
Blue from American Express®
Rewards rate
1XEarn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar you spend.
Annual fee
Intro offer
N/APay over time APR
Regular APR
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2.6
Bottom line
For credit card beginners seeking a straightforward rewards credit card with major issuer perks, the Blue from American Express could be a great place to start.
Rewards rate
1XEarn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar you spend.
Annual fee
Intro offer
N/APay over time APR
Regular APR
If you’re looking for an entry-level credit card to start collecting Membership Rewards points, then the Blue from American Express® Credit Card might be right for you. While experienced credit card users are unlikely to be impressed by this card’s low rewards rate and lack of welcome bonus, the Amex Blue comes with no annual fee and just enough benefits to attract those who value simplicity and the Amex brand.
This card does not charge an annual fee
Cardmembers can enroll for a free ShopRunner membership, offering free delivery in as little as 2 days at over 100 online stores
Offers car rental insurance, which kicks in when the agency’s coverage is declined
This card does not offer a welcome bonus
Rewards rate for non-travel purchases is relatively low when compared to competitors
Cardmembers are unable to transfer points to travel partners
One of the most significant drawbacks of this card is its lack of a welcome offer. While there aren’t a ton of no-annual-fee cards with generous sign-up bonuses, a few American Express credit cards with no annual fee offer a welcome bonus. Take the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, which comes with 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend at least $1,000 within the first three months.
The American Express Membership Rewards program is flexible and relatively straightforward. You can earn unlimited points that won’t expire and redeem them in a number of ways.
Each dollar you spend on the Amex Blue will earn you a point. You earn double the points when you make eligible travel purchases through AmexTravel.com, such as prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, flights, flight and hotel packages and cruise reservations. While many cards on the market have higher rewards earning potential, this card is excellent for those who prioritize simplicity. With no rotating categories or spending caps to worry about, you use the card as often as you can and your points balance will grow.
You can pay with points at checkout with select partner merchants (like Amazon.com and the Amex Travel rental car booking webpage), exchange points for gift cards, use them to cover your card charges or book/upgrade travel with them. The value of your points differs depending on the redemption option you choose.
Unfortunately, Membership Rewards points from the Amex Blue cannot be transferred to frequent flyer programs.
Although Bankrate values American Express Membership Rewards points at up to 2.1 cents apiece, points earned from the Amex Blue are likely to be worth around just 0.5 to 1 cent. You tend to get maximum value by transferring points to frequent flyer programs, but this isn’t an option with this card.
Non-travel redemption options tend to have lower redemption rates for your points. However, keep an eye on Amex’s limited-time offers, as you’ll occasionally be able to receive a boosted rate to cover card purchases.
There are no bells and whistles with Amex Blue, but the few perks on offer are undoubtedly handy for most people.
The Amex Blue has no annual fee, but you’ll be charged 2.7 percent on foreign transactions — so it’s best to leave it at home when you’re traveling abroad. You’ve got to watch out for late payment charges, too, as the late payment fee is up to $40 and there’s a variable penalty APR of 29.99 percent.
There are no intro APR periods for either new purchases or balance transfers, either. Consider using this card when you know you can pay your balance off each month because its regular APR is high at 24.24 percent variable.
When evaluating your best options for no-annual-fee credit cards, it’s essential to assess a multitude of factors, including your spending habits, the card’s versatility and its rewards earning potential.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Rewards rate
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar you spend.
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards rate
2x points at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x) 1x points on other purchases
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Annual fee
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Rewards rate
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service 1.5% on all other purchases
Recommended Credit Score
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Compared to other credit cards with no annual fee, the Amex Blue trails in rewards earning potential. For example, the Amex EveryDay offers 20 percent extra points if you use your card at least 20 times per billing period, as well as 2 points for the first $6,000 spent on U.S. supermarket purchases per year (then 1X).
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® goes even further — you’ll get 5 percent cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 3 percent for dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5 percent on everything else.
To build Membership Rewards points faster, you could pair this card with the Amex EveryDay. That way, you can earn 2 points for up to $6,000 in U.S. supermarket purchases per year (then 1x), and 2 points for travel booked through Amex Travel.
If you spent a lot on gas and groceries, it may even be worth pairing with the Amex® EveryDay Preferred Credit Card. Although it has an annual fee of $95, you’ll get 3X points on up to $6,000 in U.S. supermarket purchases a year and 2X points at U.S. gas stations.
The Amex Blue isn’t the best card for maximizing rewards; it’s really only suited for beginners who want to enjoy the convenience of having a credit card while trying out the Membership Rewards program.
But if you’re serious about earning rewards fast, you’ll probably be better off with other Amex cards.
The information about the Blue from American Express® Credit Card, Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express and the Amex® EveryDay Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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