American Express discontinued the Clear Card in 2021, and cardholders were moved to other American Express products
American Express stopped issuing the Clear Card several years ago. If you held this card, American Express automatically converted your account to a different product — usually the Blue Cash Everyday or Blue Cash Preferred, depending on your spending and account history. The company did not close accounts outright; instead, it shifted existing cardholders to cards with similar or overlapping benefits.
The Clear Card was a no-annual-fee cash back card that offered 1% cash back on all purchases. It was positioned as a straightforward alternative to American Express's premium cards, which carry annual fees. When American Express retired it, the company consolidated its cash back offerings into the Blue Cash line, which now serves both fee-free and premium segments.
If you are looking for information about what happened to a Clear Card account you held, or if you are considering American Express cash back cards now, understanding the transition and your current options matters for your long-term card strategy.
Key Takeaways
- American Express moved Clear Card accounts to either the Blue Cash Everyday (no annual fee) or Blue Cash Preferred (annual fee) between 2020 and 2021.
- The Blue Cash Everyday offers the same 1% cash back on all purchases that the Clear Card provided, with no annual fee.
- If your account was converted to Blue Cash Preferred, you are now paying an annual fee and receiving higher cash back rates on specific categories.
- You can request a product change to a different American Express card if your current card does not match your spending habits.
What Happened to Clear Card Accounts
American Express notified Clear Card holders in advance that the product was being discontinued. Rather than closing accounts, the company automatically converted them to a replacement card. Most cardholders were moved to the Blue Cash Everyday, which carries no annual fee and offers 1% cash back on all purchases — the same core benefit the Clear Card provided.
Some cardholders, particularly those with higher spending or account tenure, were converted to the Blue Cash Preferred instead. This card charges an annual fee but offers higher cash back rates in specific categories: 3% on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, and buses), 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 1% on everything else. If you were moved to this card and do not use those categories heavily, the annual fee may not be worth the benefit.
American Express sent notices before the transition occurred, but not all cardholders read or retained them. If you are unsure which card you were converted to, log into your American Express account online or call the number on the back of your card to confirm your current product.
Comparing Your Current Card to Other American Express Options
If you were converted to the Blue Cash Everyday, your card works much as the Clear Card did: flat 1% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee, and American Express acceptance at most merchants. This is a reasonable fit if you have straightforward, consistent spending across categories and do not want to track bonus categories.
If you were converted to the Blue Cash Preferred and the annual fee does not align with your spending, you have options. The Blue Cash Preferred makes sense if you spend heavily on gas, transit, or both — the 3% rates can offset the annual fee quickly. However, if your spending is spread across many categories or you rarely use those bonus categories, the Blue Cash Everyday or a different American Express card may be a better fit.
American Express also offers the Green Card (annual fee, higher rewards on travel and dining), the Gold Card (annual fee, high rewards on dining and airfare), and the Platinum Card (premium annual fee, extensive travel and concierge benefits). Each targets different spending patterns. You can request a product change to any of these cards through your American Express account or by calling customer service.
How to Change Your Card If You Are Unhappy With the Conversion
If your current American Express card does not match your spending, you can request a product change without closing your account. Log into your American Express account online and look for the "Manage Your Card" or "Card Services" section — most product changes can be requested there. Alternatively, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask to change to a different American Express product.
A product change keeps your existing account open and your credit history intact, which is better for your credit score than closing the card and opening a new one. The process usually takes a few business days. Your new card will arrive in the mail, and your old card will stop working once the new one is activated.
If you want to leave American Express entirely, you can close the account, but this will remove the card's history from your credit report after seven years. If you are considering this, weigh the impact on your credit profile against the benefits of keeping the account open with a different product.
Why American Express Discontinued the Clear Card
American Express consolidated its cash back offerings to streamline its product line. The Clear Card and the Blue Cash Everyday served similar purposes — both offered straightforward cash back with no annual fee — so maintaining two separate products was redundant. By moving Clear Card holders to the Blue Cash line, American Express reduced complexity for customers and simplified its marketing and operations.
The discontinuation also gave American Express an opportunity to move some higher-value customers to the Blue Cash Preferred, which generates revenue through the annual fee. This is standard practice in the credit card industry: when a product is retired, issuers use the transition to shift customers toward products that better match their spending or profitability profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Clear Card back?
No. American Express has not reissued the Clear Card since discontinuing it. If you want a no-annual-fee cash back card from American Express, the Blue Cash Everyday is the current equivalent. It offers the same 1% cash back on all purchases.
Will my credit score be affected by the product change?
A product change within American Express does not close your account or trigger a hard inquiry, so it should not harm your credit score. Your account age and payment history remain on your credit report. Closing the account entirely would have a larger impact.
What if I was converted to Blue Cash Preferred and do not want to pay the annual fee?
You can request a product change to the Blue Cash Everyday or another American Express card with no annual fee. Call the number on your card or log into your account online to make the change. There is no penalty for switching.
Do I lose my cash back balance if I change cards?
No. Any cash back you have earned remains in your account and can be redeemed regardless of which American Express card you hold. The cash back is tied to your account, not the specific card product.
Is the Blue Cash Everyday as good as the Clear Card was?
For cash back rate, yes — both offer 1% on all purchases with no annual fee. The main difference is that the Blue Cash Everyday is part of a larger product family, so American Express may market other benefits or features differently. For basic cash back, the two cards are functionally equivalent.