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There was once a time in the points and miles world that the kids these days wouldn't believe was possible. Rewards grew on trees, and the harvest was ripe and eternal. One of those endless fruits was the old Blue Cash Card from American Express.
For years, cardholders could earn an uncapped 5% cash back on everyday purchases once they cleared the annual spending threshold. Groceries, gas, and drugstores were all fair game, and for big spenders, the rewards piled up fast.
Of course, that didn't last forever. American Express eventually capped the 5% category at $50,000 in purchases per reward year, but even then, it has remained an incredibly rewarding cash-back card.
Sadly, this card will be no more. American Express has begun notifying cardholders that the legacy Blue Cash Card will be discontinued. Beginning March 4, 2027, existing cardholders will be automatically converted to the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
The good news is that cardholders don't need to do anything. Their account number, rewards balance, and payment history will carry over automatically. However, the rewards structure will change significantly.
What Changes?
The biggest change is, unsurprisingly, the rewards rate. The old Blue Cash card's once-famous 5% cash-back earnings have long since been scaled back, but cardholders could still earn elevated cash back on everyday purchases.
After the conversion, cardholders will instead earn the Blue Cash Everyday‘s standard rewards:
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back with U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 1% back on other eligible purchases
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
While that's not as great of earning rates as the old Blue Cash Card, it's still a compelling option compared to what's currently available.
(Terms apply)
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back with U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 1% back on other eligible purchases
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
While it's always sad to see a legend ride off into the sunset, this change probably won't affect many cardholders as much as it would have a decade ago. The old Blue Cash card has been closed to new applicants for years, and its once jaw-dropping rewards have gradually become less generous over time.
Even so, for longtime points and miles enthusiasts, this marks the end of one of the most iconic cash-back cards.
Related: The 3 Credit Cards That Earn a Place in My Everyday Wallet
Bottom Line
Every generation of points and miles enthusiasts has its stories. Mine involve US Airways Dividend Miles, the Starwood Preferred Guest program, and an old Blue Cash card that sounds made up these days.
This conversion probably won't change anyone's day-to-day spending strategy. But it's still a little bittersweet to watch another rewards icon fade into history.
RIP, OBC. The rewards world just isn't what it used to be.
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For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
