Blue Sky from American Express®

[Peter]

The Blue Sky from American Express® is designed for those with very good credit and who plan to take advantage of the reward program.

Through the reward program, cardholders receive one point for every dollar spent on all purchases. An unlimited amount of miles can be earned, and miles do not expire as long as the card is active and within good standing. Points can be redeemed for discounts on any flight, hotel, rental car, or cruise, without blackout dates or travel restrictions. Points can only be redeemed toward one purchase at a time in 7,500 increments, which is equal to a credit of up to $100.

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[keith]

Hello,

I just received an offer in the mail for the Amex Blue Sky credit card. It appears to be a pretty good deal. If I apply now I will receive 22,500 bonus points which apparently is the equivalent of $300. The drawback to the card is that points can only be redeemed for airline flights, hotel stays, car rentals, cruises, and travel packages. We do go on vacation at least one a year so I'm sure I will be able to take advantage of the card whether it's through a car rental, a hotel stay, or a plane trip. Of course, another drawback is that it is an American Express card and it's not accepted everywhere. In order to get the bonus points all I have to do is make $500 worth of purchases in a 60 day period. I can easily do that. What do you guys think about the offer? Right now I exclusively use the Chase Freedom card but I am looking around for something else. Recently we received notice from Chase that our Freedom card was upgraded to the Chase Sapphire card. We did make a phone call to keep it a Freedom card but the CSR told my wife that eventually the Freedom card is going to be phased out. Is this true? Does anyone have confirmation of the transition of the Freedom card to the Sapphire card?

[Eric]

You didn't say whether there is a fee. I am resistant to anything that is less versatile than cash but have been known opportunistically to take advantage of a good deal. This sounds much more versatile than airline miles though less versatile than cash. If the card is free, or free for the first year, you are being offered 23,000 points for $500 in purchases (which will only "cost" you $5-25 you would have received using a cashback card instead). If you intend to use those 23,000 points before they expire it sounds like a good deal. You aren't committing to a monogamous marriage, in richer and poorer 'til death you do part: once you have the Blue Sky card you can decide for yourself whether it is a better deal for you than other cards you may have or may seek.

Wow, a card/thread with 1 post in over 3 years of existence!

[keith]

Hello,

I did sign up for the card today. The card doesn't have an annual fee (and it's not one of those that they waive the fee the first year and then start charging you the annual fee the second year). The rule regarding redemptions of points is that they must be redeemed in 7500 point increments and points can only be redeemed in the form of a statement credit on eligible travel purchases (like airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and travel packages). All I have to do is notify Amex within 60 days from the closing date shown on the billing statement in which the travel purchase first appears to process the redemption of points.

[keith]

Well, three weeks after applying for and receiving the Amex Blue Sky card, Amex sent me another offer for a second Blue Sky card. This card was a little different. It has an annual fee of $50 and earns one point on every dollar for the first $500 in purchases and then two points for every dollar over $500 that same month. It came with the same bonus offer as my previous offer that touted two free roundtrip airline tickets for opening and using the account. Of course, there is a disclaimer that the two free roundtrip tickets are for first time Blue Sky Cardmembers only. The disclaimer continues to read, "You are permitted to have more than one Blue Sky from American Express account, however, you are eligible to receive the welcome bonus for only one Blue Sky from American Express account. Now, why would Amex send another offer to me for a similar card after I just received a card from them? And why would they try and persuade me with a bonus offer that I would not be eligible for?

[uri]

Keith,
I signed up for the Blue Sky card with the bonus 22,500 points.
However, I called today to find out the status of the bonus, and I was told they have no record of it.
DId you experience this?

Do you happen to have a copy of the offer, or the offer code?

Thanks
Uri

[keith]

Hello Uri,

The code I used was S192-888-355-7734. I will tell you this...I did not receive my bonus points until I made at least $500 in purchases and I had paid off my first bill. The points were credited to my account effective the second billing statement.

[keith]

It was very easy to redeem my points on my Amex Blue Sky card. My wife purchased plane tickets in April for our trip to Colorado this year. When I received the bill from Amex...I went...oh my gosh, I've got to redeem my points on the plane tickets! I went to the Amex Blue Sky website and within a couple of clicks I redeemed my 22,500 free points that I got for signing up for the card. Saved me $300 on the plane fares! If I didn't have a grandfathered Freedom card I would definitely use the Blue Sky card more often. Rewards work out to about 1.33% on travel. Not as good as some grandfathered cash rebate cards..but definitely better than most airline cards that also charge annual fees.