topic Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI in Credit Cards

obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

gen-specific — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:39:36 GMT

Hello,

I was thinking about applying for an obligatory AMEX card, solely to do a 3x CLI in the near future. Its on my bucket list of things to do. And then maybe cancel an existing young card with a lower credit limit.

Which AMEX card would you recommend? Preferably one without an annual fee, but if the rewards are interesting enough I'll consider it anyway

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:45:43 GMT

@gen-specific wrote:
Hello,

I was thinking about applying for an obligatory AMEX card, solely to do a 3x CLI in the near future. Its on my bucket list of things to do. And then maybe cancel an existing young card with a lower credit limit.

Which AMEX card would you recommend? Preferably one without an annual fee, but if the rewards are interesting enough I'll consider it anyway

This is a very funny post. I don't know what to say about "Obligatroy Amex Card" other than NOT!

Bucket List is for fun things to do before you die. Are you planning to have good time on the 3X CL and die before you pay?

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

webhopper — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:56:59 GMT

This is fun! I vote for blue

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

gen-specific — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 05:16:22 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
This is fun! I vote for blue

Ah yes the sexy looking card

Okay I compared the various blue cards and I applied for simply AMEX Blue

I guess thats it for my hard pulls. Thanks everyone

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

koalablue — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:36:22 GMT

I know you've already applied but I have to chime in anyway. The plain Blue card I think is a bad deal. You only get MR points as rewards, and I think you're only earning one point per dollar, so they won't add up fast. I would apply at some point for the Blue Cash Preferred - 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on dept stores and gas, and 1% cash back on everything else. Its a 75.00 yearly fee but if you spend at least 25.00 per week on groceries, you easily make this fee back. Plus there's a cash sign up bonus - I think 250.00. If you're really dead set against a AF, the Blue Cash Everyday is free, and offers 3% cash back on groceries, 2% cash back on gas and dept stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. Best of luck.

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

webhopper — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:42:56 GMT

@koalablue wrote:
I know you've already applied but I have to chime in anyway. The plain Blue card I think is a bad deal. You only get MR points as rewards, and I think you're only earning one point per dollar, so they won't add up fast. I would apply at some point for the Blue Cash Preferred - 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on dept stores and gas, and 1% cash back on everything else. Its a 75.00 yearly fee but if you spend at least 25.00 per week on groceries, you easily make this fee back. Plus there's a cash sign up bonus - I think 250.00. If you're really dead set against a AF, the Blue Cash Everyday is free, and offers 3% cash back on groceries, 2% cash back on gas and dept stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. Best of luck.

Earn one point for virtually every eligible dollar you spend on your Credit Card.1
Earn 1 extra point on each dollar of eligible purchases when you book on the American Express Travel website.2
Get what you want right now by purchasing extra points or advancing points at checkout.3

Blue gets access to Amex Travel, not sure if BCE and BCP does or not. Also 2X on travel booked through Amex Travel. With PRG used to book Amex Travel its 3 +1 X MR points per dollar spent

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

a3quit4s — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:28:49 GMT

+1 BCP

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

p- — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:54:38 GMT

Or the Amex Unicorn card.... That one is shiny.

The important thing is getting your "member since" date set as early as you can. Twenty years from now you'll be glad you did.

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

koalablue — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:55:44 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
@koalablue wrote:
I know you've already applied but I have to chime in anyway. The plain Blue card I think is a bad deal. You only get MR points as rewards, and I think you're only earning one point per dollar, so they won't add up fast. I would apply at some point for the Blue Cash Preferred - 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on dept stores and gas, and 1% cash back on everything else. Its a 75.00 yearly fee but if you spend at least 25.00 per week on groceries, you easily make this fee back. Plus there's a cash sign up bonus - I think 250.00. If you're really dead set against a AF, the Blue Cash Everyday is free, and offers 3% cash back on groceries, 2% cash back on gas and dept stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. Best of luck.
Earn one point for virtually every eligible dollar you spend on your Credit Card.1
Earn 1 extra point on each dollar of eligible purchases when you book on the American Express Travel website.2
Get what you want right now by purchasing extra points or advancing points at checkout.3
Blue gets access to Amex Travel, not sure if BCE and BCP does or not. Also 2X on travel booked through Amex Travel. With PRG used to book Amex Travel its 3 +1 X MR points per dollar spent

Got it - thank you for the info. I would still think that for most folks, it would take quite some time to earn enough points for a good reward. Depends how much money you run through it of course. If you want to use Amex Travel a fair amount, it could be a great option. To each his own I guess.

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:08:35 GMT

@p- wrote:
Or the Amex Unicorn card.... That one is shiny.

The important thing is getting your "member since" date set as early as you can. Twenty years from now you'll be glad you did.

Not sure about the 20 years thing! The need for backdating is more significant earlier on in your credit history. 20 years from now we would hope the OP has a good established history, and doesn't need whatever boost comes from adding X years to AAoA.

Re: obligatory AMEX card, for future 3x CLI

gen-specific — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 04:38:41 GMT

@koalablue wrote:
I know you've already applied but I have to chime in anyway. The plain Blue card I think is a bad deal. You only get MR points as rewards, and I think you're only earning one point per dollar, so they won't add up fast. I would apply at some point for the Blue Cash Preferred - 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on dept stores and gas, and 1% cash back on everything else. Its a 75.00 yearly fee but if you spend at least 25.00 per week on groceries, you easily make this fee back. Plus there's a cash sign up bonus - I think 250.00. If you're really dead set against a AF, the Blue Cash Everyday is free, and offers 3% cash back on groceries, 2% cash back on gas and dept stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. Best of luck.

Thanks, I looked at this but for rewards programs I used one of my spare hard pulls for Chase Sapphire Preferred. So I really wasn't interested in an annual fee since I may not be entertaining this card immediately

I do appreciate the comparison