Converting My Blue AmEx to Blue Cash from American Express
Posted by Cap in Credit Related |
Since American Express did away with the 5% cashback on gasoline for the Simply Cash Business card, and my sister is hoarding the other family member account for Costco (which requires me to sign up for a new Costco membership if I want the TrueEarnings Business Card from Costco and AmEx) — I’ve decided to convert my Blue from American Express to Blue Cash Everyday from American Express. Oh, how I hate my sister.
Huh what?
Alright, here’s the gist in a possibly easier to understand version: I want a 5% cashback on gasoline credit card because my current Chase Freedom card only gives 3% cashback and I’m reluctant to open yet another credit card account, so I’ve decided to convert one of my American Express credit card.
Converting the card is straight forward enough, you grab your see through Blue AmEx, flip the back of the card and dial 1-888-BLUE-741.
After navigating through the voice menu, simply tell a customer service rep that you’ll want to convert your card. They may or may not transfer you to someone that specialize in this procedure.
- AmEx CSR:
- Mr. Cap, I’d love to be able to help you convert your card today, but I see here on my screen that you have about 11,000 in Membership Rewards points left on your Blue card.
- Cap:
- Huh what?
- AmEx CSR:
- Claim your damn points or you’ll lose them when you convert, asshole. (I may have paraphrased this a little bit).
- Cap:
- Okily Dokily!
So I have 11,000 points. What should I get from the Membership Rewards catalog?
I was thinking a Bluetooth headset for my Blackberry (although I’m perfectly fine with the $2 wired headset I have right now) along with some random $40 gift card, or a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card that I’ll later sell on eBay.
Hmm… what a troubling quandary (What? DJI down almost 778 points? Controversial stabilization act failed to pass the House? This is more pressing dammit).
Look for a full review of the card once I get a chance to take it for a test spin.
Why Get the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express?
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P.S. I was kidding. I love my sister. *Aww*
Related Links and Resources:
- Blue Cash Everyday from American Express – A card that I’ve consistently kept in my wallet
- American Express Blue Cash cashback analysis – From MyMoneyBlog.com
- Changing Our Reward Credit Card Strategy – From FiveCentNickel.com
8 Comments to “Converting My Blue AmEx to Blue Cash from American Express”
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September 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I was thinking of doing exactly that–switch from points to cash. I have over 100k Membership Rewards points that I transferred from my Amex Corporate Card when I left my last employer, plus all the points I earned since then.
The points aren’t as useful as a I thought. They can be converted to airline miles to get free frequent flyer travel (which is harder and harder to get), or you can shop by points (e.g., turn in 10,000 points for a blender or for a store gift card), or turn them in Amex gift cards–kinda like preloaded credit cards.
In the end, the biggest bang for the buck, er, point is for the store gift cards, especially if you can sell them for close to face value on eBay. A $100 Gap gift card costs half as many points as a $100 Amex (use it anywhere) gift card. Or hey, just get a bunch of jeans and crap at the Gap!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Chris: I would have just transfer these points to my mileage accumulation, but turns out I’m in the Membership Reward “express” program. In order to transfer points, I’d have to be in the higher tier “gold/plus” or whatever Membership Rewards program. These are the ones you get w/ AmEx Green/Gold etc. cards I suppose.
But yeah, gift cards are the only way to get the real 1% value of your points (otherwise they’re like 0.5% or 0.75% in terms of points to dollars spent). I mentioned the Saks Fifth Avenue card because they’re actually being sold near face value on eBay. Other gift cards, not so much.
I could have sworn they had more selections before though…
I like my 5 year old jeans just fine, so no thanks on Gap card. Although maybe I can get like 10-20 cards with my points and do some lame blog contest. Hmmmm….
October 1st, 2008 at 9:32 am
Who there…Costco still has %5 cash back on all gas purchases..few exceptions…tied in with AMEX of course…I switched just last month…it is a duel card that is my Costco and AMEX
October 1st, 2008 at 9:37 am
No minimum amout to receive 5% …just a check once a year…see store for details..COSTCO Rocks!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Huh.
I’ve had a blue cash card for 3 or 4 years now. Only used it twice.
I actually got it because of a AMEX promotion for 25% off lifts tickets and lodging at Sugarloaf, USA.
Since my driver’s edge rebates are only 2% and start expiring after 3 years, maybe I should change my primary card.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I actually applied for a Blue Card years ago just out of college and was denied. Is it worth it for me to apply again? My credit is MUCH better now!
October 4th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I love reward credit cards :)
October 6th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Cap: I think you’re right. Not so long ago they used to have Brooks Brothers gift cards. Probably others too. (Bums me out. I LOVE the Brooks Bros. No-Iron shirts! Kinda pricey, but totally worth it.)