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  1. Home
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  3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American ExpressBlue Cash RewardsEditorially reviewed

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Earn up to 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% on other purchases. Includes a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Mid TierPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: good

Annual Fee

$95

Top Earning Rate

6% back select u.s. streaming subscriptions

Foreign Tx Fee

2.7%

Rating

N/A

Current Welcome Offer

250 cashback

$250 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

Verifiedissuer page
Apply NowCompare This CardBrowse all cards

Card Offers

public

250 cashback

Verified

$250 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

issuer page

Earning Rates

Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions
6%cash back

On eligible streaming services billed directly to the card

U.S. Supermarkets
6%cash back

On up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%

Transit
3%cash back

Includes taxis, rideshare, trains, buses, ferries, tolls, parking, and more

U.S. Gas Stations
3%cash back
All Other Purchases
1%cash back

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 TypeAmount
Annual Fee

Waived first year

$95
Foreign Transaction Fee2.7%

APR Information

Purchase APR
19.24% - 29.99%0% intro APR for 12 months
Balance Transfer APR
19.24% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

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

Hidden Gems

Statement Credits Can Wipe Out the Annual Fee

Between the $84 Disney Bundle credit and the $84 Equinox+ credit, cardholders who use both subscriptions can recoup up to $168 per year, exceeding the $95 annual fee by $73 before earning a single cash back reward.

Broad Transit Coverage at 3%

The 3% transit category covers not just trains and buses but also taxis, rideshare, ferries, tolls, and parking, making it useful for urban commuters across many payment types.

Return Protection as a Backstop

If a merchant refuses a return within 90 days of purchase, American Express may reimburse up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year, providing a safety net that many cardholders overlook when making everyday purchases.

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 from American Express is a top-tier cash back card designed for everyday spenders. It offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. The card comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. It also includes a welcome offer, statement credits for eligible purchases, and various shopping and travel protections.

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 from American Express

250 cashback, worth about $250 estimated value, with a $95 annual fee.

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

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Card Categories

Cash BackGroceryStreamingGasEveryday Spending

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

Card details are collected by automated crawlers from official issuer pages, then verified by editorial review.

Last updated: Apr 16, 2026

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 5 of 6 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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