Reward details
Current Offer
Our Rating
0% Intro
Annual Fee
APR
- 0% Intro APR
- Welcome Bonus
- Annual Fee
- Redemption Restrictions
Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Our Rating
PROS
- 0% Intro APR
- Cash Back Welcome Bonus
CONS
- Annual Fee
- Redemption Restrictions
APR
19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95 ($0 intro for the first year)
0% Intro
12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Credit Requirements
Good – Excellent Credit
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express sits among the elite of cash-back credit cards and it is one of the most ideal cards for families. The card offers you to 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases .
The cashback is usually received in the form of reward dollars and can be redeemed as a statement credit whenever the rewards are more than $25. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Premier rewards, however, come at an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro for the first year), which is quite pricey, especially since their competitors do this for free (See rates & fees). But, their high reward standards and rates shall more than make up for this fee to the cardholders, especially people with families.
Overall, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card is recommended for those who spend heavily in its bonus categories but may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those who prefer more flexibility in reward redemption.
- Is there a limit to rewards/cash back? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%.
- Can I get car rental insurance? how? Yes, you will get this insurance if you refuse the car rental company’s insurance coverage and you pay for the entire cost of the rental with this card.
- Does it have a cash-back/point rewards limit? You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1%. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
- Do you need a proof of income? No transparent income requirements or proof of income requests.
- Does the rewards points expire? They do not expire once you keep your account open and meet a few basic conditions.
- Can I get pre-approved? Yes, you can get pre-approval.
- What is the initial credit limit? It will be at least $1,000 and usually greater.
- How do I redeem cash back? The rewards will be credited to you in the form of a statement credit.
Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
In this Review..
Pros & Cons
Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card to determine if it aligns with your wallet's preferences and needs.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Welcome Bonus
| Annual Fee |
0% Intro APR | Foreign Transaction Fee |
Cash Back Rewards | Caps on Bonus Categories |
Additional Benefits | No Travel Rewards Emphasis |
Statement Credits for Subscriptions |
- Welcome Bonus
American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
- 0% Intro APR
If you are looking to save money on interest, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers a 12 months on purchases and balance transfers , then 19.24% – 29.99% Variable thereafter.
- High Cash Back Rewards
American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
- Additional Benefits
Cardmembers enjoy perks like the Global Assist hotline for emergency assistance, return protection, rental car loss and damage insurance, and the ability to send money and split purchases through the Amex App.
- Statement Credits for Subscriptions
Users of Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ can enjoy up to $7 statement credit each month when spending $9.99 or more through the service, providing value for entertainment subscriptions.
- Annual Fee
American Express Blue Cash Preferred has a $95 ($0 intro for the first year) annual fee. This fee eats into some of the cashback rewards. Many cashback credit cards do not have annual fees.
- Foreign Transaction Fee
American Express Blue Cash Preferred has a 2.70% fee for each transaction in another country. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. you may want to leave this card at home.
- Caps on Bonus Categories
There are limitations on the 6% cash back categories, such as not earning the full cash back if streaming services are bundled with other products or billed by a third party.
- No Travel Rewards Emphasis
The card is not ideal for frequent travelers, lacking significant travel benefits and featuring a foreign transaction fee.
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Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?
The best way to see if the Blue Cash Preferred is the right choice for your needs, is to calculate the amount of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn.
Keep in mind that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your own consumer preferences and spending habits.
| |
|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Amex Blue Cash Preferred® |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $450 |
$5,000 – Restaurants
| $50 |
$2,000 – Airline | $20 |
$2,000 – Hotels | $20 |
$4,000 – Gas | $120 |
Estimated Annual Value | $660 |
How to Redeem Your Cash Back?
When it comes to redeem your Blue Cash Preferred cash back, it's quite simple. Log into your American Express account and select “Use Reward Dollars” to redeem your Reward Dollars.
You can redeem your available Reward Dollars balance for a statement credit at a rate of 1.00 Reward Dollar to $1.00 as long as your available Reward Dollars balance is 25 or more.
Simply enter the number of Reward Dollars you want to use as a credit toward your next statement balance, and the credit should appear within three days.
Make The Most of Your Blue Cash Preferred
Here are some pointers to help you make the most of your Amex Blue Cash Preferred card:
- Use Amex Travel – You can use your credit card to reserve and pay for rental cars. This will provide additional insurance coverage against damage and theft.
- Don't just buy groceries at the supermarket. You'll get more benefits if you shop at U.S. supermarkets, but this doesn't limit you to just groceries. To maximize your cash back, buy homewares, tools, and other items at US supermarkets.
- Check out American Express Experiences: If you enjoy going to concerts, sporting events, and shows, this platform will provide you with exclusive access to ticket presales.
How To Apply For Blue Cash Preferred Card?
- 1.
Visit the American Express Blue Cash Preferred homepage and click on “Apply Now.”
- 2.
Fill in your personal details on the next page and click “Next.”
- 3.
Now, fill in your street address, city, zip code, and choose your birth date, SSN, etc.
- 4.
The next step is your financial details – you’ll need to share some details about your income and more relevant info such as employment status and annual income.
- 5.
Next, read through the Terms and conditions and approve them.
How It Compared To Other Amex Cash Back Cards?
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is another alternative, sharing similarities with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card but offering lower cash back rates.
While the Blue Cash Preferred® Card comes with a $95 annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card has no annual fee, making it a more budget-friendly option for those who still want to earn cash back on everyday purchases, but its cash back potential is lower as caps on higher cash back are lower..
When compared to the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, which provides a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card excels in rewarding users with higher percentages in select categories like U.S. supermarkets, streaming services, gas stations, and transit.
The American Express EveryDay® Card focuses on providing Membership Rewards points rather than cash back. In addition, there are premium cards such as the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Right for You?
American Express Blue Cash Preferred is a great card for large families that have large grocery expenses. This card also has 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases – that can be a good option for families.
However, you'll pay an annual fee that will eat into your cashback rewards. Consumers that do not have large grocery bills may want to look into other cashback cards that do not have an annual fee. Also consumers looking to pay off debt may want to look for a card with a longer 0% APR introductory rate.
If you’re looking for cash back on life’s day-to-day purchases, this card can be the groceries and gas credit card for many consumers.
Compare The Alternatives
There are other credit cards that do offer comparable cash back rewards – we’ve summarized the most popular cards which can use as an alternative to the Blue Cash Preferred:
 |
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | American Express EveryDay® Card | |
Annual Fee | $0
| $95
| $0
|
Rewards |
1-5%
|
2X – 5X
2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
|
1X – 2X
2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X), 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
$200
|
75,000 miles
75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
|
10,000 points
10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | 3%
| $0
| 2.7%
|
Purchase APR | 20.49%–29.24% variable
| 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
| 18.24% – 28.24% Variable
|
FAQ
You can get the premium cashback rate on groceries until you have annual purchases in this area of $6,000. The rate then goes to 1% with the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Yes, you will get this insurance if you refuse the car rental company’s insurance coverage and you pay for the entire cost of the rental with this card. Please review the terms and conditions before to make sure you're covered.
Yes, you can get pre-approval for the Blue Cash Preferred Card if you fill out a simple form. No hard credit check is needed at this stage.
The initial credit limit for the Blue Cash Preferred Card will be at least $1,000 and usually greater. The exact limit depends on your financial situation.
The rewards that you will earn through using the Blue Cash Preferred Card to make purchases will be credited to you in the form of a statement credit.
It is not very hard to get a Blue Cash Preferred Card. There are just some straightforward requirements that you need to meet and you will then be good to go.
Compare Amex Blue Cash Preferred
In terms of cashback rates, the Blue Cash Preferred is a clear winner. But is it still apply if you're a high spender?
Here's our analysis: Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Chase Freedom Unlimited
Cash back or Amex membership rewards? Annual fee with higher rewards or no annual fee? Here's our full analysis – which is better for you?
Amex Everyday® Card vs Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
When it comes to travel benefits, there is a clear winner. But what about if you're looking for rewards on everyday spending?
While the Amex Gold Card is more expensive than the Blue Cash Preferred, its rewards program and other benefits are more lucrative.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Which One Gives You More?
The Citi Custom cash offers high cashback on your preferred category, but it's very limited in rewards compared to the Blue Cash Preferred.
If you can maximize supermarket benefits, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred may be more suitable than the Everyday card despite the annual fee.
American Express Blue Cash Everyday vs. Preferred: Side By Side Comparison
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