American Express Blue

Why Blue?

Credit cards try any number of gimmicks to lure potential cardholders into membership agreements, but the idea of labeling a card “blue” has a powerful and immediate impact. The color blue is sophisticated and elegant, as well as calming (a useful psychological tactic for individuals stressed out about credit card debt), and the sleek design of this leading credit card reinforces those characteristics.

American Express Blue Benefits

The outward design of a card, however, should not be a major factor in deciding whether or not to apply. While the card’s initial appearance may attract attention, most cardholders review the card’s benefits to decide whether they are interested or not, and American Express Blue offers a wide range of perks.

General

General benefits of this type of American Express card include:

• Online account management tools, including annual summaries, 24/7 account access, and automatic email alerts for payment due dates or limit-approaching balances.
• No annual fee for cardholders.
• No balance transfer fees to help consumers save money with lower interest rates.
• Express pay technology that eliminates card scanning at equipped retailers.

While these basic benefits may seem plain, the real appeal of this card comes from the special merchant incentives available for travel, shopping, and other American Express rewards.

Travel

American Express Blue cardholders enjoy many travel benefits, including:

• An annual $100 credit from a qualifying cruise or vacation package purchase.
• Travel accident insurance and rental car coverage.
• A global assistance hotline to provide medical, legal, or other advice for travelers.
• Hotel reservation guarantees.

Shopping

Shopping is the ultimate reason to have a credit card, and Blue cardholders enjoy a variety of shopping benefits such as:

• Warranty matching policies to safeguard purchase quality and longevity.
• Unauthorized purchase fraud protection.
• Purchase protection against damage or theft for up to 90 days after the transaction.
• Return refund protection to ensure customer satisfaction.

Rewards

In addition to rewards for specialized purchases, cardholders also earn points for each purchase (1 point per dollar spent on qualifying purchases) that can be redeemed at more than 100 participating merchant partners, including FTD.com and the Gap as well as airlines, hotels, and rental car agencies. Reward points do not expire and there is no limit on the number that cardholders can accrue.

Earn Points on American Express Blue Credit Card

While the basic Blue card offers a range of tempting benefits, some cardholders prefer even more specialized rewards like the ability to earn points on their American Express Blue credit card. American Express offers three additional Blue cards to meet their needs:

• Blue Cash: This cash back credit card gives cardholders up to five percent back through tiered calculations. An online calculator is available to estimate potential rebates, and the refund is automatically applied to the credit card annually instead of requiring cardholders to request redemption.
• Blue Sky: Frequent travelers will enjoy the benefits of this travel rewards card. Purchases can be made through any airline, cruise agency, or travel agent and there are no blackout dates, seat restrictions, or specific purchase requirements necessary to redeem rewards. Every 7,500 points earned (one point per dollar) is eligible for a $100 credit for travel purchases.
• Blue for Students: This card has the same standard benefits as the classic Blue card, but is designed to help students create a good credit history and develop sound financial habits. Exact interest rates and terms for this card vary more than for other American Express cards.

Blue by the Numbers

Before signing up for American Express Blue simply because of attractive benefits, consumers should examine the card’s terms and conditions, including fees, interest rates, and privacy policies. Basic details of the card (subject to change) include:

• Zero-percent introductory APR for up to 15 months depending on the new cardholder’s credit history.
• Annual APR varies from 12-20 percent based on credit and account history.
• Late payment fees from $15-35 based on account balance.
• Cash advance fee of 3 percent of the transaction with a $5 minimum fee.
• Wire transfer fees of $15 per transaction.
• Dishonored check fees of $38 per incident.

When American Express Blue was introduced in 1999, it became an instant phenomenon as cardholders were drawn to the wide range of convenient benefits and the straightforward card philosophy. For more information about the card, including updated terms and an online application, visit www.AmericanExpress.com/Blue.

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