AMEX Cobalt, in Canada, hopefully coming to US

CBartowski · ‎05-30-2018

So I found this card randomly online and was actually quite intrigued. It is evidently only in Canada that I can tell, tho the card design is used for the Explorer card in Australia which looks like a cross between the CSP and CSR. Anyway here are the highlights:

MONTHLY fee of 10$
Banks MR points
30k sign on bonus: 2,500 points each month if you spend 500$ or more a month for a year.
5 points for every $1 spent on Card purchases at eligible restaurants, bars, grocery stores and food delivery in Canada
2 points for every $1 spent on eligible transit & gas purchases in Canada and eligible travel purchases
1 point on everything else
Redemption of points:
- Streaming services, travel, retail, concerts, food, amazon
- Fixed points travel: categories of routes all with fixed point amounts no matter time of year

A few intersting concepts, looking forward to see what happens.

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/credit-cards/information/cobalt-card/

https://www.americanexpress.com/canada/en/fixedpointstravel.html

pipeguy · ‎05-30-2018

It's a nice looking card - color and design - I'll say that. It's not for me due to the monthly-annual fee, but I suspect it might get some marginal folks off their "platinum quest" that don't really need or use the $550 (AF) worth of Platinum benefits.

Anonymous · ‎05-30-2018

5x for Eats and Drinks are nice but there is $120 annual fee ($10 monthly)

Adkins · ‎05-30-2018

I learned about this card last September. The consensus from what I've read is it's very doubtful they'll bring it to the US.

Last HP 08-07-2023

MrDisco99 · ‎05-31-2018

I came here hoping there was news that they might bring this to the US market.

I'm disappointed.

Affinity Cash Rewards VSig $25,000 prime +9.25%

Amex Hilton Surpass $20,000 prime+17.49%

Amex Blue Business Plus $30,000 prime+12.99%

Barclays Wyndham Earner VSig $22,800 prime+11.99%

Cap1 Quicksilver WEMC $10,000 prime+14.74%

Chase Freedom Flex WEMC $10,000 prime+17.49%

Chase Freedom Unlimited VSig $10,000 prime+17.49%

Chase IHG Select WMC $5,000 prime+19.74%

Chase Sapphire Preferred VSig $10,000 prime+12.74%

Citi DoubleCash WEMC $10,000 prime+16.24%

Citi Custom Cash WEMC $11,200 prime+12.74%

Renasant (Elan) Max Cash Preferred VSig $25,000 prime+11.24%

Renasant (Elan) Everyday Rewards+ VSig $4,000 prime+11.24%

Synchrony Verizon VSig $15,000 prime+18.49%

K-in-Boston · ‎05-31-2018

@MrDisco99 wrote:
I came here hoping there was news that they might bring this to the US market.

I'm disappointed.

This. We've been lamenting this card for a while. I would say it has as much of a chance as coming the States as the awe-inducing Emirates NBD Starwood Preferred Guest card.

MrDisco99 · ‎05-31-2018

That fixed points flight rewards system is weird. Are MR points not transferrable to airlines in Canada?

MrDisco99 · ‎05-31-2018

@Anonymous wrote:
5x for Eats and Drinks are nice but there is $120 annual fee ($10 monthly)

I already pay $195 AF for 2x at restaurants on my PRG... I would gladly trade!

CBartowski · ‎05-31-2018

@MrDisco99 wrote:
That fixed points flight rewards system is weird. Are MR points not transferrable to airlines in Canada?

It looks like they're trying something potentially more appealing due to change in point values based on day of travel, proximity to holidays and destinations and who knows what else. Could be a decent plan.

Anonymous · ‎05-31-2018

@CBartowski

I moved this thread to the Smorgasbord forum because, while it may be an interesting card, it is not now and probably never will be offered in the US. To avoid any confusion to those reading the credit card forum we like to keep discussions there to cards issued in the US. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.