American Express Blue Cash VS. WaMu Platinum MasterCard

American Express Blue Card

5% cash back on purchases made at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores (if purchases exceed $6,500.00 for the year; otherwise, 1% cash back)

0% intro APR on purchases for first 6 months

Unlimited cash rewards


WaMu Platinum MasterCard

0% intro APR on purchases until February 2009

3 "bonus" features (I'm only interested in the FREE online Access to my FICO credit score; the other two seem pretty standard to me: money saving discounts and automatic credit line review)


Which card is better? I would be all over the Blue Cash card, but I hesitate because of the $6,500/year quota to get the benefits. The thing I like about the WaMu card is the fact that you can see your FICO credit score online for free, but there are no other benefits.

If any of you have either or both of the cards, please say how you like the card.

 

I want both, but I should only get one. I've got 2 credit cards right now: my first ever card with NOTHING on it as far as perks, and the Chase Freedom Card.

I'm trying to keep 3 credit cards. I'm leaning towards the WaMu card for the FICO score access, but the Blue card has some pretty good perks. Is the FICO score access on the Wamu card available everytime you sign into your account, or is it only available once a month or year? And does it count as a pull?

 

Yeah I think I'm gonna go with the WaMu for the FICO score access. the Blue card has all the features my Freedom card has except the rewards a little better (if I spend more than $6500/year with it).

But now, I don't know if it's such a good time to get a WaMu credit card since it might be acquired by Chase. I don't know if they'd close my account or not if Chase took over, and that'll look bad since I'd just be opening it.

Sure they just got $7 billion from TPG and are cutting jobs and home loan facilities, but it could also be a prelude to a sale.
MadMax, why do you think WaMu is the devil?

 

1. Chase has already stated that if they buy WaMu, they will close all sub-prime accounts. When I researched Wamu's credit card, a lot of people were saying cardholders should enjoy it while they can. But, these are just assumptions.

2. this is probably why they're closing all home loan stand alone offices. all the foreclosures have taken a toll on that department. they were giving away loans like crazy, which is probably why they were so hard to deal with.

 

1. I think they'd freeze spending on the account and leave the balance as a note. Basically, it'll be just another bill to pay off, only this time you can't add to it. Once it's gone, it's done.

I've heard a lot of bad things about WaMu. I have a checking account there, and if I didn't know somebody, I would have left a long time ago. Call it perk if you will.

The Wamu credit card used to be providian, and when wamu bought it, just about everyone's interest rate jumped sky high for no reason. Rightfully so since they claimed it was subject to change.

On the flip side, I hear it's REAL easy to talk wamu into lowering your interest rate. maybe it's because they don't train their customer service reps very well.

As far as newer customers, I've heard good things about the card. I'll wait a few more weeks to see what develops with the JP Morgan deal. It can go either way since they raised $7 billion in capital. Either they raised that money to make a little profit before selling, or they're going to try to recover.

As far as the American Express Blue or Blue Cash card, how hard is it to get the card? What kind of score do you need? Thanks

 

Are there any other reward benefits with the RealRewards card? any annual fees? Where could I get information on that particular card? All I see is the Platinum Mastercard, both in mail and wamu.com

 

For the triple post (no edit account haha), can you upgrade the regular wamu platinum mastercard to the realrewards later without closing and opening accounts?