The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers top-of-market cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, good rewards on gas, and extended warranty, purchase protection, and return protection benefits.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express at a glance
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers market-leading rewards on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, plus great rewards in other categories.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
AS HIGH AS $300 CASH BACK after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. You will be able to choose from all available American Express® Personal and Business Card offers. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
This bonus is awarded as a statement credit.
You may be able to get a better offer—occasionally Amex will show a $300 offer once you link to the website—but we know of no way to link directly to this offer.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
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Rewards
- 6% on groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
on up to $6,000 per year of purchases, then 1%. - 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% on gas at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% on transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, busses, and more.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards are earned as cash back reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
- Purchase Protection. Covers eligible purchases against theft or accidental damage up to $1,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 per account per calendar year. Exclusions and terms apply.
- Return Protection. Covers eligible purchases up to $300 per item and $1,000 per account per calendar year if the seller of an item won’t take it back within 90 days from the date of purchase. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Terms and restrictions apply.
- Extended Warranty. Provides up to one year of coverage equivalent to the manufacturer’s original warranty on eligible items with warranties of 5 years or less. Coverage limited to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per calendar year. Terms and restrictions apply.
Travel insurance benefits
- Car rental loss and damage insurance.
- Global assist hotline.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- Disney Streaming Credit. Receive a $10 monthly statement credit when you charge an eligible U.S. monthly subscription service to your card. Enrollment required.
- Amex Offers. Receive statement credits or extra rewards with targeted offers from select merchants. Enrollment required.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review
Cards and Points Rating: 4.5/5.0
Read more about our star ratings.
TThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is simultaneously one of the best cards to use for groceries and one of the best cards to use for gas. For most families, earning 6% on up to $6,000 of groceries at U.S. supermarkets (1% thereafter) will more than offset the card’s annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. See rates and fees..) Many will also get plenty of value from the card’s 3% rewards at U.S. gas stations and on 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
But rewards aren’t the only point where this card shines—the card offers the trifecta of Amex consumer insurance benefits: purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty. Amex has a reputation for a customer-friendly claims process, making this card a top choice for the expensive purchases that you want to protect.
And if you subscribe to Disney+, the card’s Disney+ credits will make the card practically pay for itself.
While we wouldn’t recommend using this card for most general purchases (use a 2% cash back card instead), we do think that it’s an excellent card that can almost certainly provide value well in excess of the annual fee.
Likes
- 6% cash back on groceries (on up to $6,000 spent each year, then 1%).
- 3% at U.S. gas stations and 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection.
- $120 in annual credits for The Disney Bundle. (Enrollment required.)
Dislikes
- 6% grocery rewards are capped at $6,000 of spending each year.
- Limited travel insurance benefits.
- Annual fee.
Using the card for spending
Like with any rewards card, the best strategy for earning the most rewards will depend on the specific mix of cards you have, But here’s how we’d typically recommend using the Blue Cash Preferred for spending:
Groceries at U.S. Supermarkets
The card earns top-of-market rewards on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on the first $6,000 you spend in a calendar year, but we’d recommend switching spending over to another card with higher grocery rewards if you spend more than that during the year, as purchases beyond $6,000 in a year earn only 1%.
Gas at U.S. gas stations
You’ll earn an uncapped 3% on spending at U.S. gas stations, better than you’ll earn with most of the best credit cards with rewards on gas.
Streaming Subscriptions
The Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% on streaming subscriptions makes the card an excellent choice to use for your streaming subscriptions, but it is the best choice for Disney+ subscription, thanks to the statement credit you’ll get.
Transit
Since the Blue Cash Preferred earns 3% on a variety of transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more, it’s a good “default” card to use for most transit purchases.
General Spending
Since the card earns only 1% cash back on general purchases, we’d recommend using a 2% cash back card for most spending that doesn’t earn a bonus on this card.
Our experience: How we use the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is my go-to card for the groceries that I buy at a traditional U.S. Supermarket. No other card is going to offer me as much cash back groceries at supermarkets, so this card is an easy pick
It is also the card that I use for gas at U.S. gas stations other than Costco (which doesn’t accept Amex). Admittedly, this isn’t a huge spending category for me—I drive a plug-in hybrid so I spend a minimal amount on gas. Usually I’ll end up paying with the card using Apple Pay when I’m traveling and renting a car.
My family subscribes to Disney+, so I take full advantage of the card’s $120 credits for The Disney Bundle each year. That credit displaces cash that I would otherwise spend so for me it is as good as cash. If you also subscribe to Disney+, then either this card or the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express should be in your wallet. (Enrollment required for this benefit, terms apply.)
The above is probably enough for me to justify keeping the card, but what really makes the card’s valuable to me is its consumer insurance benefits. In particular, the card’s return protection and extended warranty benefits more than pay for the card every year.
Return protection is particularly useful for me. Most stores don’t carry clothes in my size, which means I can’t try on clothes before purchasing them online. For the brands that I like best, many of the best deals on clothing are non-returnable final-sale items. Others can go into a store and try on a similar size. That’s simply not an option for me. But with Amex return protection, I can take a chance on one of these sale items. If it fits, I got a great deal. It it doesn’t, return protection has my back and I donate the item to someone who can use it.
Overall, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is a core part of my wallet. I clearly get much more value than I pay in annual fees every year.
Rewards: Market-leading cash back at U.S. Supermarkets and more
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers one of the highest rates of cash back available at U.S. supermarkets and also features great rewards at U.S. gas stations, and select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Here are the details.
- 6% on groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
on up to $6,000 per year of purchases, then 1%. - 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% on gas at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% on transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, busses, and more.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards are earned as cash back reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Checking your cash back rewards
Because the Blue Cash Preferred® card caps its rewards at U.S. supermarkets to $6,000 of spending during a calendar year, you might want to be aware of how much you’ve charged on the card in this category. (After spending $6,000 on groceries, you may prefer to switch your grocery spending to another one of the best cards for groceries.) The easiest way to check your category bonus spending is through the American Express website.
After logging into your account on the Amex website, select your Blue Cash Preferred card and scroll down to the panel labeled “Reward Dollars.” Click on “Explore your rewards.” On the screen that follows, you’ll see how much you’ve earned in each of the card’s bonus categories. 6% on $6,000 of groceries equals $360 of cash back rewards. If you’re earned more than this on purchases at U.S. supermarkets, you might want to switch your grocery store spending to another card.
Refer a friend. Earn rewards.
American Express offers some cardmembers the ability to earn additional rewards on some cards by referring friends to American Express cards. If you are eligible to refer a friend, you’ll likely see a “Refer a Friend. Earn Rewards” link when you log into your account on the American Express website. You can also find this under the “Membership” tab in the mobile app.
You can also go directly to the Refer a Friend page on americanexpress.com. When on the page, either log into your account online to or enter your card number, 4-digit security code, and last 4 digits of your social security number to check your referral eligibility and get your referral link. If you are eligible, you can send a link to your friend via email or you can copy and paste the link on the screen to post on social media or send directly.
If your friend is approved for a new American Express card using the link you sent, you may receive additional points or cash back. The amount of rewards you can earn is limited each year. Additionally, the offer you send to your friend may not be the best available offer.
Not all cards or cardmembers are eligible to refer a friend. And eligibility may change over time—I’ve personally see eligibility come and go on several of my own cards.
Redeeming Blue Cash Preferred® rewards
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns its rewards as cash back. You can redeem your reward dollars for a statement credit or cash back at checkout at select merchants. Generally, the only reward redemption option you should consider is a statement credit.
Redeeming rewards online
You can redeem your rewards online through your account portal at americanxpress.com. Simply look for the panel labeled “Reward Dollars” and click on “Explore Rewards.” From that link, you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, up to your total amount of reward dollars.
You will also see an option to redeem rewards at checkout with select merchants. We don’t recommend this option, since you’ll forego the opportunity to earn rewards on your purchase.
Within the mobile app, select your account and click on the “Membership” tab. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a section labeled “Reward Dollars” and the option to redeem your rewards. Click “Redeem Rewards.” You’ll then be prompted to either redeem your entire reward dollars amount for a statement credit or redeem another amount.
While you can redeem your rewards at checkout at Amazon.com, we don’t advise using this option. You’ll give up the opportunity to earn points on your purchase and redeeming a statement credit is simpler.
Cards that pair well with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
If you’re getting the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, chances are you’re highly interested in the card’s rewards at U.S. supermarkets. But if you spend more than $6,000 on groceries, chances are you’ll want to pick up another card that earns excellent rewards on grocery purchases.
Of the cards on our list of best cards for grocery store purchases, we think that the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card works well. If you use the card exclusively for grocery purchases, you can get 5% cash back rewards (as ThankYou Points) on an additional $500 of grocery purchases per month.
We also think it’s worth adding a card that offers 2% cash back rewards everywhere to your wallet. The Blue Cash Preferred only earns 1% cash back on non-category purchases. Getting a 2% cash back rewards card will double the rewards on purchases you earn “everywhere else.”
Alternatives to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
If you’re looking at getting the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you’re probably looking for rewards on your gas and grocery store purchases. Here are some other cards that we think you should consider:
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card. The AAA Daily Advantage card offers one of the highest rates of cash back on groceries with no annual fee and tops our list of the best grocery credit cards. It’s also one of the best cards if you buy your groceries at a warehouse club like Costco.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. The Blue Cash Everyday also offers an Disney Bundle credit (Terms apply, enrollment required) and decent 3% rewards on up to $6,000 spent in each of its bonus categories: Groceries at U.S. Supermarkets, U.S. Online Retail, and U.S. Gas Stations.
Citi Custom Cash® Card. The Citi Custom Cash can offer you up to 5% cash back rewards on either gas, groceries, or another one of its eligible categories for no annual fee.
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card. The AAA Daily Advantage card offers one of the highest rates of cash back on groceries with no annual fee and tops our list of the 
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. The Blue Cash Everyday also offers an Disney Bundle credit (Terms apply, enrollment required) and decent 3% rewards on up to $6,000 spent in each of its bonus categories: Groceries at U.S. Supermarkets, U.S. Online Retail, and U.S. Gas Stations.
Citi Custom Cash® Card. The Citi Custom Cash can offer you up to 5% cash back rewards on either gas, groceries, or another one of its eligible categories for no annual fee. When is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express right for you?
If you spend more than about $3,200 every year (about $270/month) on groceries, you’ll do better with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express than you will on a card that earns 3% on groceries with no annual fee. If that’s you, it probably makes sense to pick up the card.
If you subscribe to The Disney Bundle anyway, putting your monthly subscription on the Blue Cash Preferred is an easy $120/year in value—all you need to do is enroll and be sure you’re on a plan that’s $9.99 or more.
But the value doesn’t end with the card’s rewards at U.S. supermarkets. Consider that, with the Blue Cash Preferred, you’ll have a single card that can cover your spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, select U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and purchases where you’d value an extended warranty. There’s some value in simplicity and having the Blue Cash Preferred can fill the role of 2-3 other cards you might be carrying.
Bottom line: A great card for most families
Between the bonus rewards in useful categories like U.S. Supermarkets and U.S. Gas Stations, the (up to) $120/year in credits for The Disney Bundle, and the excellent consumer insurance protection benefits, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is rewarding card that will offer more value than its annual fee for most families.
