What is better? Amex Clear or Amex Blue

[Red1Blue]

I promise no more apping for next 6 - 12 months. I am curious. What is the difference between Amex Blue and Amex Clear. In most of the postings I read that people are going for blue. I have not heard people talking about Clear on this board.

May I askm what is the primary differences between the 2 cards and which card do you prefer? What are the reasons you prefer that card?

[Anonymous]

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concorduser wrote:

I promise no more apping for next 6 - 12 months. I am curious. What is the difference between Amex Blue and Amex Clear. In most of the postings I read that people are going for blue. I have not heard people talking about Clear on this board.

May I askm what is the primary differences between the 2 cards and which card do you prefer? What are the reasons you prefer that card?

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The primary selling point of Clear is that is has no fees associated with it.  No annual fees, no overlimit fees, no late fees.  You get rewards in the form of Amex gift cards.

Blue, on the other hand, lets you participate in Membership Rewards Express, which is a much more flexible rewards program.  Actually, now that you have the Platinum charge card (congrats again!), if you had Blue it could participate in the regular Membership Rewards program.

IMO, Blue is the better card.  The no-fees aspect of Clear is good if you're planning on being late with your payments and going over the limit.  But if you're planning that, you have other issues to deal with.

[Red1Blue]

Thanks Cheddar. I do PIF every month so I guess Clear is not the right card for me. I'll check out the Blue Card features. It really does not make sense for me to have too many card. I guess, I would rather wait few months and see if I can get the Plum Card for my Business. I wonder how hard it is to get the Plum Card. My business is 6 year old and have very good credit with Citi and other cards. I am hoping to expand the business nationwide this year. That is the reason I am happy when they said I am approved for Platinum Card. I also have to work on getting 3 paid collections off of my EX and few lates. That is my goal for the next 3 months.

[Anonymous]

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concorduser wrote:

Thanks Cheddar. I do PIF every month so I guess Clear is not the right card for me. I'll check out the Blue Card features. It really does not make sense for me to have too many card. I guess, I would rather wait few months and see if I can get the Plum Card for my Business. I wonder how hard it is to get the Plum Card. My business is 6 year old and have very good credit with Citi and other cards. I am hoping to expand the business nationwide this year. That is the reason I am happy when they said I am approved for Platinum Card. I also have to work on getting 3 paid collections off of my EX and few lates. That is my goal for the next 3 months.

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I have to agree.  You have the cream of the crop now when it comes to Amex cards (except the Centurion, but that doesn't really count).  I don't think there's any reason to push it looking at the Blue and the Clear.

Remember, the fewer different cards you use, the faster your rewards points accumulate!

Getting new credit is only one half of the repair process.  Maybe focus on the other half and let this Platinum card work its magic for a while.

[Anonymous]

to someone like me they both look like gold...........

[Red1Blue]

Maxima, you are on the right track. You'll get it soon. As of June 07, my scores were low 500's due to my bad health in 2005. Though I was making $15k / month, I could not even rent a apartment. That is when I have decided to turn things around and started cleaning up. Hopefully I should be joining the 700 club any time soon. Keep up your chin and hope for the best. It will happen and soon you'll join the ranks of 700 Club and Amex Platinum League. 

[Anonymous]

I have Blue for Students and the reg. Clear. The prob. is- I think it is the Clear, that you have to have charged 6500 before rewards kick in and they are not retroactive. Be very careful w/ the rewards cards to make sure you can "push enough through" to make them be effective.

However Amex has been very generous to me w/ CLI's. I cannot complain.

[Anonymous]

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netpanther wrote:

I have Blue for Students and the reg. Clear. The prob. is- I think it is the Clear, that you have to have charged 6500 before rewards kick in and they are not retroactive. Be very careful w/ the rewards cards to make sure you can "push enough through" to make them be effective.

However Amex has been very generous to me w/ CLI's. I cannot complain.

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I think you're thinking of the $6500 annual spending threshold to get the higher tiered rewards on Blue Cash.  I don't believe the Clear has a minimum spending threshold to begin receiving rewards.

[Anonymous]

Plat served me well for about 15 years...strive to be offered a black.

[Anonymous]

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Lady_Scarlet wrote:

Plat served me well for about 15 years...strive to be offered a black.

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Do you spend $250K a year on your Platinum?  That's the first requirement to be offered a Black.