topic Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP in Credit Card Applications

Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

Genbu — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 13:00:06 GMT

Hey all,

I am interesting in getting into the Amex ecosystem, and am thinking to start with one of their Bluecash cards before deciding if I should commit to Green or Gold. Besides the SUB, I like having the 0 APR intro, considering how high my interest rate is on my HYS account.

For those experienced with Amex, do you think it is best to start with the BCE, and wait for an upgrade offer to the BCP? I can definitely come close to maximizing the annual Grocery spend. But from what I understand, to maximize the SUBs, I can start with the BCE and likely get an offer to upgrade. I doubt I can start with BCP and proceed to get a BCE SUB, is that correct? Besides the SUB, the BCE does not add much to my CC profile (I already have 3% on gas, plus the 2.5% flat Alliant Cashback - yes I actively bank with Alliant). The BCP would actually add something positive to my CC profile long-term - the 6% on groceries. But I want to maximize SUBs as I get myself into the Amex ecosystem.

I don't think I will have trouble qualifying for either:

My TU and Equifax will be around 760, Experian around 780.

8% total utilization (one card with 28%, just cruising with a 0 apr period)

0/3, 0/6, 1/12, 5/24 at time of application. Clean payment history.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

PNWRambler — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:44:44 GMT

If your annual reward points would come out higher than your annual fee, then I would just get the BCP from the start. BCE and BCP both have a 0% intro period, BCP is just 3 months shorter. For me, the extra 3% on groceries that I would earn would barely break even with the AF so I have stuck with BCE. I have had my BCE for 10 years now and I'm a big fan of AmEx, but I have not been able to justify the green or gold either - just based on my personal spending habits and the benefits of my other cards. Although I have ran the numbers multiple times and considered them, and someday that may change.

I can't say how it works with the SUB's if you do a PC, I haven't experienced that myself.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

SouthJamaica — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:48:00 GMT

@Genbu wrote:
Hey all,

I am interesting in getting into the Amex ecosystem, and am thinking to start with one of their Bluecash cards before deciding if I should commit to Green or Gold. Besides the SUB, I like having the 0 APR intro, considering how high my interest rate is on my HYS account.

For those experienced with Amex, do you think it is best to start with the BCE, and wait for an upgrade offer to the BCP? I can definitely come close to maximizing the annual Grocery spend. But from what I understand, to maximize the SUBs, I can start with the BCE and likely get an offer to upgrade. I doubt I can start with BCP and proceed to get a BCE SUB, is that correct? Besides the SUB, the BCE does not add much to my CC profile (I already have 3% on gas, plus the 2.5% flat Alliant Cashback - yes I actively bank with Alliant). The BCP would actually add something positive to my CC profile long-term - the 6% on groceries. But I want to maximize SUBs as I get myself into the Amex ecosystem.

I don't think I will have trouble qualifying for either:
My TU and Equifax will be around 760, Experian around 780.
8% total utilization (one card with 28%, just cruising with a 0 apr period)
0/3, 0/6, 1/12, 5/24 at time of application. Clean payment history.

IMHO the BCE is a better value than the BCP. Even if Amex extended an upgrade offer I wouldn't bite.

Primary reasons: (1) BCE offers 3% on online shopping, BCP doesn't, (2) BCP has annual fee.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

GZG — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:00:43 GMT

if you want both subs, just get both cards

you'll still remain eligible to get the much smaller bonuses for upgrading back to a BCP in the future if you want

agree with above, unless you have BoA, BCE is a keeper card for the online retail category

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

DJRobbieD — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:11:40 GMT

@Genbu -- Some things to consider as you decide whether to apply for the BCP vs the BCE:

The BCP SUB is $250 (for $3k spend in 6 months), which is $50 higher than the BCE's $200 SUB (for $2k spend in 6 months).
The $95 AF on the BCP is waived for the 1st year. If you decide you don't want the BCP after year 1, you can request a product change to the BCE for no AF in year 2. In some cases, you may get a retention offer from Amex to maintain the BCP in year 2.
The BCP offers a $7 monthly credit toward the Disney bundle (Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu). If you use that streaming service, that's $84 per year in credits, which helps offset most of the $95 AF.

@Genbu wrote:
Hey all,

I am interesting in getting into the Amex ecosystem, and am thinking to start with one of their Bluecash cards before deciding if I should commit to Green or Gold. Besides the SUB, I like having the 0 APR intro, considering how high my interest rate is on my HYS account.

For those experienced with Amex, do you think it is best to start with the BCE, and wait for an upgrade offer to the BCP? I can definitely come close to maximizing the annual Grocery spend. But from what I understand, to maximize the SUBs, I can start with the BCE and likely get an offer to upgrade. I doubt I can start with BCP and proceed to get a BCE SUB, is that correct? Besides the SUB, the BCE does not add much to my CC profile (I already have 3% on gas, plus the 2.5% flat Alliant Cashback - yes I actively bank with Alliant). The BCP would actually add something positive to my CC profile long-term - the 6% on groceries. But I want to maximize SUBs as I get myself into the Amex ecosystem.

I don't think I will have trouble qualifying for either:
My TU and Equifax will be around 760, Experian around 780.
8% total utilization (one card with 28%, just cruising with a 0 apr period)
0/3, 0/6, 1/12, 5/24 at time of application. Clean payment history.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

CYBERSAM — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:02:56 GMT

I think BCP is the best Credit Card that AMEX offers!

With BCP you get the AF waved for 1st year and sup is more than BCE!

Also you get better offers and rewards vs. BCE.

I did the upgrade few years back and don't see any reasons to go back to BCE.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

FireMedic1 — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 22:23:00 GMT

I vote BCP. 6% groceries and streaming, 3% gas and transit.

You can get 3% CB with PayPal MC using PayPal at checkout online shopping. 2% on everything else.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

Tcal — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:40:30 GMT

BCP is the way. The 6% on groceries is strong, the credit pays for most of the AF, and you can wait for one of the bigger subs to drop. I got $400 for $3k spend over 6 months.

Online shopping is one of the better benefits of the BCE, but sometimes it's hard to tell what qualifies. Better to play it safe with the Paypal MC & get 2% guaranteed everywhere/3% via PayPal

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

wingennis — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 14:48:46 GMT

A thought to consider if you are intent on a Green/Gold in the future is that the Blue Cash cards are cash back (obviously) and the charge cards earn MRs. If accumulating MRs is your goal, it might be more beneficial to open one of the Everyday cards to begin that process and to avoid spreading your earnings across different reward types. If you are just interested in getting Amex cards, you can just forget I said anything😇

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

Genbu — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 20:43:30 GMT

Hey everyone, thank you for the advice! I appreciate the guidance as I make my decision.

Re: Starting with Amex BCE vs. BCP

Zoostation1 — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 02:33:27 GMT

I went with BCP over BCE to get started with Amex. The sub was $300 vs $200 at the time I applied, plus the first year AF waiver. Also, whether you spend a lot on streaming servicves can be a factor as well. In my case I spend ~$120ish/mo (too much lol) on streaming so it helps in my use case. Everyone's use case is different, so what makes sense for me may or may not work for your usage.