is healthcare (never used Spark for normal drugstore purchases so not sure if that's what they all show up as, or if those would show as Drugstore like Amex)
If it would get 5% I'd wait til my 6500 and then use the obc to get 5% on all those payments. However if it doesn't I'll likely prepay some to get me to 6500 quicker.
CVS is a pharmacy so you will get 5% with OBC I would think if using CVS registers.
#411
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 43
I can get the 1%, but I'd rather get to 6500 with things that would only get me 2% otherwise, rather than something that could get me 5%. I don't really ms now, and many of our bills dont take Amex unfortunately.
#412
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Do believe that AMEX is trying to scare all its customers away. What else explains the logic of freezing accounts that receive points for referring new customers? Assume it is preparation for an upcoming financial crisis where they will be demanding taxpayer bailout money. When they stick out their hand, we taxpayers should dump a rat trap in it.
#413
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I know you are experienced in the hobby, what I don't understand is why you called? That's a quick way to have a human look at the acct. By waiting a week or two, it would straighten itself out. I don't jump on the RD when they post. I wait at least a week and have no problem on 3 RD cards over 3 years.
#414
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 350
I made them look at my account back in Feb because their YTD computation was a lot less than my computation; they didn't include purchases from last quarter of last year and OBC goes by anniversary year, not calendar year like BCE and BCP. They sent email that necessary correction was made and I've already met the $6.5K. There are instances that don't correct themselves, it is up to us to follow up and if it requires looking into the account, so be it. If only they did NOT disable the chat feature, I prefer to chat than call. Other than that, I'm satisfied with AXP customer service these days.
#415
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,050
A new reward year just started for my wife's OBC. I am curious whether the first $6.5k in Simon Mall VGCs still trigger the 5% CB for the next $50K in bonus categories. Amex's system didn't count spending on SMVGCs for meeting the signup bonus requirement of the MB Platinum card earlier this year. Thanks!
#416
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,524
A new reward year just started for my wife's OBC. I am curious whether the first $6.5k in Simon Mall VGCs still trigger the 5% CB for the next $50K in bonus categories. Amex's system didn't count spending on SMVGCs for meeting the signup bonus requirement of the MB Platinum card earlier this year. Thanks!
#418
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 65
Hi Guys - My first reward year just ended like 2 weeks ago, but the website hasn't updated it showing the dates of the new reward year. Does this normally take a little bit of time to reset? I'm going to start working on the min spen right now.
#419
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
My reward year hasn't reset on the webpage after three months! But the actual cash-back benefits seem to have reset like they were supposed to.