American Express Discontinues SimplyCash 5% Card For New Signups

American Express has apparently discontinued signups for the SimplyCash card which earned 5% at office supply stores, among others.

A reader sent in a tip about this yesterday, and it now appears to have gone into effect. Earlier today we reported on a new 2% business card from American Express called the Blue Business Cash. That seems to be a replacement for the SimplyCash card.

Existing SimplyCash cardholders should continue to enjoy all benefits and earnings rates as before. It’s possible they have a plan to convert everyone away from those cards at some point down the road or they may keep existing cardholders indefinitely at the current benefit terms.

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26 Comments
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Steelerfan
Steelerfan (@guest_785037)
July 18, 2019 18:15

I literally got approved for the simplycash on Monday (3 days ago) and haven’t even received the physical card yet (although I do have access in the AMEX app and Apple Pay). It included a pretty nice cash back SUB too! Looking forward to the benefits. Not surprised it was pulled form the line up.

CM
CM (@guest_785017)
July 18, 2019 17:32

It seems that existing refer.amex links no longer work, and new links are no longer provided; I’m thinking whether it makes sense to keep the card now, or to cancel it.

I’m actually very surprised that I’ve only ever gotten a single referral out of it, from the DoC’s referral chain back about a year ago or so. I’ve posted the link everywhere, and you’d think the signups would be great for this card, given a huge signup bonus in a bonus category (e.g., even if they deny you the bonus, you still get 5% return — not bad). I’ve gotten both the 5% bonus on my MS, as well as the signup bonus itself.

I think a major reason for the lack of popularity was all the FUD that went around it last year about not crediting 5% points. I think DoC helped spread out this FUD, too, and never quite debunked it, either. Card had a 0% APR, plus was Biz, so, you could easily carry a balance without issues. It was a great card, sad to see it go.

raekwon
raekwon (@guest_784950)
July 18, 2019 15:37

Got my SC Plus card just last month. Glad I got in under the wire.

PJ
PJ (@guest_784923)
July 18, 2019 14:47

Whew! I signed up a few weeks ago. I got lucky with the approval as it was my 2nd Amex credit card that day and 6th overall

Brian
Brian (@guest_784902)
July 18, 2019 14:10

Would have applied for this if I knew if were being discontinued.

If a reader sent you this yesterday why didn’t you write about it?

Brian
Brian (@guest_784901)
July 18, 2019 14:09

Would have applied for this if I knew if were being discontinued.

If a reader sent you this yesterday why didn’t you write about it?

Howard
Howard (@guest_785004)
July 18, 2019 17:08

Not going to matter if they plan to convert everyone or do a mass shutdown. AMEX has done a mass shutdown before.

Bryan
Bryan (@guest_786368)
July 22, 2019 10:40

Cuz he’s not on call like a real doctor? Hahaha 🙂

Chucks
Chucks (@guest_784813)
July 18, 2019 11:32

5% in a static category simply isn’t sustainable on a no AF card. We’ve seen it time and time again.

AlwaysChurning
AlwaysChurning (@guest_785109)
July 18, 2019 20:09

Ink cash.

AKJohnny
AKJohnny (@guest_785490)
July 19, 2019 15:24

I love my Ink Cash!!

Thom
Thom (@guest_784765)
July 18, 2019 10:17

Damn. I was goong to apply for the SimplyCash this week after I cancelled one of my five amex credit cards.
I wish there had been notice that it was ending…I’d apply for it now, but it’s already gone from the application list with no notice.

captainsave
captainsave (@guest_784772)
July 18, 2019 10:22

Same here simplycash was the next card to get on my list. 🙁

Paul
Paul (@guest_784774)
July 18, 2019 10:26

Let’s hope there’s a zombie link out there somewhere.

MSer
MSer (@guest_784750)
July 18, 2019 10:06

No surprise. SC Biz became a terrible card ever since Amex stopped giving 5% cb for gift cards at many office supply about a year ago. Blue Business Plus with 2x everywhere up to $50,000 is what I changed to.

Celia
Celia (@guest_784758)
July 18, 2019 10:13

I get 5% for every gift card I buy at Staples and Office Depot. I only use the original card for the 5% category so it’s easy to know.

Josh
Josh (@guest_784761)
July 18, 2019 10:15

I also still get the 5% at staples

Steve F
Steve F (@guest_784762)
July 18, 2019 10:15

I always get the 5% for gift cards at Staples too. That’s the only spend I ever put on the card.

Information Booth
Information Booth (@guest_784941)
July 18, 2019 15:29

+1… never had a problem with it. John 3:16

Svy
Svy (@guest_784766)
July 18, 2019 10:18

Same here; first I’ve heard from anyone that Amex didn’t give 5% cb for gift cards at any office supply store on this card.

LNK
LNK (@guest_784831)
July 18, 2019 12:05

I am also STILL getting all my GC purchase at Staples with 5% CB

CM
CM (@guest_784857)
July 18, 2019 12:42

I don’t know why you need to be spreading such FUD, but there was never a documented issue with SCP — only someone, apparently, being confused on when the cashback is actually issued, raising false alarm, and folks not taking such bogus reports at face value — AmEx always takes a long time on all of their cards.

Yeshu
Yeshu (@guest_784887)
July 18, 2019 13:48

Stop spreading BS man

raekwon
raekwon (@guest_784966)
July 18, 2019 15:57

**insert “why you always lyin” GIF here**

Celia
Celia (@guest_784745)
July 18, 2019 10:00

I love my Simply Cash cards, have both the original and the Plus. Was my first business card when I started my business. Hope they don’t convert.