Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rating
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a cash back card designed for families and individuals who spend significantly on everyday purchases, particularly at U.S. supermarkets and on U.S. streaming services. It offers high cash back rates in several popular spending categories, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize rewards on daily expenses.
Key Features
- Rewards Structure:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Additional Benefits:
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance.
- Return Protection
- Purchase Protection
- Extended Warranty
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Rewards Program
Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. The minimum redemption is 25 Reward Dollars.
Rates and Fees
- Annual Fee: $95
- Purchase APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR (as of August 2024)
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable (may be applied for late or returned payments)
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- See rates and fees
Who Is This Card For?
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is ideal for:
- Families or individuals who spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets
- Those who subscribe to multiple U.S. streaming services
- Commuters who spend significantly on gas and transit
- People who prefer cash back rewards over travel points
- Those who can comfortably offset the annual fee with their regular spending
Pros
High cash back rate on U.S. supermarket purchases: The 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) is one of the highest rates available for this category, potentially yielding up to $360 in cash back annually
Excellent rewards on U.S. streaming services: The 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, with no spending cap, is ideal for cord-cutters and digital entertainment enthusiasts
Strong earnings on gas and transit: The 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit offers significant value for commuters and frequent drivers, with no spending cap
Cons
Annual fee of $95: While the fee can be offset by the card's rewards, it may be a deterrent for some, especially those with lower spending in the bonus categories
Cap on U.S. supermarket rewards: The 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets is limited to $6,000 in purchases per year, which may be restrictive for larger families or high spenders
Foreign transaction fee: The 2.7% foreign transaction fee makes this card less suitable for international travel or purchases from foreign websites