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The American Express Blue Card was last reviewed on 11th July 2008.
Summary - We recommend the Blue from American Express® to those looking for a no annual fee travel or shopping credit card as the reward program (Membership Rewards Options) is perhaps the most comprehensive credit card reward program in the market. You can earn unlimited points which do not expire.
Reward Formula - The American Express Blue Card allows you to earn one point for every dollar you spend on the card. You can earn unlimited points which do not expire. The American Express Membership Rewards First program is the reward program for the Blue card. It has 21 airline partners which you can transfer points into air miles (two points for one air mile) and 15 hotel partners in which you can either exchange points for frequent guest points, get hotel certificates or select from 250 hotels to stay in. There are also numerous cruise, shopping and entertainment rewards.
Other travel or shopping benefits - The American Express Blue card has the following travel and shopping benefits.
1. It allows cardholder to make purchases at shopamex.com, a shopping comparison site designed for Amex cardholders. You can also redeem points for your purchases.
2. You can earn double points when you make your travel arrangements with American Express Travel.
3. You can get a $100 credit back into your statement if you spend $3,000 on a qualifying vacation using your card at participating American Express Travel Services.
4. Buyers Assurance - This program essentially doubles your warranty for products you have purchases up to a limit of one extra year. Coverage is good for up to a purchase of $10,000 and up to $50,000 worth of purchase a year.
5. Purchase Protection Plan - under this plan, you can return any purchase you make if it is accidentally damaged within 90 days. You are covered up to $1,000 per
incident and up to $50,000 per year.
6. American Express Selects - American Express has partnered with many merchants worldwide to offer discounts to cardholders. Those who travel a lot may find this beneficial.
Fees - There is no annual fee. You get a 0% introductory apr on purchases for either 6,12 or 15 months depending on your credit. You will also get a
4.99% apr on balance transfer for the life of the balance transfer. The apr is either prime rate plus 3.99%, 5.99%, 8.99% or 10.99%. The average daily balance method (including new purchases) is used to calculate monthly balances.
Verdict - I highly recommend the Blue from American Express® as it has a great reward program and it also has no annual fee. It is not the best card for travel rewards, but for merchandize and other stuff, nothing beats this card.
Furthermore, you can get a 0% APR for purchases for up to 15 months.
Positives
Comprehensive reward programNo annual fee0% introductory offer on purchasesEarn unlimited pointsReward points do not expire
| Blue from American Express® |
| Reward Benefits |
| Point Accumulation |
Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend |
| Point Expiration |
No expiration |
| Cost/Fees/Interest rates |
| Introductory rate |
0% apr on purchases for either 6, 12 or 15 months
4.99% on balance transfer for life |
| Annual Fee |
No annual fee |
| Purchase APR |
Prime Rate plus 3.99%, 5.99%, 8.99% or 10.99% |
| Cash Advance APR |
Prime Rate plus 14.99% |
| Penalty/Default Rate APR |
Prime Rate plus 12.99% or 21.99% |
| Min Finance Charge |
$0.50 |
| Grace Period |
20 days |
| Balance Calculation Method |
Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) |
| Balance Transfer Fee |
No balance transfer fee during introductory offer |
| Cash Advance fee |
3%, min $5.00 |
| Over-the-credit-limit fee |
$35.00 |
| Late Payment fee |
$15.00 - less than $100
$29.00 - between $100.00 to $1000.00
$35.00 - greater than $1000.00 |
Apply for the Blue from American Express®
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