Picking My Amex SimplyCash Plus 3% Cash Back Category

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Back in January, I applied (and was approved) for the SimplyCash Plus® Business Credit Card from American Express. At that time, it was the highest sign up offer we’ve ever seen for this card, so I quickly jumped on the opportunity to add this card to my wallet, especially since there is no annual fee.While the sign up offer wasn’t as good as some other card offers at the time, I wanted the card for three reasons: 1) To take advantage of even more money saving Amex Offers, and 2) To get 5% cash back at office supply stores and wireless phone services, and 3) To earn 3% cash back on a category of my choice.

With this card you are able to select one out of eight categories to earn 3% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 spend per calendar year. These categories include:

Airfare purchased from airlines
Hotel rooms purchased from hotels
Car rentals purchased from select car rental companies
U.S gas stations
U.S. restaurants
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
U.S. purchases for shipping
U.S. computer hardware, software and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers

After applying for the card, I received an email from American Express reminding me to select my 3% cash back category. I ultimately selected U.S. gas stations as my category of choice. Right now I am earning 3x points with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card on airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, and restaurants, so I have no need to earn 3% cash back there. I also spend hardly any money on the last three options including media advertising, shipping, and computer hardware, etc. That left me with U.S. gas stations which works out well since I do not have another card that earns me a similar bonus and I spend a decent amount in gas these days since I moved out the suburbs. Since my spending habits and other credit cards I have in my wallet change, it is nice that I can select a new option next calendar year. With this card, the 3% category goes from January 1-December 31 and you can change it every year, if you desire.

Remember, you only have two months to select your 3% cash back category. If you do not make a selection, you will automatically receive 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. Once you select your category of choice, the new category will start that day. Also, if you do not change your category the following year, it will keep with the category you selected from the previous year.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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