Once upon a time, people thought that a credit card was just a piece of plastic used as a convenient way to pay, and it was common for people to keep the same credit card for a very long time.
This is now different. The fierce competition between credit card companies and the fact that there are too many credit card products have turned plastic into just another commodity. Consumers are becoming more picky and less loyal all the time. People often switch from one card to another to take advantage of introductory deals, lower interest rates, and better rewards. In addition, there is a growing demand for more from the issuers, or a better value proposition. "How will your product make my life better, Mr./Ms. Issuer?"
When they came out with their American Express Blue credit card in 1999, American Express was the first company to catch on to this trend. The American Express Blue credit card is about as close as you can get to a credit card that works for everyone.
The American Express Blue credit card is good for both young and old people, people who care about their style and status, shoppers, travellers, rewards fans, technology addicts, economy class consumers, people who carry a balance and people who settle their balances. Above all, the American Express Blue card is much more than just a credit card. It is a "bookkeeper," a travel agent, a shopping mall, a financial adviser, an ombudsman, an insurer, an emergency service, and more.
Maybe we should take a quick look at some of the American Express Blue card's too-many-to-list-everything features.
- The American Express Blue credit card doesn't have an annual fee for the card itself or for the rewards programme. The APR on balance transfers is a modest 4.99 percent for as long as the balance is open, while the APR on purchases is 12.24 percent. The American Express Blue card also has a long introductory offer of 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months. 20 interest-free grace days make the deal even more appealing. The only thing you need to be careful about with your American Express Blue credit card is getting cash advances. It has a high APR of 23.24 percent.
- The American Express Blue credit card is great for shopping because it not only has 24/7 customer service, but also buyer's assurance, purchase protection, and return protection. In practise, this means that when you pay with your American Express Blue card, you and your purchase are protected against problems with the merchant.
- If you plan to travel, the American Express Blue credit card offers car rental loss and damage insurance, travel accident insurance, emergency card replacement, and access to the Global Assist Hotline. The latter gives American Express Blue card holders a wide range of services, such as emergency, legal, and medical help, help with lost luggage, help with passports and visas, etc.
You also get good deals on shopping and travel.
- Last but not least, American Express gives its customers financial advice and tools to help them better manage and control their own money.
The American Express Blue credit card is more than just a credit card. It comes with real value-added services.
