Blue Cash from American Express (Original)
By Alex Compton · Last verified
5 percent on groceries and gas up to 50,000 dollars a year, never matched since.
Welcome Bonus
None recorded
Last recorded offer
Spend Requirement
None recorded
Last recorded requirement
Annual Fee
$0
Last recorded · 2.7% FTF
Credit Score
700+
(Good-Excellent)
Common Questions
Is the Blue Cash from American Express (Original) discontinued?
Yes. Discontinued. 5 percent on groceries and gas up to 50,000 dollars a year, never matched since.
What can I use instead of the Blue Cash from American Express (Original)?
The closest open alternatives we track are the Blue Cash Preferred, Blue Cash Everyday Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card. Each links to our full review with its current offer and complete breakdown.
Open Alternatives
The Old Blue Cash is gone, but these cards do a similar job and are still accepting applications.
6% at US supermarkets. The family grocery card.
3% groceries, gas, and online retail with no fee.
Free hotel status and big point hauls for no fee.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-09 | $50 | $500 in 3 mo | Terms reconfirmedQuietly delisted around 2014, officially retired from marketing in 2018 | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2007-05 | $50 | $500 in 3 mo | Earliest recordToken 50 dollar incentive, the tiered earning was the draw | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledgerEvent-level primary-source attachments begin with the September 2026 verification system. Older records remain visible but are not retroactively presented as evidenced.
Historical record · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
Last Recorded Earning Rates
These terms are historical context and are not presented as current.
- 5xUS supermarkets, gas stations and drugstoresAfter 6,500 dollars of annual spend, on up to 50,000 dollars per year
- 1xSupermarkets, gas and drugstores before the 6,500 dollar tier
- 1xEverything elseReduced rate below the spend tier
Last Recorded Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Last Recorded Benefits
Confirm availability and enrollment requirements with the issuer.
- ✦The 50,000 dollar annual 5 percent ceiling dwarfed every modern category cap
- ✦Grandfathered holders kept the original formula for years after delisting
Why it earns its spot
- +Up to 2,175 dollars of cash back per card year was possible
- +Heavy grocery and gas spenders never found a better card again
Where it costs you
- −Earned almost nothing until you cleared the 6,500 dollar tier
- −Cash back paid out only once per year
The Compound Verdict
Before the modern Blue Cash Everyday and Preferred arrived in 2011, the original Blue Cash paid 5 percent at supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores after a 6,500 dollar annual tier, on up to 50,000 dollars of spend. Amex stopped taking applications around 2014 but grandfathered holders kept the formula for years, and big-box manufactured spenders treated it like a printing press. Its caps have never been matched.
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