American Express Blue Sky and Blue Sky Preferred Review
Updated September 26, 2016.
The Facts
The Facts
Amex Blue Sky
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Amex Blue Sky Preferred
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- Best Use of Blue Sky points: Note that the card does not earn Membership Rewards Express points or Membership Rewards points. Points are unique to Blue Sky and Blue Sky Preferred cards - for every 7,500 you can receive $100 statement credit toward any type of travel purchases, essentially making 1.33 cent per point.
- Other Benefits: (1) Amex Offers - you receive savings in form of statement credit or earn bonus MR points on select merchants when using your Amex card; you need to manually add an offer to your Amex card to be eligible for savings or bonus, and unlike other savings/bonus programs, you don't need to shop through a certain portal. (2) ShopRunner membership for free 2-day shipping with select merchants. (3) Entertainment Access including American Express Presale and Premium Access (Dining Access).
The Math
Blue Sky is a straight 1.33% rewards card. In terms of rewards, many other cards are better including FIA Fidelity Amex which is on our Top List. Some people prefer Amex's customer service and built-in benefits such as extended warranty and purchase protection and this card may be good. Note that customer service and claims with Amex cards issued by other companies such as FIA are not handled by Amex Company but rather the card issuers.
If you take advantage of $100 airline incidental it is a no-brainer to upgrade to Blue Sky Preferred. If not, you need to spend $5,639 on 2x categories to negate the $75 annual fee.
The Conclusion
Generally we don't recommend Blue Sky or Blue Sky Preferred from rewards point of view. But if you want a "real" Amex card then they may be good to you. You may consider a Blue Sky & Blue Cash combo if you want maximize cash back (or equivalent) rewards.
