Who Is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express For?

‍

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is ideally suited for:

‍

• Families with substantial grocery expenses: With the remarkable 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually), households spending around $500 monthly on groceries can maximize this benefit.
• Streaming subscribers: If you subscribe to multiple streaming services, the 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming service subscriptions can add up quickly.
• Commuters: Whether you drive or take public transportation, the 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations, transit, parking, and tolls makes this card valuable for daily commuters.
• Calculated spenders: Individuals who carefully track their spending and want to maximize returns on everyday purchases will appreciate the fixed, high-earning spend categories.

‍

This card is less suitable for:

‍

• International travelers (due to foreign transaction fees)
• People who rarely cook at home or have minimal grocery expenses
• Those who prefer rotating bonus categories for variety
• Individuals who won't spend enough in the bonus categories to offset the annual fee

Comparing the Blue Cash Preferred® Card with Other Credit Cards

‍

When considering the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the cashback credit card category:

‍

Chase Freedom Unlimited®:

• Annual fee: $0
• Sign-up bonus: Cash bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% on all other purchases
• Standout feature: Flexible redemption options including cash back, travel, and gift cards

‍

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees):

• Annual fee: $0
• Sign-up bonus: Cash bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 3% on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores
• Standout feature: No foreign transaction fees

‍

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (rates & fees):

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: Cash bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout
• Standout feature: This card offers a generous intro of APR on purchases and balance transfers

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

‍

Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.

‍

Key Takeaways:

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card excels in offering some of the highest reward rates available for common household expenses
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers diverse category bonuses
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card rewards dining and entertainment spending
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express provides strong rewards on everyday purchases

‍

[[ CARD_LIST * {"ids": ["497","3041", "260"]} ]]

Consider Using Kudos

‍

While the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers excellent cash-back potential, maximizing your rewards across all your credit cards can be challenging. This is where Kudos comes in.

‍

Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps ensure you're always using the optimal credit card for each online purchase. When shopping online, Kudos automatically recommends which of your cards—including your Blue Cash Preferred® Card—will earn the most rewards for that specific purchase.

‍

With Kudos, you can:

• Receive personalized credit card recommendations for each transaction
• Shop at over 15,000 integrated online stores
• Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
• Discover new credit cards that complement your spending habits and existing cards

‍

Using Kudos alongside your Blue Cash Preferred® Card creates a powerful strategy to maximize your overall cash back and rewards. The extension ensures you're using your Blue Cash Preferred® for purchases that earn high cash-back rates while suggesting alternative cards when they would provide better returns.

‍

If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. They're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase—just sign up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.

Our Expert Takeaway

‍

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express stands as a premium cash-back credit card that delivers exceptional value for specific spending categories. Its industry-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select U.S. streaming service subscriptions makes it a standout option for families and individuals with significant expenses in these categories.

‍

While the annual fee requires consideration, our analysis shows that households spending at least $267 monthly at U.S. supermarkets will earn enough cash back to offset this cost—any additional rewards from streaming, transit, or gas purchases represent pure savings. This makes the Blue Cash Preferred® Card a genuine cash-back workhorse for everyday purchases.

‍

The fixed earning structures provide clarity and consistency, eliminating the need to track rotating categories. Combined with the card's additional benefits like Amex offers and purchase protections, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express delivers a compelling overall package for consumers focused on maximizing returns on their daily spending.

‍

For those looking to optimize rewards across all their credit cards, pairing the Blue Cash Preferred® with the Kudos browser extension creates a powerful strategy to ensure you're always earning the maximum possible rewards on every purchase.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express FAQ

‍

What is the annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card?

‍

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee. To determine if this fee makes sense for your situation, consider whether your annual cash-back rewards from the high-earning spend categories will exceed this amount.

‍

How does the 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets work?

‍

You'll earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1% thereafter). This equates to approximately $500 in monthly grocery spending. Note that superstores like Walmart and Target typically don't qualify as supermarkets for this reward category.

‍

What streaming services qualify for the 6% cash back?

‍

Select U.S. streaming service subscriptions that typically qualify include popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube Premium, and similar services. For the most current list of eligible streaming services, check the American Express website or your cardholder agreement.

‍

Does the Blue Cash Preferred® Card offer a welcome bonus?

‍

Yes, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card typically offers a welcome bonus for new cardholders who meet specified spending requirements within the first few months of account opening. Check the current offer details during application, as these promotions can change.

‍

How can I redeem the cash back I earn?

‍

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits. There is typically a minimum redemption amount. Reward Dollars cannot be redeemed for cash or used at checkout, unlike some other cash-back programs.

‍

What transit expenses qualify for the 3% cash back?

‍

The 3% cash back on transit applies to purchases made directly from select transit merchants, including taxis, rideshare services (like Uber and Lyft), parking, tolls, trains, buses, and other commuter transportation.

‍

Is enrollment required for any of the card benefits?

‍

Some Amex offers and promotional benefits may require enrollment through your online account or the American Express mobile app. The base rewards structure (6% at U.S. supermarkets and on streaming, 3% on transit and gas) does not require separate enrollment.

‍

How does the Blue Cash Preferred® Card compare to no-annual-fee cash-back cards?

‍

While no-annual-fee cards eliminate the yearly cost, they typically offer lower reward rates. For households that spend significantly in the Blue Cash Preferred® Card's bonus categories, the higher cash-back percentages often more than offset the annual fee, resulting in greater net rewards compared to no-fee alternatives.

‍

Can I add authorized users to my Blue Cash Preferred® Card account?

‍

Yes, you can add authorized users to your account. Their purchases will earn cash back at the same rates as yours, helping you accumulate rewards faster. However, as the primary cardholder, you remain responsible for all charges made to the account.

‍

What credit score do I need to qualify for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card?

‍

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. This generally means a FICO score of 670 or higher, though other factors like income and existing debt are also considered in the application process.