Ok. I'm a bit confused. In the end, which is better, AMEX Blue cashback or Discover Card cashback? Discover gives me up to 1% on any type of purchase, which I can withdraw in $20 increments. Blue cash "seems" to advertise a higher rate, but there seems to be a lot of loopholes and conditions. On the face of it, Discover is simpler, but is AMEX blue a better deal? Stephen
"IF" you do a lot of shopping at WAL*MART & SAMS...it is 0.25% max!!!! YOU CAN SPEND $30,000 AT WAL*MART AND SAMS AND STILL ONLY GET 0.25%
Re: Re: Is Blue Cash better than DISC cash? I'm assuming you're not carrying a balance on either - carrying a balance on Amex Blue makes it a better deal. I'm also assuming that you're going to make all your payments on time, because if you don't you can lose some of your Amex Blue rebate. Finally, Amex Blue doesn't kick in at the higher levels until you spend several thousand dollars (can't remember how much). I'm assuming you plan on reaching that level fairly quickly. I think that Amex Blue gives you 3% on "everyday purchases," which is defined as grocery stores, gas stations, drug stores and home improvement stores. If you spend a lot of money in those places, I think it's well worth getting Amex Blue and using it. On Discover, you can theoretically double your benefit by using it to by certificates at selected retailers. One that seems that might be good is the Sharper Image. I haven't had success with these, though. I cashed out some of my bonus to get certificates for flower delivery, and a lost my bonus and never got the certificates. Seems like it can be a huge pain in the rear. Finally, Amex Blue doesn't give you the money until a year after you got your card. Anyway, I have both cards, and I've settled on using Amex Blue whenever I can, and otherwise using Discover (or my Fleet 1% Visa if they don't take Discover either). I think at Sam's club, Discover is the only credit card they take.
Re: Re: Is Blue Cash better than DISC cash? BTW, here is the text from Amex's current terms and conditions for the Blue Cash card: Your annual cash reward for everyday purchases at stand-alone U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, and home improvement stores is up to 3%. Stand-alone locations do not include the departments of superstores or warehouse clubs where the standard rebate of up to 1.5% applies. Your annual cash reward for all other purchases is up to 1.5%. You will receive an additional rebate of up to 2% in months in which your account carries a balance. Your cash rewards are limited to $50,000 of annual eligible spending. Balance transfers, purchases of American Express® Travelers Cheques or American Express® Gift Cheques and Cash Advances do not earn a cash back reward.The cash back reward structure is as follows: Total Annual Spend Cash Back on Everyday Purchases Cash Back on Other Purchases Up to $2000 0.50% 0.25% $2,001-$6,000 1.00% 0.50% $6,001 - $50,000 3.00% 1.50% Bonus % if you carry a balance 2.00% 0.50%
