topic Re: AMEX ED vs BCE in Credit Cards

AMEX ED vs BCE

xenon3030 — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:25:57 GMT

I am looking for a comparison of AMEX ED vs BCE. Both do not have AF. I see some people have both but it looks like BCE is a better card in terms of cashback (3% vs. 2X). Is it good to have both CCs?

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

sunkissed — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:34:59 GMT

ED vs BCE is really MRs vs $. From your signature, it looks like you have experience with both (MRs and cash back). Which would you prefer to earn? What is your personal valuation of MRs?

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

xenon3030 — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:56:27 GMT

Not a frequent traveler and I prefer cashback.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

sunkissed — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:21:19 GMT

Based on your response, I think it may be best if you skip ED and keep using your BCE for now. You can always re-evaluate if your spending and/or redemption habits change.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

MrDisco99 — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:27:13 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
Not a frequent traveler and I prefer cashback.

TL;DR: stick with cash back.

MRs can be worth 2cpp or even more if you can find a good redemption on some airlines, but are only worth 0.6cpp as statement credit (cash). If you don't already have a plan in mind for how to use the points, then you're probably better off just earning cash and using it on whatever you want. Just keep in mind, too, Amex Blue Cash redemption policy is pretty awful with its two statement wait and $25 quantum. It's only really worth it if you plan to continue using the card long term.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

kdm31091 — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:13:04 GMT

@MrDisco99 wrote:
@xenon3030 wrote:
Not a frequent traveler and I prefer cashback.
TL;DR: stick with cash back.

MRs can be worth 2cpp or even more if you can find a good redemption on some airlines, but are only worth 0.6cpp as statement credit (cash). If you don't already have a plan in mind for how to use the points, then you're probably better off just earning cash and using it on whatever you want. Just keep in mind, too, Amex Blue Cash redemption policy is pretty awful with its two statement wait and $25 quantum. It's only really worth it if you plan to continue using the card long term.

Agreed, really if you want cash back, unless you have a major loyalty to Amex, there are better options out there with less clunky reward systems.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:31:46 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
@MrDisco99 wrote:
@xenon3030 wrote:
Not a frequent traveler and I prefer cashback.
TL;DR: stick with cash back.

MRs can be worth 2cpp or even more if you can find a good redemption on some airlines, but are only worth 0.6cpp as statement credit (cash). If you don't already have a plan in mind for how to use the points, then you're probably better off just earning cash and using it on whatever you want. Just keep in mind, too, Amex Blue Cash redemption policy is pretty awful with its two statement wait and $25 quantum. It's only really worth it if you plan to continue using the card long term.
Agreed, really if you want cash back, unless you have a major loyalty to Amex, there are better options out there with less clunky reward systems.

Honestly, unless you have grocery spend to make the card truly worth it you're better off going with the CFU you already have, CapOne QS just because of the ease of redemption, or Citi DC to start off with.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

xenon3030 — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:30:09 GMT

OK. Sounds reasonable. Also, it is strange for me that some people have both BCE and BCP. Maybe, lots of groceries...

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

mongstradamus — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:38:56 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
OK. Sounds reasonable. Also, it is strange for me that some people have both BCE and BCP. Maybe, lots of groceries...

a lot of interesting spending i would suppose lol

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:51:04 GMT

@mongstradamus wrote:
@xenon3030 wrote:
OK. Sounds reasonable. Also, it is strange for me that some people have both BCE and BCP. Maybe, lots of groceries...
a lot of interesting spending i would suppose lol

For me I plan to app for the BCP (while already having the BCE) next year because my family does spend a lot on groceries. Didn't even realize how much we spent til we crunched the numbers. And xenon3030 like mongstradamus said a lot of "interesting" spending otherwise if not the case lol.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:54:11 GMT

Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 01:58:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.

Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 04:07:08 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.
Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.

People should crunch the numbers and see if getting the Old Blue Cash makes more sense for high grocery spend. Then you also get 5% back on gas, and on drug stores.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 13:24:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.
Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.
People should crunch the numbers and see if getting the Old Blue Cash makes more sense for high grocery spend. Then you also get 5% back on gas, and on drug stores.

......how in the hell have I not heard of this card before? Well, I take that back; when I think about it the the initial $6500 spend before it triggers is a little meh and with AMEX cracking down on people who have "questionable" spending I can see how that would be a turn off. I'll probably plan to put our property taxes on it when the new year starts so we can maximize our rewards for the whole year. Does anyone know if you hold the BCE if it can be product changed to this card or is a new app necessary?

@Anonymous @Anonymous serious kudos for showing me this! Whether I plan to PC to it or perhaps have my dad app for it good know there is a great option that will fit the general family spend.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:06:12 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
OK. Sounds reasonable. Also, it is strange for me that some people have both BCE and BCP. Maybe, lots of groceries...

6000 limit a year only is 500 a month. I spend over a 1000 a month. Unless you eat out all the time 500 a month is nothing when it comes to groceries. I see that NFCU's new Amex card has 3 percent unlimited on groceries. That is probably a better option than having both BCE and BCP as it has not annual fee.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:45:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.
Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.
People should crunch the numbers and see if getting the Old Blue Cash makes more sense for high grocery spend. Then you also get 5% back on gas, and on drug stores.

I wasn't aware this card was still available, are you able to PC to it? Or am I blind and it's clearly available on their website, which wouldn't shock me...

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:50:38 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.
Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.
People should crunch the numbers and see if getting the Old Blue Cash makes more sense for high grocery spend. Then you also get 5% back on gas, and on drug stores.
I wasn't aware this card was still available, are you able to PC to it? Or am I blind and it's clearly available on their website, which wouldn't shock me...

It's there actually just "hiding" at the bottom of the page when you select all cards. Here's the direct link: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/blue-cash/

The PC question I don't know; might have to call/chat with CS tomorrow to see if it's possible.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:02:07 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Depending on the household budget, 12k in groceries is not out of the question. My household of two exceeds that every year.
Same here. We spend $400/week give or take so gonna talk my dad into getting the BCP himself to maximize our rewards from our grocery spend.
People should crunch the numbers and see if getting the Old Blue Cash makes more sense for high grocery spend. Then you also get 5% back on gas, and on drug stores.
I wasn't aware this card was still available, are you able to PC to it? Or am I blind and it's clearly available on their website, which wouldn't shock me...
It's there actually just "hiding" at the bottom of the page when you select all cards. Here's the direct link: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/blue-cash/

The PC question I don't know; might have to call/chat with CS tomorrow to see if it's possible.

The link came up with an error for me, but I'll do some hunting! Let us know what they say about a PC, if it's possible I will do that with my BCE

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:24:52 GMT

Hmm, in incognito mode it pops up so that's weird because it doesn't pop otherwise. And can do I'll keep the thread updated when I know.

Re: AMEX ED vs BCE

simplynoir — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:43:14 GMT

@smc4getnot

Update: according to the CSR I just spoke with she originaally couldn't even see the card she thought they were being phased out. Took some searching but she did find it in their systems. Unforunately, she said she wasn't able to PC my BCE to the Blue Cash. If we want the card we would have to apply for it as a new account and even then though they've halted phasing it out for the time being there's a chance it could in the future. For me that's not necessairly a huge deal if they do. If they do do that I just plan to take the BCP as a PC while also keeping the BCE that way I can maximize my grocery savings; it won't be as good as the Blue Cash but then again I didn't even know about the card til recently.