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American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review: A Game Changer for Families

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is ideal for cardholders who want to maximize their earnings on groceries, gasoline and other everyday expenses.
  • What we think: The Blue Cash Preferred is one of our favorite cash-back cards. Its rate of 6% back at U.S. supermarkets is top-notch and could be incredibly beneficial to families who spend a lot on groceries. We don’t love the annual fee, but it’s easy enough to make up for with the high-earning cash-back categories.
  • The Blue Cash Preferred card has an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), but offers plenty of value in return.
  • This card offers 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets, 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit expenses and 1% on everything else.
  • This credit card is intended for consumers with good to excellent credit scores. If you think you qualify, you can learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred Card and apply online.
SUMMARY

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. streaming subscriptions, making it ideal for users who want to earn rewards based on their everyday spending habits. Unlike the travel credit cards offered by Amex, the Blue Cash Preferred card also offers 3% cash back on transit expenses, allowing you to maximize your benefits.

We created this guide to help you determine if Blue Cash Preferred is a good fit for your lifestyle. Find out what benefits you get when you sign up for the card, how much it costs to maintain your account and how to earn rewards without overspending.
Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent rewards on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, transit and more
  • 0% APR on purchases for a limited time
  • Don’t need to activate categories

Cons

  • Rewards can only be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • Has an annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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Key Information
Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% back), 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other purchases. $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 per year.

Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card worth it?

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is worth it for people who spend a lot on groceries and streaming services, as its cash-back rate in those categories is insanely good.

You can earn 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1%), 6% back on select streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other purchases. It has a $95 annual fee ($0 for the first year), so even a single person with no dependents can earn enough to cover the annual fee and then some.

Pros of Blue Cash Preferred:
  • This credit card has a low annual fee when compared to the benefits available.
  • Amex offers a 0% introductory APR on this credit card.
  • It’s not as difficult to get Blue Cash Preferred as it is to get some Amex rewards cards.
  • Blue Cash Preferred comes with a generous welcome offer.
Cons of Blue Cash Preferred:
  • Amex only provides 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in grocery expenses each year.
  • Purchases made at online grocery retailers, superstores and wholesale clubs aren’t eligible for 6% cash back, making Blue Cash Preferred less attractive if you do most of your grocery shopping at places like Target, Amazon, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Costco.
  • American Express charges foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases made with this credit card.
  • You must have good or excellent credit to qualify for this card.

Learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred Card

Terms apply / Rates & fees

Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits and perks

Blue Cash Preferred combines travel benefits and shopping benefits to help you maximize your rewards.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred travel benefits

Although Blue Cash Preferred isn’t marketed as a travel rewards credit card, it does come with some travel benefits. 

These are just a few examples of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred travel benefits:

American Express Blue Cash Preferred shopping benefits

Blue Cash Preferred also comes with a variety of shopping benefits, giving you extra peace of mind as you purchase everything from concert tickets to high-end electronics. 

Here’s how Amex protects you when you use this credit card:

1

Return protection*

If you use Blue Cash Preferred to purchase something, you may be eligible for return protection if the retailer refuses to take it back within 90 days of purchase. This credit card benefit is limited to $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year. Return protection only applies to purchases made in the United States or one of its territories.

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2

Fraud protection*

Amex uses intelligent fraud protection systems to monitor your Blue Cash Preferred account and let you know if there’s any suspicious activity. If someone fraudulently uses your credit card, you’re not liable for the unauthorized purchases.

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3

Pay It Plan It®

This feature allows you to split large purchases into equal monthly payments. Instead of charging interest, Amex charges you a fixed monthly fee on these purchases, making it easier to budget your money.

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4

Amex Offers

American Express partners with other companies to offer member-only deals on certain products and services. For example, you may see an offer for $5 cash back on a purchase of $30 or more at a restaurant chain. To take advantage of offers, you must add them to your credit card.

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*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.

Disney Bundle credit

When you use Blue Cash Preferred to pay for the Disney Bundle, you’ll get back up to $7 per month. This gives you the potential to earn $84 per year. To qualify, you must spend at least $9.99 per month on your Disney streaming subscription.

Equinox+ credit

If you use Blue Cash Preferred to pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+, you’ll receive $10 per month in statement credits. You must enroll in the program to receive the credits.

Security features

American Express uses these cutting-edge security features to protect your Blue Cash Preferred account:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Rewards

Let’s take a look at how to earn, redeem and maximize your rewards with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

Bonus offer for new cardholders

Currently, American Express is offering a $250 statement credit to new Blue Cash Preferred cardholders. To qualify for this welcome offer, you must spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases within six months of opening your account. It usually takes eight to 12 weeks to receive your statement credit once you reach the spending threshold. Additionally, your account must be in good standing if you want to receive the welcome bonus.

Earning rewards

American Express gives you several ways to earn rewards as a Blue Cash Preferred cardholder. Your earnings come in the form of Blue Cash Reward Dollars.

Here’s how to earn rewards with this cash-back credit card:

Here’s an example to show you how much you might earn with your Blue Cash Preferred card. Assume you spend $500 per month on groceries, $20 on streaming subscriptions, $200 on gasoline, $60 on tolls and $400 on all other purchases. 

You’d earn the following rewards:

This adds up to $516 in cash back for the year.

Redeeming rewards

When you use your card, you earn Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which are applied to your account as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. Once you redeem your rewards, you can use them to offset your regular expenses or defray the cost of planned purchases. 

For example, if you plan to make a $1,000 purchase and you have $500 in rewards dollars banked, you can use your statement credit like a 50% discount. Instead of paying $1,000 out of pocket, you’ll pay just $500 for your purchase.

Maximizing your rewards

Follow these tips to maximize your earnings with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred rates, fees and limit

It’s important to check the fine print when choosing a credit card. Let’s take a look at the rates, fees and limit for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card (see rates and fees).

Amex Blue Cash Preferred rates

American Express charges the following rates for this credit card:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred fees

American Express offers an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year. Then, you pay $95 per year to maintain your membership. 

Blue Cash Preferred cardholders also pay the following fees:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred limit

American Express sets your limit based on your income and credit history. If your score falls into the good range, you may start out with a limit of $1,000. If you have an excellent credit score and a long history of responsible credit card usage, you may qualify for a much higher limit.

American Express is more than just a credit card issuer

The first step in growing and maintaining consistent savings is to understand your personal finances through checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and more.

If you want to save and grow your money, consider the following Amex products:

How the Blue Cash Preferred card compares to other cards

Blue Cash Preferred has a lower annual fee than many other cards, especially when you consider the high rewards rate on grocery, transit, streaming and gasoline purchases. 

The Blue Cash Preferred card doesn’t offer as many travel benefits as some cards and it comes with a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, so it’s not the best option for frequent travelers or those going overseas.

We’ll compare the Blue Cash Preferred to the Blue Cash Everyday and the American Express Gold Card below, highlighting the reward rate at U.S. supermarkets for each.

Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday

  Blue Cash Preferred Blue Cash Everyday
Reward rate at U.S. supermarkets 6% back on up to $6,000/year, then 1% 3% back on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
Rewards earned on $100/week at the supermarket $6/week ($312/year) $3/week ($156/year)
Annual fee $95 ($0 the first year) $0 (see rates and fees)
Rewards minus annual fee (after the first year) $217/year $156/year

It’s easy for the Blue Cash Preferred to win against the Blue Cash Everyday, even after subtracting the annual fee from the value of rewards earned (see our full Blue Cash Everyday review).

Blue Cash Preferred vs. American Express Gold Card

  Blue Cash Preferred Amex Gold
Reward rate at U.S. supermarkets 6% back on up to $6,000/year, then 1% 4X Membership Rewards points
Rewards earned on $100/week at the supermarket $6/week ($312/year) 400 points/week (20,800 points/year): Worth approx. $124/year when redeemed for statement credits
Annual fee $95 ($0 the first year) $250 (see rates and fees)
Rewards value minus annual fee (after the first year) $217/year -$126/year

The Amex Gold card is primarily a travel card, as the most redemption value comes through transferring to Amex travel partners. Redeeming for cash-back (via statement credits) is worth only about 0.6 cents per point. If you’re looking for a cash-back card, the Blue Cash Preferred wins by a landslide.

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Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred card?

You should get the Blue Cash Preferred card if you have high grocery and transit expenses. For example, this credit card is ideal for commuters who pay daily tolls or take public transportation to and from work several days per week. This card is also great for families, as it rewards you for ordinary purchases. 

If you prefer to earn rewards on travel or dining, some cards offer better rewards in those categories.

How do I get the Blue Cash Preferred card?

To get the Blue Cash Preferred card, complete the application on the American Express website. It’s somewhat difficult to get approved, as you must have good credit. Aim to have a score of at least 670 before you submit your application.

If you’re confident you meet the eligibility criteria, you can learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred Card and apply online. If you do get approved, you’ll get your new card’s info right away so you can use your card instantly.

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Best for Everyday Spending

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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Up to 6% Reward Rate

Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% back), 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$0 the first year, then $95
Welcome Offer
$250
Regular APR
19.24% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent card for grocery spending considering you earn 6% in dollar-for-dollar rewards on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% back). It also offers excellent rewards on select streaming services, purchases at U.S. gas stations, and transit spending.
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Card Details

More Card Info

  • 0% Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers during the first 12 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable)
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Excellent rewards on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, transit and more
  • 0% APR on purchases for a limited time
  • Don’t need to activate categories
Cons
  • Rewards can only be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • Has an annual fee
Bottom Line

Although this card has an annual fee, most families will be able to easily get enough value out of the everyday categories to make it worth it.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred FAQ

Is the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card hard to get?

To get the Blue Cash Preferred credit card, you must have good to excellent credit. It’s a little easier to get than some Amex cards, but it’s not available to consumers with low credit scores.

To get an idea of if you qualify, you can try getting pre-qualified for this Amex card.

What credit score do I need for the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card?

For the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, we recommend having a good to excellent credit score (at least a 670 FICO score) for your best chance of qualifying. Note, however, that your credit score isn’t the only factor American Express uses to determine if you qualify for this credit card.

What is the credit limit on the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card?

Some Blue Cash Preferred customers start with a limit of $1,000, while others qualify for limits exceeding $20,000. Amex sets your limit based on your credit history and income.

How do I get cash back on the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card?

Blue Cash Preferred offers 3% cash back on transit expenses (including gas), 6% on groceries and U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 1% cash back on everything else. To get cash back, all you have to do is use Blue Cash Preferred to pay for eligible purchases. You can maximize your benefits by using Blue Cash Preferred for parking, tolls, bus fare, train fare, ride-sharing apps, groceries and your favorite streaming services.

Is the Amex Gold or Blue Cash Preferred card better?

Gold has better travel benefits, but Blue Cash Preferred gives you a higher percentage of cash back in the grocery category. If you travel frequently, the Gold card may be a better fit for your lifestyle. If you’re more concerned with earning cash back on everyday expenses, then Blue Cash Preferred is the better option.

Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card metal?

No, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is not made of metal, it’s made of plastic.

Does the Blue Cash Preferred card earn points?

No, unlike some American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points, the Blue Cash Preferred earns cash back in the form of Reward Dollars.

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan Personal Finance

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last 5 years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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