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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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Offer Status
This offer is currently unavailable through American Express and some offer details may be out of date.
The information for the Blue from American Express® has been collected independently by Motley Fool Money. 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 has a feature set that isn't nearly as competitive as other cards marketed to this credit score range. To help you determine 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.
2.50/5
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.
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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 2.50 out of 5 stars.
2.50/5
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.
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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Score:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
APR
23.99%, variable
Rewards
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points for every eligible dollar you spend.
1X points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
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.
No annual fee
Earn rewards on purchases
Car rental insurance
Low rewards rate
No welcome offer
Foreign transaction fee
Few ways to use points
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points for every eligible dollar you spend.
No annual fee.
Online Year-End Summary of Purchases.
The information for the Blue from American Express® has been collected independently by Motley Fool Money. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
5.00/5
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.
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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro:
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular:18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.
5.00/5
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.
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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
2% cash rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
4.00/5
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.
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. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
This credit card is a good fit for: Consumers who want to earn rewards while improving their credit scores. Those with good or excellent credit may want to apply for one of the more valuable American Express cards first.
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 must 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.
This card 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, most purchases with this card will only earn 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 airline or hotel partner in that rewards program, and transfers tend to offer the most value.
Most 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.
You won't get any additional 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. You'll need to use a different card when traveling abroad to avoid these charges. (See rates and fees.)
When applying for the Amex Blue Card, it's recommended that 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.
The Amex Blue Card is right for you if:
The Blue from American Express® is hard to recommend for people with good to excellent credit. It's not competitive with other offers in this category, many of which offer lucrative rewards, big bonuses, and 0% intro APR offers. If you have good to excellent credit and want a card with more perks, review our list of the best rewards credit cards to explore other options.
Our Credit Card Methodology
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
FAQs
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.
It depends on your credit score. Applicants with a FICO® Score of 670 or above are more likely to be approved for Blue from American Express®.
Yes, Blue from American Express® can be used internationally. However, you will be charged a 2.7% foreign transaction fee for international purchases. To avoid being charged, use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees while traveling abroad.
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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. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
*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.
John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, PayPal, and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal and short December 2024 $70 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the Blue from American Express®, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.
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