American Express recently introduced a new charge card aimed at younger consumers, or anyone looking for a charge card with a low annual fee. It’s called ZYNC(SM) from American Express. This is my review of the ZYNC Card (commonly misspelled, ZINC Card). Below you’ll learn about the American Express ZYNC card, how it compares to the Gold and Blue cards, how you can earn rewards using the lifestyle packs, and how to apply for the Amex ZYNC card.
The Charge Card Alternative: ZYNC American Express
A big trend I see in the personal finance world is a movement away from pure credit card use, and a move towards cash only, debit card only, as well as, charge card only. I know certain consumers are tired of the hassle that comes along with dealing with a credit card and the potential dangers there as well. I also know that those same consumers want a way to keep building a solid credit history (by reporting payments, not utilization) and maintain protection on their purchases. A charge card is a great alternative to the credit card, and it builds credit history unlike debit cards. Read more about charge cards and how they differ from credit cards.
Now American Express has released this ZYNC card and a whole new set of consumers are jumping onto the concept of paying their bill off every month and only using a card to build credit history, maintain protection on purchases, and earn rewards points.
A quick note about credit history, score, and charge cards. A charge card may help you build credit history by reporting your consistent payments to the bureaus. This also helps your score. However, a charge card does not help your credit utilization, which is also heavily factored into your credit score. Here’s a video where a guy from Credit.com jumps all over American Express, unnecessarily in my opinion, about marketing this card as a credit building card. I think they are both missing the point. The card helps build history, but doesn’t improve credit utilization. So to say the card doesn’t help your credit score would be incorrect. Watch the video and you decide…
About The ZYNC(SM) Card from American Express
This card is a charge card. Which means you have to pay it off each month. The card comes with an annual fee of $25. This is one of the lowest annual fees available for a charge card. The card pays you 1 reward point for every dollar you spend. You have the opportunity to earn 2 points per dollar when you book travel through American Express Travel.
10,000 Point Bonus: With ZYNC(SM), you get to earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after first purchase!
Lastly, with ZYNC(SM) from American Express you have the opportunity to enroll in 1 of 4 “Lifestyle Pack” categories and double your reward points per dollar spent. Here’s how the Lifestyle Packs look:
Amex ZYNC(SM) Packs (Lifestyle Packs)
- Go Pack ($20 Annually) – Includes a free enrollment to Credit Card Registry (cancels and replaces your cards with one phone call), big percentage off car rentals, instant $50 credit towards travel book through American Express.
- Social Pack ($20 Annually) – Earn 2 points per dollar on restaurants. Plus, get access to advanced event ticket sales.
- Connect Pack ($20 Annually) – Earn 2 points per dollar on cell phone and internet charges.
- Eco Pack (Free) – Earn 2 points per dollar spent on green living expenses.
You can choose to participate in none, any, or all of the lifestyle packs.
Compare the Amex ZYNC(SM) vs Gold Card from American Express
The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card differs by having an annual fee of $125. It also doesn’t allow you to participate in the Lifestyle Packs mentioned above, although it does have a decent rewards system. The Gold card does come with the opportunity to earn 10,000 initial bonus points. The ZYNC card doesn’t have an initial bonus besides the $50 credit on Amex Travel Packages. Both are charge cards that you must pay off in full each month.
Compare the Amex ZYNC vs Blue from American Express
Blue from American Express is a true credit card. Therefore it’s very different from the ZYNC card. With the Blue card, you don’t need to pay your balance off each month. Interest charges will apply though. The Blue card comes with a promotional APR on purchases of 0% for six months, which is nice. The Blue card earns rewards similar to the ZYNC card without the Lifestyle pack options. Lastly, the Blue card doesn’t have an annual fee. The actual Blue card from American Express has been canceled. The now only offer their Blue Cash and their Blue Sky cards.
How to Apply for ZYNC from American Express
Applying for this card is very easy and takes less than a minute. Visit American Express, read more about what this card offers, view the terms and conditions, and submit your application. You’ll receive a response within a minute.
Apply Now for the ZYNC Card from American Express!
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
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