WalletHub Rating
4.0/5
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cash back credit cards on the market andeasily worth its annual fee of $95 from the second year on.Amex Blue Cash Preferred is especially good for people with a 700+ credit score who spend a lot on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming services, transit, and U.S. gas station purchases.
WalletHub Rating Breakdown
User Reviews
3.9/5
1,590 reviewsRead and write reviews
Editor’s Review
4.7/5
John Kiernan, Credit Card EditorRead full review
Market Comparison
Market Comparison
3.9
The Market Comparison is a key component of the WalletHub Rating, as it measures how appealing the terms of a card are compared to a pool of over 1,500 credit card offers monitored by WalletHub. To ensure cards are evaluated for their most relevant purpose, we score each card across various cardholder needs and select the rating for the need with the highest score, which is “Earn Rewards” for this card.
Fees
2.1
Rewards
4.3
Cost
4.6
Other Features
0.0
3.9/5
Compared against 1,500+ credit cards
KEY TERMS
Earn a $250 statement credit
after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Accepted Credit Scores
Accepted Credit Scores
Excellent Credit, Good Credit
Blue Cash Preferred Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Blue Cash Preferred APR on Purchases
0% intro APR for 12 months, 19.24% - 29.99% (V) APR after that
Blue Cash Preferred Balance Transfer
0% intro APR for 12 months, 19.24% - 29.99% (V) APR after that
Balance Transfer Fee
Blue Cash Preferred Rewards
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Blue Cash Preferred's Additional Info
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
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Apply Now
at American Express' secure site
Editor's ReviewFact checked
Fact checked
John Kiernan, Managing Editor
May 20th, 2024
Fact Checked by Alina Comoreanu
Senior Researcher
Blue Cash Preferred Pros & Cons
$250 statement credit initial bonus offer
Low intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
High rewards rate
Annual fee starting second year
Above-average regular APR
2.7% foreign-transaction fee
Blue Cash Preferred Review
4.7 / 5
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cash back credit cards on the market andeasily worth its annual fee of $95 from the second year on.Amex Blue Cash Preferred is especially good for people with a 700+ credit score who spend a lot on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming services, transit, and U.S. gas station purchases.
Regardless of your top spending categories, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is easily worth the cost. For starters, new cardholders who make $3,000 in purchases within 6 months of opening an account earn a $250 statement credit. The Blue Cash Preferred Card’s ongoing bonus rewards,earned as statement credits, will also cover its fixed cost for moderate-to-heavy spenders who pay the bill in full every month.
As a result, Blue Cash Preferred is an elite rewards card that also provides the prestige of having an Amex.
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review Highlights
Earn $250 initial bonus
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express currently offers an initial bonus of $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 within 6 months of opening an account. That’s a decent deal, especially compared to the average cash rewards card with an initial bonus, which offers $228.
One of the best for groceries & streaming services
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% cash back on the first $6,000 that you spend at U.S. supermarkets each year. No credit card offers a higher earning rate on groceries, according to WalletHub’s database of 1,500+ offers. And the annual spending cap shouldn’t be too much of a concern, considering that the average person only spends about $4,400 on groceries per year.Blue Cash Preferred also adds unlimited 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services to the mix. The list includes pretty much everything you might think of, from Amazon Music, Apple Music and Audible to Hulu, Netflix, Spotify and various YouTube services.
Great for gas and transit purchases
Amex Blue Cash Preferred is very rewarding at the gas pump, offering 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. Fortunately for cardholders, that 3% rate now extends to a whole range of other transit expenses, too, from trains, taxis and ridesharing services to parking, tolls, and subway fare.
With that being said, all other purchases, including supermarket spending in excess of $6,000 per year, earn just 1% cash back. That’s roughly the market average for a cash rewards card, according to WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Landscape Report. So Blue Cash Preferred is best as a bonus-rewards specialist.
Annual fee of$0 intro the first year, then $95
American Express Blue Cash Preferreddoesn't charge an annual fee the first year. After that, the cardis overfour times more expensive than the average credit card, charging $95 per year.But even with this fixed cost taken into account, Blue Cash Preferred is still one of the most rewarding cards on the market. The average person, who makes about $36,506 in purchases that can be paid for with a credit card each year, would earn more than $1,400 in net rewards value over the first two years of use, according to WalletHub calculations.
Not the choice for carrying a balance
Amex Blue Cash Preferred offers a 0% introductory rate on both new purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. But other cards offer 0% intro rates on these types of transactions for at least as long, and most of them don’t charge annual fees. There is also a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5) to keep in mind.
Blue Cash Preferred’s regular APR is nothing special, either: 19.24% to 29.99% (V). For example, the higher rate reserved for people with good credit is guaranteed to be above the average among cards for people with fair credit. In other words, you can do better than Blue Cash Preferred if you don’t plan to pay your balance in full every month.
Good or excellent credit required
Not everyone can get Amex Blue Cash Preferred given its good-credit approval requirement. So you may want to check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub to make sure you have a good shot at qualifying before you submit an application.
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Compare The Blue Cash Preferred vs. Popular Alternatives
 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |  American Express® Gold Card |  Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
|---|---|---|
4.0WalletHub Rating WalletHub Rating 4.0 This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated this card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Earn Rewards." A score of 5 is the best a card can receive, and the rating for the card may vary on different pages where it is compared to other cards for different needs. Editor’s Rating 4.7 User Reviews 3.9 Market Comparison 3.9 fees: 2.1 rewards: 4.3 cost: 4.6 Other Features: 0.0 | 2.5WalletHub Rating WalletHub Rating 2.5 This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated this card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Earn Rewards." A score of 5 is the best a card can receive, and the rating for the card may vary on different pages where it is compared to other cards for different needs. Editor’s Rating 3.8 User Reviews 3.8 Market Comparison 2.2 fees: 2.1 rewards: 2.4 cost: 2.3 Other Features: 0.0 | 4.1WalletHub Rating WalletHub Rating 4.1 This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated this card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Finance New Purchases." A score of 5 is the best a card can receive, and the rating for the card may vary on different pages where it is compared to other cards for different needs. Editor’s Rating 4.2 User Reviews 3.6 Market Comparison 4.2 fees: 4.3 rewards: 5.0 cost: 4.3 APR: 3.8 |
annual fee$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after | annual fee$250 | annual fee$0 |
Purchase Intro APR0%for12 months | Purchase Intro APRNot Offered | Purchase Intro APR0%for15 months |
transfer intro apr0% for 12 months|Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5) | transfer intro aprNot Offered | transfer intro apr0% for 15 months|Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5) |
Regular APR19.24% - 29.99% (V) | Regular APRSee Pay Over Time APR | Regular APR19.24% - 29.99% (V) |
rewards rate | rewards rate | rewards rate |
bonus offer | bonus offer | bonus offer |
Sponsored Apply Now Terms Apply | Sponsored Apply Now Terms Apply | Sponsored Apply Now Terms Apply |
Blue Cash Preferred Review FAQ
Can't find what you are looking for? Submit your question about Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express to our community. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by the issuer of this offer. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Most Popular
13
Upvotes
Is Blue Cash Preferred hard to get?
Reply
13
Archie Conway, WalletHub Financial Advisor
@ArchieConway
Yes, Blue Cash Preferred is hard to get because it requires a credit score of 700+ for approval, which means you need good to excellent credit to get this card. Since the average credit score is lower than this requirement, most people will not be able to get the Blue Cash Preferred card.
You also won't get approved for the Blue Cash Preferred card if you already have five Amex cards, if you've already applied for an Amex card in the past five days, or if you've already applied for two Amex cards in the past 90 days.
Having said that, it is also worth noting that your credit score isn't the only thing the issuer takes into account while considering your application. Various other factors will also determine the outcome, like your credit history, your income and any debts you might have.
Lastly, for a better sense of your Blue Cash Preferred approval odds, check out the American Express pre-qualification tool. You can also check your credit score for free on WalletHub.
6
13
Upvotes
What is the Blue Cash Preferred credit limit?
Reply
13
1
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
The Blue Cash Preferred credit limit is based on American Express's assessment of each application, so the card's credit limit will be different for each applicant. American Express does not disclose any specific Blue Cash Preferred credit limit information in the card's terms, though.
For the most part, Blue Cash Preferred credit limits depend on each applicant's overall creditworthiness. People with the most income and the best credit scores are generally offered the highest starting credit limits.
That said,...
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4
11
Upvotes
Is Blue Cash Preferred worth it?
Reply
11
3
Frankie Solomon, WalletHub Analyst
@frankie.solo
Yes, Blue Cash Preferred is worth it for cardholders who spend enough to recoup the value of the card's $95 annual fee ($0 intro fee for the first year) in rewards earnings. The easiest way to do that is by spending $3,000 within 6 months of opening an account. That will trigger the card's $250 initial bonus (earned as a statement credit), which will help offset the annual fee for a couple of years.
Here's how to...
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6
1
11
Upvotes
What credit score do you need for the Blue Cash Preferred Card?
Reply
11
3
Elijah Nash, WalletHub Analyst
@Eli.nash
The credit score that you need for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is 700, at a minimum. That means people with good credit or better have a shot at getting approved for this card.
Other Blue Cash Preferred Approval Requirements
You should note that while your credit score is an important factor, there are plenty of other things that will impact your chances of being approved for the Blue Cash Preferred Card, too. Some other key criteria include your income,...
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7
1
11
Upvotes
Is Amex Blue Cash Preferred metal?
Reply
11
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is not a metal credit card, as it is made of plastic like most other credit cards. There's no functional difference between a plastic card like the Blue Cash Preferred and a metal credit card, though, so don't dismiss the Blue Cash Preferred just because it isn't metal. If you like the card's terms and benefits, you should still consider applying.
Metal credit cards are usually expensive luxury cards. Some popular examples of metal credit cards...
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5
11
Upvotes
Can you upgrade A Blue Cash Preferred credit card?
Reply
11
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
Yes, you can upgrade your Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express to a better offer as long as you've had the card for at least 14 months, and you will have the best odds if your credit score and income have gone up since you applied. To see if your Blue Cash Preferred card qualifies for an upgrade, call customer service at 888-397-1980. American Express also periodically sends targeted upgrade offers to existing cardholders by mail, email and in their online account.
...
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2
11
Upvotes
What is the Blue Cash Preferred interest rate?
Reply
11
James D richard, WalletHub Analyst
@b2bfever
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express interest rate is 19.24% - 29.99% (V), with the actual rate depending on factors such as your income, credit history and existing debt. The Blue Cash Preferred card also offers new cardholders an introductory interest rate of 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the card's intro rate expires, the regular interest rate applies to any remaining balance. There is also a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5). This Blue Cash Preferred card interest rate is variable, meaning it can change...
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3
21
Upvotes
How much is the Blue Cash Preferred Card annual fee?
Reply
21
1
Lisa Cahill, Credit Cards Moderator
@lisacahill
The Blue Cash Preferred card annual fee is $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after the first year. Blue Cash Preferred's $95 annual fee that's charged from the second year on is higher than the average annual fee among new credit card offers right now. It is not the only fee you need to worry about with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, either.
Blue Cash Preferred Fees
- Annual Fee: $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
- Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
- Foreign Fee: 2.7%
- Max Late...
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5
11
Upvotes
What stores count as supermarkets for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card?
Reply
11
2
Hector Molina, WalletHub Analyst
@hectormolina
The stores that count as supermarkets for the Blue Cash Preferred card 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.
Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect also get 6% cash back, up to the combined limit. To qualify, purchases must be classified with the merchant category code for supermarkets and...
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4
2
Upvotes
How do I access my Mastercard account online?
Reply
2
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
To access your Mastercard account online, open a web browser and navigate to your credit card issuer's website to log in with your username and password. It's important to note that Mastercard doesn't issue credit cards, so you cannot use the Mastercard website to log in to an existing Mastercard account. The Mastercard website only has an “Access your account” feature designed to connect you to your card's issuer.
After you're logged in to your Mastercard credit card account...
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1
2024 WalletHub Awards
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an Editor's Pick for:
Back to School Credit Cards
Credit Cards for Shopping
Cash Back Credit Cards
Rewards Credit Cards
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Blue Cash Preferred Reviews
Share your insights and review for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
5
41%
4
29%
3
18%
2
7%
1
5%
3.9
1,590 reviews
1,590 reviews
What's Your Rating?
Most Recent
Michael J
@Dontdoubtme1a
4 Star Rating
I definitely like the card, no doubt. The only little thing I have an issue with is I usually grocery shop at Walmart, but Walmart does not qualify in the grocery category for the 6%, so now I have to shop at higher-priced supermarkets. But other than that, great card.
Comment
irina beg
@irinabg19
1 Star Rating
Terrible customer service. Long story short, I have perfect credit history. I got an offer at Credit Karma for a Blue Cash credit card. I accepted and got a line for $10,000, which is not my first one. I have multiple credit lines with high limits and have never had a problem. couple of days later when i received the card, I decided to use it by purchasing furniture, and they blocked my card without notifying me. I had to call and speak to different representatives and a supervisor, all of whom were unhelpful and difficult to understand. They told me their financial team department was closed and I needed to call back the next business day—insane. I called back and was told that the system selected my account for a review, and I have to send two months' personal and business statements in order for them to decide whether or not they will keep my line open or close it. I sent it, and now I am told it will take around a week. They have terrible customer service; only one lady was super professional and helpful. Don't take this card, and reconsider AMEX overall. You'll have to go through a hassle in order to give them business—unbelievable!
Comment
4
1
Cynthia Leighton
@cyndi_leighton
Thank you irina. I hope potential customers read our reviews.
Comment
2
Bill Sloss
@mtsloss_wm57
Amex and a couple others are famous for financial reviews soon after getting their cards.
Comment
michael reid
@michael_reidh
5 Star Rating
I love this card...great customer service, good cash back, and my go to credit card! If I had to choose only one card, this is it!!
Comment
1
Alex
@Metal
5 Star Rating
You you like the highest is cash rewards 6 percent for groceries.....This Cash Card rewards has alot of perks ..if you are team cash ...Get this card ..One of the best card I have in my wallet... plus the offers on there app...get this card..you wont regret it..
Comment
1
2
Dennis
@dennismast91
5 Star Rating
One of my favorites. American Express is a good company. They offer many benefits to go with the card. Shortly after receiving my card, I decided to open both checking and savings accounts. They actually offer pretty good savings rates!
Comment
1
2
Randall
@rwj_ford
5 Star Rating
This is a awesome credit card to have ! I’ve never had a problem with the card . If you use this card responsibly the rewards are great !
Comment
2
Paul
@paulclay43
5 Star Rating
A Valuable card. All of my grocery expenses,gas,streaming, and offers go on this and I pay the balance every 2 wks. This is my operating card. Love it.
Comment
3
d_j_jackson
@d_j_jackson
5 Star Rating
The customer service is excellent, they anticipate the customer’s needs and address before you’re aware of them yourself. The response to any inquiries or requests is immediate. The rich cashback amounts justify the annual fee. This is now my go to card for everyday purchases. The initial credit limit was respectable, and was increased at my request when the account was 90 days old, without any additional hard pull.
Comment
3
parson_09_modals
@parson_09_modals
1 Star Rating
I’ve been a member since 2016. With a $10,000 limit They made a mistake in my credit report. Then in-turn decided to decrease my credit limit by $9000 to $1000 when I called them and asked can they they told me to do to my credit report and usage explained that I pay $95 a year whether I use it or not, I have never miss a payment so do you mean to tell me if I don’t use the card I have to be penalized so basically you guys are trying to hold me hostage to the card she returned with. I don’t know what to tell you I can put an appeal which you will have to go through a whole other credit check that is unbelievable seeing that you pay every year, I said so why not lower the annual fee if I don’t use the card….. unbelievable absolute worst
Comment
3
2
mtsloss_wm57
@mtsloss_wm57
If you're not using your card very much they can and will reel in your credit limit. Since you're not using the card for much a $1000 limit that you can pay as you go shouldn't hurt.
Comment
1
David Mackenzie
@mackenzie0014
Wow! Same exact situation I just had. Been a loyal customer for 3 years and without warning they dropped my line from 10,000 to 1000. I’ve always used it responsibly never ran it up high, and never, ever late. Terrible customer service as I can barely understand the person on the other line, and when I went to ask them to reconsider their decision, they wanted me to go through all kinds of documentation, send bank statements etc. Absolutely ridiculous. The whole credit system is rigged so they can mess with your score. This is how they make their money.
Comment
3
2
kevin
@budhaboy
4 Star Rating
Amex has really taken good care of me as a customer. Too many banks and credit card companies try to make things confusing so you'll make a mistake and they can charge interest or fees, not so with Amex. They make your statements easy to understand and their staff is really helpful is solving issues and answering questions.
Comment
2
4
Review Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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