Good morning everyone. A long time ago, I got the American Express Blue Cash Credit Card (conventionally known as the AMEX Old Blue Cash). This credit card is no longer available, but if you have one, you earn 5% cash back at grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. The card offers no annual fee, but you have to spend a minimum of $6,500 on the credit card before the bonus categories start earning 5% cash back. All purchases made before the $6,500 spend earn 0.5% to 1% cash back, so it is important to know how much you have spent so you can start racking up the 5% cash back.
When you sign into your American Express online account, you will see the start and end date of your Reward Year. In my case, I need to spend $6,500 after September 13, 2018 to unlock the 5% cash back categories. To see if previous purchases earned 5% cash back, click the View Rewards Details link. Oh by the way, this information used to be on the credit card statements, but American Express removed the information from the statements and you now have to do additional work to see your cash back transactions and earning details.
I recently cashed in all my cash back, that is why my cash back balance shows $0.00. I lost track of my spending and thought I was earning 5% cash back, but as you can tell, my purchases from December are only earning 1% cash back.
Since my Reward Year started on September 13, 2018, I wanted to go to the time period that contained that date.
As you can see, I was earning 5% cash back from my previous Reward Year (September 13, 2017 to September 12, 2018). But as soon the new Reward Year began, I was back to earning 1% cash back. That is a bummer since I have made several thousand dollars of purchases that I thought were earning 5% cash back but were only earning 1% cash back.
The easiest way to see how much spending you have done during your Reward Year is by clicking the Statements & Activity tab at the top of the page. Then do a custom search from the starting date of the Reward Year through today. As you can see, I’ve spent a little less than $4,000 during my reward year. I’m roughly 6 months into the Reward Year, so I need to spend an additional $2,500 to unlock the 5% cash back categories through September 12, 2019.
Please learn from my mistakes and try to hit your $6,500 minimum spend as soon as you can, that way you have as many months left in your Reward Year to earn 5% cash back. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Have a great day everyone!
I know OBC isn’t open to new apps anymore but have you heard of any recent PCs to it? I have a BCP that isn’t as useful since I’ve switched to the Amex Gold for grocery purchases. Was hoping to PC the BCP to OBC soon since the AF will hit any week now.
I haven’t heard any recent stories, but you can try calling AMEX and asking if that product change option is still available. Good luck and report back what AMEX says.
Huh, you were able to keep this? I had an Amex Green Cash Rewards credit card way back that had the same reward structure, but was forced into the new Blue Cash several years ago.
I never had the Amex Green Cash Rewards, I believe I applied for the AMEX Old Blue Cash directly when the sign up link was still available.
Had mine since 2001. Still active.
Are they still paying out cash for gift cards purchased at grocery stores? I know Amex doesn’t pay out for gc at Simon malls.
As far as I know, yes, you still earn cash back for buying GCs at grocery stores. I switched from the Old Blue Cash CC to the AMEX Gold CC for my grocery store purchases.
Thanks for this. As far as u know, do GC purchases also count toward the initial $6500 spend before the 5X kicks in?
Yes, that’s what worked last year for me.
Thx again! Wondering now this: If I met the initial $6500 spend in 5X categories, earning only 1%, would that cut into the 50K annual spend limit in those 5X categories or not? IOW, if i did that, would I only have $43,500 that would earn 5X the rest of the year? Thx for taking the time to help!
I’m not sure, but I think it might cut into the yearly $50k spend in 5x categories.
I know this is an old post but Im trying to figure out if Im still earning the 5 percent back after I hit 6500. I can’t find it anywhere on my credit card statement.
Hi Danielle, I believe that feature still exists on the AMEX Old Blue Cash. It should show on your statement and online login.
Yes, I have had the card since around 2005. I was trying to look on the amex login for any details on the card and I couldn’t find it, your above post doesn’t look like it. maybe outdated? I haven’t used it that much but was going to start again in May when my year starts again.
Ya, my post is outdated. I haven’t really used my OBC in several years. I’m still trying to decide if I should keep it or change it to another AMEX CC.