Getting approved for an American Express card like the Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday can be a great way to earn lucrative rewards on your spending. However, American Express has high credit standards, so you’ll typically need good or excellent credit to qualify.
In this article, I’ll explain the credit score ranges you should aim for with the Blue Cash cards, factors that impact approval odds, and ways to boost your score if it’s not quite high enough yet.
Blue Cash Credit Score Requirements
American Express doesn’t publish specific minimum credit scores for its cards But based on approval data, you can expect to need one of these credit scores at minimum for the Blue Cash cards
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card – Score of 700+
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card – Score of 670+
Here’s a quick rundown of the major credit score ranges
- Poor: 300-579
- Fair: 580-669
- Good: 670-739
- Very Good: 740-799
- Exceptional: 800-850
As you can see, the recommended score for the Everyday card falls into the good range, while the Preferred requires very good credit or higher for approval in most cases
Why Your Credit Score Matters
When you apply for a credit card, issuers check your credit report and score to gauge your creditworthiness. Specifically, they look at metrics like:
- Payment history – Have you paid bills on time in the past?
- Credit utilization – What percentage of your limits do you use?
- Credit history length – How long have you had credit?
- Credit inquiries – How many applications have you submitted recently?
The higher your credit score, the better you look in the eyes of issuers. A score of 700+ demonstrates responsible credit behavior and suggests you’ll be able to manage new credit lines.
Other Factors in Approval Decisions
While your credit score carries weight, it’s not the only criteria issuers consider. Other aspects of your profile also impact approval odds, including:
- Income – Do you earn enough to afford the card?
- Existing debt – How much do you currently owe creditors?
- Housing status – Are you a renter or homeowner?
Even if your credit score is a bit low, you may still get approved by excelling in these other areas. But boosting your score should be a priority to improve your chances.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
If your credit score needs a boost before you apply for Blue Cash, here are some tips to implement:
-
Pay all bills on time. Payment history has the greatest impact on your scores. Set up autopay if you tend to forget due dates.
-
Lower your credit utilization. Try to keep balances below 30% of your credit limits on each card.
-
Avoid new credit applications. Each application causes a hard inquiry, which can ding your score a few points. Apply only for cards you need.
-
Correct errors on your credit reports. Mistakes on your reports could unfairly drag down your scores. Dispute them with the bureaus.
-
Become an authorized user. Being added as an authorized user on someone else’s old account can quickly add positive history.
-
Wait for negative marks to fade. Most negative marks remain on your reports for about 7 years. Their impact lessens over time.
With diligent credit management over time, you can absolutely raise your scores enough to meet Amex requirements. It just takes patience and discipline.
Alternatives If You Can’t Get Blue Cash
If your credit score needs more time to improve, consider one of these alternatives in the meantime:
-
Amex EveryDay® Card – No annual fee and easier to qualify for.
-
Amex Gold Card® – Great dining and grocery rewards with a $250 annual fee.
-
Citi Custom CashSM Card – 5% back in your top spending category each billing cycle.
-
Chase Freedom FlexSM – Rotating 5% cash back categories with no annual fee.
The Blue Cash cards will still be there when your credit profile is ready for them. In the meantime, building your credit with another rewards card is a smart move.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, excellent credit is key to getting approved for the top American Express cards like the Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday. If your credit could use some TLC, focus on improving it with responsible habits over time. Once your scores reach the 700+ range, go ahead and submit an application to start maximizing your everyday spending.
Editor’s NoteThis is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
If youre looking for a great cash-back credit card to help you rack up rewards on everyday spending purchases, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
This card earns an impressive 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending each calendar year; then 1% cash back) and select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on everything else. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
It also features a $0 introductory annual fee, then $95 thereafter (see rates and fees).
If the Blue Cash Preferred card sounds like a good fit for you, heres what you should know about the ideal credit score needed to increase your chances of being approved once you apply.
Credit score required for the Blue Cash Preferred
No specific credit score is required to be approved for the Blue Cash Preferred. Like other issuers, Amex considers several factors to make an approval decision. So, having a certain credit score wont automatically mean youll be approved for the card. DAMIRCUDIC/GETTY IMAGES
Amex recommends having “good to excellent” credit to apply for the card, which means you should aim for at least a 670 score. However, we recommend a 700+ credit score for increased chances of getting approved.
The Blue Cash Preferred is a mid-tier card, which means youll typically have an easier time applying for it than premium travel cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
What credit score do I need for American Express Blue Cash
FAQ
What credit score do you need for an Amex Blue Cash Card?
You’ll need a good to excellent credit score (670 to 850) to have the best odds of approval for the Blue Cash Everyday.
Is it hard to get an American Express Blue Cash Card?
What FICO score is needed for American Express card?
Can I get approved for Amex with a 600 credit score?
Amex typically requires a higher credit score, usually around 670, for more favorable credit limits.Aug 14, 2024
What credit score do I need for Amex blue cash preferred?
If you’re applying for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Amex requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. Here is a breakdown of the credit score ranges based on the FICO scoring model. Keep in mind that Amex doesn’t solely look at your credit score when determining your eligibility for this card.
What credit score do I need to get the Blue cash everyday card?
What credit score do I need to get the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express? American Express requires a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the Blue Cash Everyday Card. A good credit score is considered anything from 670 to 739, while an excellent score is one that’s 740 or higher.
What credit score do you need to get an Amex card?
While there is no set score that will guarantee that you will be approved for an Amex card, you generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for the best (premium) American Express cards. Leading credit bureau Experian defines a good credit score as 670 or better and a very good credit score as 740 or better.
Do you need a good credit score to get a blue cash preferred?
If you’re a savvy credit card user, you’ve probably heard of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees). Before you rush to snag this card, your credit score must be in good shape. Amex requires a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
Does American Express require a good credit score?
American Express requires a good or excellent credit score to qualify for its popular Blue Cash Everyday Card. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards, or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.
Can I get approved for the AMEX blue cash everyday?
That means people with good credit or better have a shot at getting approved for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday. Note that while your credit score is an important factor, there are plenty of other things that will impact your chances of being approved for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, too.