Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Editor reviewed6% at US supermarkets and on streaming, 3% gas and transit, $0 intro first year
Rates verified July 23, 2026Apply nowTracked since2026
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The Bottom Line
Annual fee
$95
Biggest pro
A maxed grocery cap alone returns $360/year
Biggest con
Rewards come as Reward Dollars, statement credit only
At a glance
Rates verified July 23, 2026- Annual fee
- $95
- Rewards
- 6% US supermarkets (capped), 6% select US streaming, 3% transit and US gas, 1% other
- Welcome bonus
- As high as $300 back after $3,000 in 6 months (personalized)
- Regular APR
- 19.49%-28.49% variable
- Intro APR
- 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Recommended credit
- good-excellent (700+)
- Issuer
- American Express
- Network
- American Express
Is it worth it?
Breaks even once rewards top $95 a year
The $95 annual fee pays for itself once your rewards pass $95 in a year. The welcome bonus (As high as $300 back after $3,000 in 6 months (personalized)) alone typically covers the first few years of the fee. If you would not clear the fee in rewards, a no-annual-fee card usually wins.
What is Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
The suburban-family default: groceries, gas and streaming, all at top-of-market rates. Anyone who spends meaningfully at US supermarkets should start their comparison here, because the 6% grocery rate is the highest of any mainstream card.
The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $95, with a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers and a regular APR of 19.49% to 28.49% variable. Earning: 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, 6% on select US streaming with no cap, 3% on transit and at US gas stations, 1% elsewhere. The welcome offer runs as high as $300 back after $3,000 in 6 months. Maxing the grocery cap alone returns $360 per year, comfortably clearing the fee.
The catch: rewards come as Reward Dollars redeemable only as statement credits, and superstores and warehouse clubs are excluded from the 6% rate.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A maxed grocery cap alone returns $360/year
- Strong gas and transit floor
- Highest grocery rate of any mainstream card
Cons
- Rewards come as Reward Dollars, statement credit only
- Superstores and warehouse clubs excluded from the 6% rate
Key details
6% at US supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)6% on select US streaming, uncapped3% on transit and at US gas stations0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfersFirst-year annual fee waiver
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Amex Blue Cash Preferred FAQ
What is the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred?
$0 intro for the first year, then $95.
What is the current welcome bonus?
As high as $300 back after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Amex offers are personalized.
What credit score do you need?
Good to excellent credit, roughly 700 or higher.
Source: americanexpress.com