MoneyGeek’s Take

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card Review

Make long commutes and lengthy lines at the supermarket worth it with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card. With generous cash back rates at U.S. gas stations and supermarkets, this card is best for families who want to save on everyday expenses.

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Last Updated: 11/9/2021

Perfect for families, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express boasts a whopping 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets with a $6,000 annual spending cap and 3% back on transit and at U.S. gas stations. Cardholders can also get 6% back on select streaming subscriptions and enjoy 1% back on all other purchases.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Credit Needed
Good–Excellent

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card at a Glance

The generous reward rate that backs the Blue Cash Preferred Card makes it a good choice for families who often eat at home and commute on a regular basis. The card does have an annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year and only costs a reasonable $95 after that.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
A great cash back card for gas and grocery shopping
- Good–ExcellentCredit Needed
- $95Annual Fee
- 3% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 6xRewards Rate on Entertainment
- 6xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
0% intro APR for the first year
Annual fee waived for the first year
Generous welcome offer
Cash back up to 6% on select categories
Use earned cash back as a statement credit

Cons
High annual fee
Foreign transaction fee
Cash advance fee
Penalty APR may apply in cases of late and returned payments
Cannot use cash back to pay minimum due
6% cash back on groceries applies to $6,000 worth of spending in a calendar year — then it becomes 1%
Advanced cash back rates apply only on purchases made in the U.S.
Get 6% cash back at supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in spending — followed by 1%.
Get 6% cash back on select streaming subscriptions.
Get 3% cash back at gas stations and on transit (trains, buses, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, etc.).
Get 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Redeem reward dollars as statement credit.
Benefit through intro APR, annual fee and bonus cash back offers.
Use the Pay It method for purchases under $100 and make payments through the month.
Use the Plan It method for purchases over $100. Split them up into monthly payments with fixed monthly fees and no interest.
Get added peace of mind through car rental loss and damage insurance, return protection and fraud protection.
Use the American Express Experiences platform and access presale tickets and member-only events.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated rewards cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

The rewards that come with the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express make it attractive for those who aim to save in specific categories — but it comes with some drawbacks.

Pros

Benefits
Description
Generous Cash Back Rewards Rate
Despite the $6,000 cap, the 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets is one of the highest offers on the market. In addition, the 6% on select streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and 3% on transit (such as taxis or rideshares) are all impressive rates on common purchases.
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to $400 in statement credit through the generous welcome bonus. Get 20% back from eligible purchases made on Amazon with your new card, up to $200 back, and earn another $200 after spending $3,000 on your card within the first six months.
0% Intro APR
For the first 12 months upon account opening, you’ll get an introductory 0% APR. This is uncommon in most cash back cards with a high rewards rate.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Annual Fee
While the annual fees in your first year are waived, the following years have a $95 fee that can turn off potential applicants. It’s also something worth considering if you don’t often shop at the grocery store. Fortunately, the rewards more than make up for the fees, and if you reach the welcome bonus of $150, your second year is more than paid for.
Limited Earning
If you spend more than $6,000 annually at the supermarket, keep in mind that everything after the cap will earn cash back at a 1% rate. This can still grant you significant savings but it may be something to keep in mind if you have another rewards card that has the same bonus category with a cash back rate higher than 1%.
Foreign Transaction Fee
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is not ideal for purchases made abroad given the 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Cardholders who travel frequently are better off with a credit card made for travel that has no international transaction fees.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2021?

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card ranks as one of MoneyGeek’s top credit cards for gas rewards. If you drive on a regular basis, you may want to compare cards to find the best gas rewards that suit your financial habits.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

Armed with solid rewards rates and an attractive welcome bonus, the Blue Cash Preferred Card can grant smart shoppers significant savings on essential expenses.

Competitive Rewards Rate

Get 6% back on up to $6,000 worth of purchases at U.S. supermarkets. If you spend at least $500 per month on groceries for a year, you’ll max out the cash back and earn $360. You can also get 6% on select streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations and 1% on all other purchases.

Welcome Bonus

In the first six months upon account opening, you can get up to $400 in statement credit. Get 20% off eligible Amazon purchases with a limit of up to $200, and get an additional $200 if you spend $3,000 within the first six months.

Complimentary ShopRunner Membership

By simply owning a card from American Express, you qualify for free, two-day shipping with dozens of online retailers. This is valued at $79 but requires enrollment on the ShopRunner website for it to apply.

Pay It Plan It

All American Express cardholders can take advantage of the Pay It Plan It program. Pay It lets you pay off small purchases under $100 quickly, while Plan It lets you create a custom payment plan for purchases above $100 with a fixed fee.

Other Features Explained

Blue Cash Preferred cardholders can enjoy more than just the generous cash back rates, as American Express offers a host of features and benefits for its customers.

Card Feature
Description
Car Rental Protection
Car rentals booked and paid for with the Blue Cash Preferred Card get secondary coverage in case of damage or theft.
Purchase Protection
American Express cardholders get Purchase Protection. This lets you get reimbursed up to $1,000 per purchase in case of theft or damage, with a limit of $50,000 per calendar year.
Fraud Protection
Through a card identification number (CID), chip technology, opt-in fraud alerts, active fraud detection and more, American Express works behind the scenes to ensure your information is secure.
24/7 Global Assistance Hotline
If you encounter a problem with your card, be it theft, fraud or a general inquiry, American Express offers a 24/7 hotline for your concern. With a dedicated fraud hotline and various international phone numbers, you can reach customer service anytime, anywhere.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

"You’ll want to put all your Amazon purchases on this card as it will earn 20% on Amazon purchases in the first six months of Card Membership up to $200. This is also a fantastic rewards earner for your streaming services all year long." - Alene Laney, Credit Card Journalist

Understanding the Fine Print

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card comes with a variety of cash back rewards, but it also comes with various fees and interest rates. Make sure to understand all the fees involved before applying for the card.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
13.99%–23.99%
Annual Fee
$95
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
3% Cash Back
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
6x
Rewards Rate on Gas
3x
Rewards Rate on Dining
1x
Rewards Rate on Entertainment
6x
Rewards Rate on Online Shopping
1x
Rewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1x
Rewards Rate on Air Travel
1x
Rewards Rate at Hotels
1x
Balance Transfer Fee
Unspecified
Balance Transfer APR
Unspecified
Late Fees
$39.00
Cash Advance Fee
5%
Cash Advance APR
25.24%
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.70%

Intro and Regular APR
Blue Cash Preferred cardholders get a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months upon account opening. Afterward, there is a variable APR of 13.99%–23.99%, the exact rate of which will depend on your creditworthiness.
Cash Back Rewards Rate
The 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped at the first $6,000 spent per calendar year — anything past the limit gets a cash back rate of 1%. Cardholders can also get 6% back on eligible streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit (such as buses, trains and rideshares) and 3% at U.S. gas stations.
Penalty APR and Fees
In case you make late payments or have a payment returned, you will receive a penalty APR of 29.99%. This applies at least until you have made timely payments for six consecutive months and have no payments returned. Note that whether the penalty APR will apply depends on your creditworthiness as well.
Late payments and returned payments also get a fee of $40 each, but there are no fees for going over the credit limit.
Foreign Transaction Fees
For every transaction made abroad, you will have to pay a 2.7% fee. This means that if you purchase something worth $500 abroad with the Blue Cash Preferred Card, you will pay an extra $13.50.

FINDING YOUR CARD'S RATES AND FEES

If you want to compare the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express to other cards, look at the rewards rate and annual fees. This can be found on your online account or the card provider’s website. Alternatively, you can also look at the credit card agreement database, which is maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card?

Other Considerations for American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

Saving on everyday expenses is easy with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card, but your financial habits and situation will determine whether the card is best for you.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

As your sole credit card, the Blue Cash Preferred Card can offer significant savings — especially if you often cook at home and commute frequently. By spending just $31 per week on groceries, you can break even on the annual fee. Keep in mind that a good to excellent credit score is needed to qualify for this card, which is common for rewards credit cards but makes it difficult to get for those without impressive credit.

Things to Consider if This is Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

The practical rewards of the Blue Cash Preferred Card make it a great addition to your current credit cards if you often visit the supermarket and subscribe to multiple streaming services. If you travel frequently, you can use this card for practical expenses in tandem with a travel rewards card to get maximum savings.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

The MoneyGeek review process for credit cards involves examining each card’s specs and weighing it against other cards using standardized data points. Afterward, we factor in bonus rewards and welcome offers to get the total value of the card for consumers. Monthly reviews and re-rankings are also conducted to account for any changes.

How American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card Compares to Other Cards

[Subnav: Quick Comparison] The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card benefits are some of the highest in these categories and typically outweigh the annual fees, but how it stacks up against other cards will depend on your financial needs.

For instance, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is often compared to the Blue Cash Everyday Card. Both offer rewards in similar bonus categories, but each comes with its own unique offers.

Quick Comparison of American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

Cash Back Rewards Rate: 6% at U.S. supermarkets for the first $6,000 spent in a year, 6% on select streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations and 1% for all other purchases
Regular APR: 13.99%–23.99%
Annual Fee: Waived for the first year, then $95
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
Mini Verdict: Best for families who want to save on daily expenses

American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card

Cash Back Rewards Rate: 3% at U.S. supermarkets for the first $6,000 spent in a year, 3% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores and 1% for all other purchases
Regular APR: 13.99%–23.99%
Annual Fee: None
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
Mini Verdict: Best for people who frequent department stores

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express may suit many consumers — but this ultimately depends on your financial situation. MoneyGeek answered a few frequently asked questions below to help you determine if this card is right for you.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

The opportunity to save on several bonus categories makes the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express an enticing card to have — but it doesn’t mean everyone will benefit from it. If you feel that another card may suit you, take a look at MoneyGeek’s credit card reviews to find one you can benefit the most from.