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2022-10-13T21:20:25Z Insider's experts choose the best products and
services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Rewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S.
supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Rewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then
1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee On American Express's
website On American Express's website Rewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at
U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Annual Fee $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on
your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 16.99% - 27.99% Variable Intro APR 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you'll want to use another card once you reach that cap HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent cash-back card for consumers who spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets, use streaming services, or have lots of commuting and gas expenses. The annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95 is worth it if your typical spending lines up with the card's bonus categories. Review: Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred the best card for you?If you spend a lot on groceries, streaming, or commuting, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cash-back credit cards for getting the biggest return for your purchases. Along with offering a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% back on your first $6,000 in U.S. supermarket spending each year (then 1% back), which is the best of any cash-back card on the market. You'll also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on U.S. gas stations and transit, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases (cash back is earned in the form of Rewards Dollars). The card does come with an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, but it's well worth it if your expenses match the card's bonus categories. If you max out the U.S. supermarkets 6% cash-back category by spending $6,000 per year (or $500 a month, on average), you'd earn $360 in cash back from those purchases alone. New cardholders also receive a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening (then a 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR). Other benefits include return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty, making it a good choice for buying things like pricey gadgets or electronics. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express also comes with monthly statement credits for Equinox+** and the Disney Bundle** which can be worth much more than the annual fee. Before you decide if the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is right for you, be sure to consider other cash-back cards with bonus categories that might also fit your spending habits. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a bonus of 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back) and has a $0 annual fee, and it earns 5% back on travel booked through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% back on everything else with no spending caps. Insider's Featured Cash Back Credit Cards
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. How to earn rewards with the Blue Cash PreferredWith a generous earning structure in popular categories, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great option — but keep in mind there are exclusions and limits in some cases. Cardholders earn:
Keep in mind the supermarket, streaming, and gas categories are limited to purchases in the US; transit purchases can be worldwide, however. Plus, not every streaming service qualifies to earn 6% cash back, either. Here's Amex's current list of eligible streaming subscriptions:
How to use rewards from the Blue Cash PreferredThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a straightforward cash-back credit card that doesn't offer multiple options for redeeming your rewards. The cash back you earn from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is issued in the form of reward dollars, which you can apply to your account as a statement credit in any amount. However, you can't use your rewards toward the minimum payment due. You can't redeem your rewards directly for travel like you could if you had an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, like the American Express® Gold Card <desc> <g id="asterisk" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M29.37 0a5 5 0 014.975 4.805l.004.216-.074 17.076 16.857-9.732a5 5 0 015.196 8.542l-.196.119-16.316 9.42 16.316 9.42a5 5 0 01-4.799 8.77l-.2-.11-16.929-9.774-.07 16.27a5 5 0 01-9.996.175l-.003-.217.065-15.519-15.7 9.065a5 5 0 01-5.195-8.542l.196-.119 16.315-9.42-16.315-9.42a5 5 0 014.8-8.77l.2.11 15.776 9.11.072-16.496A5 5 0 0129.37 0z" fill="#111"> </path></g> </desc> , or transfer them to airline or hotel partners. Transferable points, like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards®, are a good pick if you want the flexibility to redeem rewards for statement credits, merchandise, gift cards, or travel (when you're ready). If you prefer to only earn cash back, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a star. Not only do you earn 6% back on your first $6,000 spent in U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1%), but you also earn 6% back (with no caps) on U.S. streaming services, including Hulu, Netflix, and Spotify. You'll also earn an unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, which includes everything from Lyft and Uber to train fares, tolls, and subways. Suppose you are the average family who spends a lot more than $6,000 per year (or $500 per month) at the supermarket. In fact, you spend $10,000 per year at Kroger or Whole Foods. With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you would earn $360 in cash back on the first $6,000 you spent and another $40 back earning 1% beyond the $6,000 cap each year. That's $400 already in the bank. Now imagine you spend another $100 per month at U.S. gas stations — at 3% back, that's another $36 per year. Put $30 per month ($360 per year) in streaming services on the card, and you're approaching $500 per year — and that's not counting any other regular spending on the card or the $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening. This is why the annual fee is worth it — especially the first year. If you maximize the 6% back at U.S. supermarkets, you'll get $360 in rewards every year at a bare minimum. That's more than enough to make up for the annual fee — and a lot more than you'd earn with a standard 1% cash-back credit card. Alternatives to the American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits and featuresThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express doesn't offer a long list of features like The Platinum Card® from American Express <desc> <g id="asterisk" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M29.37 0a5 5 0 014.975 4.805l.004.216-.074 17.076 16.857-9.732a5 5 0 015.196 8.542l-.196.119-16.316 9.42 16.316 9.42a5 5 0 01-4.799 8.77l-.2-.11-16.929-9.774-.07 16.27a5 5 0 01-9.996.175l-.003-.217.065-15.519-15.7 9.065a5 5 0 01-5.195-8.542l.196-.119 16.315-9.42-16.315-9.42a5 5 0 014.8-8.77l.2.11 15.776 9.11.072-16.496A5 5 0 0129.37 0z" fill="#111"> </path></g> </desc> and other premium cards, but it does offer a handful of helpful perks. Disney Bundle creditsOne of the newest benefits of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express) is a monthly $7 credit when you pay for a Disney Bundle subscription of $13.99 or more with your card (enrollment required). The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, so this is a valuable offer for lots of households. If you already subscribe to these streaming services, this perk could effectively save up to $84 per year. Equinox+ creditsFitness buffs can take advantage of $10 per month in statement credits toward Equinox+ membership when they pay with their Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express through equinoxplus.com (enrollment required). Equinox+ is an on-demand fitness app that costs $40 per month. This could be worth up to $120 a year if you max out the benefit. Just be sure to pay your bill through Equinox+ online and not through the Equinox+ app, otherwise, you won't receive the credit. Intro APR offerThe card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, followed by a 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR. Introductory 0% APR offers if you have big purchases coming up you'd like to pay for over time without racking up big interest charges, but make sure you have the means and a plan to pay off the balance before the introductory period expires. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a lot of high-interest debt. Car rental loss and damage insuranceIf you rent a car with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you'll receive secondary auto rental coverage. Some restrictions apply, so be sure to read the limitations. This is secondary coverage, not primary car rental insurance, so it kicks in after your own car insurance policy. Global Assist HotlineBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express members who run into trouble while traveling can access Amex Global Assist Hotline for help with translation services, missing luggage, emergency legal and medical referrals, lost passport assistance, and more. The Global Assist Hotline will help arrange these services, but you're responsible for any third-party charges. Return protectionIf you purchase an eligible item with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the original seller won't accept a return, this coverage can get you up to $300 per eligible item (with a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year) for up to 90 days from the purchase date. Purchase protectionIf an eligible item you purchased with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is stolen or damaged, you can get reimbursed, up to $1,000 per purchase and up to 90 days from the purchase date (up to $50,000 per calendar year). Extended warrantyWhen you purchase an eligible item with the card, you can get up to one additional year added to original manufacturer's warranties of five years or less (maximum coverage of $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per calendar year). Amex OffersThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express comes with access to the Amex Offers program. Amex Offers can get you cash back or bonus points when you shop with specific retailers and travel brands. You can view all your available offers by logging into your card account and scrolling down. (Eligibility for these offers is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming). Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Rewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Rewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Annual Fee On American Express's website Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express from American ExpressOn American Express's website Card DetailsRewards Earn 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Earn 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more). Earn 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Annual Fee $0 intro for the first year, then $95 Intro offer $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening Recommended Credit Good to Excellent Regular APR 16.99% - 27.99% Variable Intro APR 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening Pros & ConsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Intro APR offer Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee Dash iconA dash. It often indicates an interaction to shrink a section. If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you'll want to use another card once you reach that cap HighlightsChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Additional ReadingChevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Blue Cash Preferred fees and costsAside from the annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a few other fees you'll want to be aware of, though most of them are avoidable if you pay your balance off in full each month. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers an introductory 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, but after that, you'll pay a 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR. Also, note that there's a balance transfer fee of 3% of your transfer amount or $5, whichever is greater. As with most other cards, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges fees for late payments, returned payments, and cash advances. It's not a good choice for international purchases because it adds foreign transaction fees. Comparison: American Express Blue Cash Preferred vs other Amex cards*6%/3% cash back/3x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1% back/1 point per dollar (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits) American Express Blue Cash Preferred vs other cash-back cards*6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1% back Amex Blue Cash Preferred frequently asked questions (FAQ)You might wonder if paying a Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express annual fee for this is worthwhile, especially since most cash-back credit cards don't charge an annual fee. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is worth it if you spend a lot in the card's bonus categories, particularly U.S. supermarkets and U.S. streaming services, because of its high earning rate. It's easy to offset the annual fee many times over if you maximize these categories, but it requires a fair bit of spending to make sense. Statement credits for The Disney Bundle and Equinox+ can make this a profitable card, but only if you use those services. If you're not sure you'll spend enough to justify the annual fee, consider the card's no-annual-fee sibling, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. It comes with a good welcome bonus offer and respectable earning rates, along with other benefits. Here's our comparison of the Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday to help you decide which is best for your wallet. Most people who are approved for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express have at least a good credit score, which is a FICO score of at least 670. No, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express isn't made of metal — it's a plastic card. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a credit card, not a charge card. That means you'll have a credit limit and can carry a balance (with interest) from month to month. You can't transfer cash back (Reward Dollars) from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express to other Amex cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card. Similarly, you can't transfer Amex Membership Rewards points from cards like the Platinum Card to cash-back cards like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
Holly Johnson Freelance Writer Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to serving as contributing editor for The Simple Dollar and writing for publications such as Bankrate, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." Read more Read less
Jasmin Baron is an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.You can reach Jasmin at . Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services » Read more Read less Top Offers From Our PartnersFor rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here. Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards. Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available. **Enrollment required. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Related articlesLoadingSomething is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. More... What grocery stores are eligible for Amex Blue Cash Preferred?The stores that are supermarkets for Blue Cash Preferred include Meijer, ShopRite, Stop and Shop, Vons, Whole Foods, and Winn-Dixie. These U.S.-based supermarket chains all earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 in combined purchases charged to the Blue Cash Preferred card each calendar year.
What counts as supermarkets Amex?"U.S. supermarkets". Gristedes.. Foodtown.. Meijer.. ShopRite.. Stop and Shop.. Whole Foods.. Winn-Dixie.. Does Walmart count as a grocery store for Amex Blue Cash Preferred?No, Blue Cash Preferred does not count Walmart as a supermarket, which means that Walmart purchases are not eligible for the card's bonus cash back rate. Purchases at Walmart get 1% cash back – the same rate as any other purchases that don't fall into the Blue Cash Preferred's bonus categories.
Does Kroger count as a grocery store for Amex?American Express
It offers an amazing 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (1% back after that). But you'll earn this bonus only at supermarkets like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Sprouts and Trader Joe's.
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