$0
Annual fee
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Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Jul 23, 2026 · research
American ExpressReward Dollars
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers high cash back on groceries, streaming, gas, and transit with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year.
Mid TierPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: good$95
Annual fee
6% back groceries
Top rate
2.7%
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating
Current Welcome Offer
Earn $300
Spend $3,000 in 180 days
Verifiedpublic
Card Offers
public
Earn $300
Spend $3,000 in 180 days
public
Earning Rates
Groceries
6%cash back
On up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
Streaming
6%cash back
On select U.S. streaming subscriptions
Gas Stations
3%cash back
At U.S. gas stations
Transit
3%cash back
Includes taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
everyday-spending
1%cash back
On other eligible purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions with no stated cap
- Up to $168 per year in statement credits for Disney Bundle and Equinox+ subscriptions, which can effectively offset the annual fee
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on a broad range of transit purchases
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year reduces the upfront cost of trying the card
Cons
- 2.70% foreign transaction fee makes it a poor choice for international use
- The $95 annual fee requires meaningful grocery and streaming spending to justify
- The 6% supermarket rate is capped at $6,000 per year, limiting value for very high grocery spenders
- Car rental insurance is secondary, meaning personal auto insurance must be used first
- Statement credits for Disney Bundle and Equinox+ require enrollment and direct billing to the card
Key Takeaways
- Earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, one of the highest rates available in the grocery category
- Up to $168 in annual statement credits for Disney Bundle and Equinox+ can effectively reduce the net annual fee to below $0 for qualifying subscribers
- A 2.70% foreign transaction fee means this card should not be used abroad
- The $250 welcome offer requires $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months
- A 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases provides a short-term financing window for new cardholders
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee Waived first year | $95 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% |
APR Information
- Purchase APR
- 19.49% - 28.49%0% intro APR for 12 months
- Balance Transfer APR
- 19.49% - 28.49%0% intro APR for 12 months
APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.
Card Benefits
6 benefits
Travel Insurance
Purchase Protection
Statement Credits
Coverage Tier Legend
Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred Card?
The Blue Cash Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee. The fee is waived entirely for the first year, giving new cardholders a chance to evaluate the card's value before committing to the ongoing cost.
What welcome offer is currently available?
New cardholders can earn a $250 cash back welcome offer after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. The bonus is received as a statement credit.
Is there a cap on the 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets?
Yes. The 6% rate at U.S. supermarkets applies to up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year. After reaching that cap, purchases at U.S. supermarkets earn 1% cash back.
Which streaming services qualify for the 6% cash back rate?
The 6% rate applies to select U.S. streaming subscriptions billed directly to the card. Eligible services must qualify under American Express's definition of streaming; cardholders should verify their specific services with Amex.
What statement credits come with this card?
The card offers up to $7 per month (up to $84 per year) as a statement credit for a qualifying Disney Bundle subscription (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+), and up to $7 per month (up to $84 per year) for an Equinox+ digital fitness subscription. Enrollment is required for both credits, totaling up to $168 in annual credits.
Does the Blue Cash Preferred Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. The card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.70% on purchases made outside the United States. This makes it less suitable as a primary card for international travel.
What is the intro APR offer on this card?
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months. After the intro period, a variable APR between 19.24% and 29.99% applies based on creditworthiness.
What purchase protections does this card include?
The card includes Purchase Protection, which covers eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from purchase, up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year. It also includes Return Protection, which allows Amex to refund eligible items a merchant will not accept back within 90 days, up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year.
What credit score is needed to apply for this card?
American Express recommends good credit for applicants. Specific approval decisions depend on a full review of the applicant's credit profile at the time of application.
How does transit cash back work on this card?
The card earns 3% cash back on transit purchases, which includes taxis, rideshare services, trains, buses, ferries, tolls, parking, and more. There is no stated annual cap on the transit category.
About This Card
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is best for households that spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets and regularly pay for streaming services. It also suits commuters who can take advantage of the 3% cash back on transit and gas purchases.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a premium cash back card that lets you earn 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, and 1% on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers one of the highest cash back rates in the grocery category at 6%, paired with up to $168 in annual streaming and fitness credits that can more than offset its $95 fee for subscribers who use both services.
Ready to Decide?
Apply for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Earn $300 with a $95 annual fee.
Spend $3,000 in 180 days
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