Readers Love Blue Cash from American Express

Lots of readers are earning a TON of money using the Blue Cash from American Express credit card. Here are a few comments from my recent blog post titled Reader Earns a Ton with Amex Blue:

My wife and I just got back $696.44 on our AMEX Blue in our first year using it! We use a combination of the AMEX Blue and Chase Cash Freedom card. We use the Chase Cash Freedom card for our monthly expenses of the following three categories to get 3% cash back: (1) telecommunications; (2) cable/satellite TV/Internet service providers; and (3) gym/recreation memberships. We then use our AMEX Blue for everything else, including of course the Gas, Grocery and Drug store. From the AMEX "Cash Tracker" it appears that for our purchases about 20% where for Bonus Categories, and the other 80% was for regular purchases. I was extremely happy about our bonus program! I am a huge fan of the card and think it is a great way to earn some extra money, while paying off the card multiple times a month, so I never carry any balance.

Sounds like they are using the same strategy I am to maximize cash back rewards.

Here's another commenter doing the same thing:

We got turned on to the blue cash card last year after starting to read your blog... two months ago we reached our 1 yr anniversary w/ a $847 payout. We are now pursuing the two-card option with the addition of the chase freedom card. I really enjoy having the AE/VISA combo as an option, with the additional 3% float for 15-20 days each month, and no free cash in my pocket.

$847 is nothing to sneeze at!!!!!!

One more comment:

I got $652 for my first year with Amex Blue Cash. The return rate was 2.12%. My wife and I put everything possible on the card and pay it off each month. Our normal expenditures include tithe, gas, groceries, insurance payments, and auto service. We also eat out once every week or two with family and friends. We pay the bill with our card and they pay use cash for their portions of the bill. I need to look into paying my mortgage with the card. That would add another $400 or so to our rewards.

Any cash back return over 2% -- especially using one card only -- is a GREAT result in today's market, especially since 1% cash back is what many people are settling for.

Comments

[sahm]

We have a blue cash card that we use when doing major remodel projects, etc. This way we easily meet the minimal amount to spend that gives the biggest rebate. But, we use our Costco True Earnings AX most of the time, especially for gas. We are now getting 3% back on gas, and it isn't a graduate increase (i.e. 3% after $5000 or something like that).

[Angie]

I am looking for a new card to maximize my rewards. Unfortunately I don't think I'll settle on this one if I don't have to but on a side note.

If you are an authorized user for one credit card (my fiance is the primary account holder) can you apply for the same card yourself (and then add him as an authorized user). Effectively having two of the exact same cards. And I mean the same exact card as in you would have two AMEX blue cards.

Along the same lines, is it bad to have all your credit cards from the same company? I currently have 3 cards from citibank, and if I follow though with my plan I will have 4. I don't want to cancel any since I will use two for permanent rewards, one is my oldest credit card, and the other only has an interest rate of 7% for emergencies.

[Karma Police]

Just a comment on using a rewards card for tithing (teething?): If you're getting 1% or 2% back on your 10% tithe, aren't you shorting your tithe? Not to mention that Amex is taking a slice of that 10% for themselves above your cut, further decreasing the amount of your contribution to the church's work.

I would think this is a situation where a check is more appropriate -- if you're going to stick to a 10% tithe.

[David]

I agree with the previous poster. Donating to your church with a credit card is just wrong. It ends up costing them part of your donation. It may be time to rethink what is really important to you.

[jim]

We've switched to Amex Blue versus a ToysRUs Visa.
I'm happy to get the cash back versus credit to spend on toys.

A bit dissapointed though because AmEx is not accepted by our local grocery stores, Giant and Weis/Kings. We also buy a good bit of our groceries at WalMart which does not count as groceries in the rebate calculation. I live close to work so don't have significant gas expense.

All in, I expect we'll get somewhere between 1%-2% savings but nothing like I had hoped.

[Andy]

I just switched from the United Visa to AMEX blue (see recent post on detailed reasons) and ended up saiving $60 in annual fees straight up. Also, the cash back rewards are more valuable than the united points and much more flexible. That was my best finance move of the month....

[justin]

Just a comment regarding the Chase Freedom card, it also comes in a Mastercard format, so you can use it at Sam's club.

[mark]

I'm a little over 6 months into using my blue card, and I'm disappointed by the rewards program. I've already passed the $6500 mark, but it seems only $150 of that has qualified as bonus spending. It seems none of the grocery stores or gas stations I frequent qualify ?!?! Definitely going to be looking at switching to something else if this continues.

[FMF]

Mark --

Not everything that you or I might call a "grocery store" qualifies -- it depends on the processing code set up by the business when they started operation. That's why it's best to do some test charges to see what qualifies at what level.