Offer Status
The information for the Blue from American Express® has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Blue from American Express® could be considered to be American Express' starter rewards card with a modest earn rate. But the card is oddly targeted to people with good credit or better and a feature set that isn't nearly as competitive as other cards marketed to this credit score range. To help you figure out if this is the right card for you, our Blue from American Express® review will break down its good points and where it could improve.
Blue from American Express®
Rating image, 2.50 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. 2.50/5
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
23.99%, variable
Rewards
1X points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
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There are more competitive cards in the credit score range this card is intended for. The lack of a welcome bonus, 0% intro APR, and great rewards rate explain our lack of enthusiasm.
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- No annual fee
- Earn rewards on every purchase
- Car rental insurance
- Low rewards rate
- No welcome bonus
- Foreign transaction fee
- Few ways to use points
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- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar you spend.
- No annual fee.
- Online Year-End Summary of Purchases.
Full Amex Blue Card review
This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers who want to earn rewards while improving their credit score. Those with good or excellent credit may want to try applying for one of the more valuable American Express cards first.
Top perks
These are the top perks that come with this card:
No annual fee
If you're unfamiliar with credit card rewards, starting out with a no annual fee card is a smart choice. (See rates and fees.)
Unlimited 1 point per $1
You'll get 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 you spend with your Amex Blue Card, and there's no limit to how many points you can earn. Terms apply.
Earn double points on American Express Travel reservations
If you book travel purchases such as prepaid hotel stays, vacation packages, and cruises through the American Express Travel portal, you'll earn 2 points per $1. Terms apply.
Car rental loss and damage insurance
This covers you if a vehicle you rent is damaged or stolen. For this insurance to apply, you'll need to pay for the rental with your Amex Blue Card and decline the collision damage waiver*. This coverage is secondary. Some exclusions and restrictions can apply. Terms apply.
Related: Read The Ascent's list of the Best American Express Credit Cards.
Alternatives to consider
- If you're building or rebuilding credit: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a good option to improve your credit with good credit behaviors. It's a secured credit card, meaning your credit limit is restricted to the refundable security deposit provided when opening an account. Cards in this category typically water down their rewards, but this one bucks that trend -- cardholders earn 2% back on gas and restaurants (up to a $1,000 quarterly spending cap) and 1% back on other purchases.
- If you're a student and want more rewards: The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a fantastic card for establishing credit. It doesn't charge unnecessary fees, and Discover will even automatically waive one late fee. Each quarter, it offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of quarterly spending in rotating quarterly bonus categories you activate.
As of Aug. 04, 2022
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| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Discover it® Student Cash Back |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. |
|
Apply Now for Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's Secure Website. |
| Rates & Fees | Rates & Fees |
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Credit Rating Requirement: |
Credit Rating Requirement: |
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Cashback Match |
Cashback Match |
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1% - 2% Cashback |
1% - 5% Cashback |
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Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: 10.99% Intro APR, 6 months |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0% Intro APR, 6 months Balance Transfers: 10.99% Intro APR, 6 months |
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Regular APR: 24.49% Variable APR |
Regular APR: 14.49% - 23.49% Variable APR |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's Secure Website. |
Show More
Show Less
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What could be improved
This card has has some areas that could be improved upon:
Rewards rate
While other American Express cards come with bonus categories that will net you 2 or 3 points per $1, the vast majority of your purchases with this card will only get you 1 point per $1. That rewards rate falls short of what some credit cards for average credit offer. Terms apply.
Point redemption options
Although this card technically earns Membership Rewards points, it doesn't offer the full range of redemption options you'd get with other American Express rewards cards. You can't transfer points to any of the airline or hotel partners in that rewards program, and transfers tend to offer the most value.
Most of the ways you can redeem your rewards with this card will only get you between $0.005 and $0.007 per point. At best, you can get up to $0.01 per point if you use your points to purchase gift cards. Terms apply.
No welcome bonus
You won't get any bonus points for opening the Amex Blue Card. When comparing credit cards, other American Express cards provide a welcome offer.
Foreign transaction fee
You'll be charged a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, so this isn't a great card to travel with. To avoid these charges, you'll need to use a different card when traveling abroad. (See rates and fees.)
Find the best credit card for your needs
Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.
Suggested credit score
You have a high chance of getting approved for the Amex Blue Card if you have a good credit score, which is a FICO® Score of 670 or above. This is one of the easiest Membership Rewards cards to open, and even consumers with average credit scores have a decent chance of approval.
This credit card is right for you if:
The Blue from American Express® is hard to recommend for people with good to excellent credit. It's simply not competitive with other offers in this category, many of which, offer lucrative rewards, big bonuses, and 0% intro APR offers.
FAQs
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The credit limit for the Blue from American Express® depends on factors such as your income and credit score. According to American Express, you will be informed of your credit limit when you are issued your card.
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It depends on your credit score. Applicants with a FICO® Score of 670 or above have a higher chance of being approved for Blue from American Express®.
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Yes, Blue from American Express® can be used internationally. You will be charged a 2.7% foreign transaction fee for purchases made internationally.
About the Author
Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
For rates and fees for the Blue from American Express®, click here
The Motley Fool recommends Amex.
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