Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review
The card_name offers up to 6% cash back and a welcome offer. It’s an excellent credit card if grocery shopping is one of your bigger expenses. It also offers elevated rewards on select streaming services, gas, and transit. There’s a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. There’s also a 0% introductory APR offer.
Our Rating
4.5/5.0
4.5/5.0
Welcome Offer
Earn a $250 statement credit
Earn a $250 statement credit
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
0% on Purchases
12 Months
12 Months
Rewards Rate
1%-6%
1%-6%
0% on Balance Transfers
12 Months
12 Months
Welcome Offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.Features & Benefits
| Security | EMV Chip Enabled, Zero Liability, Alerts |
| Contactless Payments | Tap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay |
| Benefits | Extended Warranty Coverage, Purchase Protection, Return Guarantees, 24/7 customer service |
| Travel Perks | Access to Special Events and Concerts, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Travel Assistance |
Rewards
6% cash back
6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
6% cash back
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash back
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% cash back
3% cash back on transit, such as taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses
1% cash back
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Interest Rates & Fees
| Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. |
| Regular APR | 18.99% - 29.99% (V) APR |
| Balance Transfers | 0% Intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers, then 18.99% - 29.99%(V) APR after that. |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
| Purchases | 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 18.99% - 29.99% (V) APR after that. |
Insurance
Extended Warranty
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Return Protection
With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Purchase Protection
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
- Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
- Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
What Credit Score Is Required to Get the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use a number of factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.
| App Status | Date | Credit Score | Bureau | Credit Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approved | 05/17/2021 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 04/09/2022 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 04/09/2022 | TransUnion | ||
| Approved | 12/17/2021 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 12/17/2021 | TransUnion | ||
| Approved | 03/20/2022 | Experian | ||
| Approved | 07/21/2021 | Experian |
Pros
- Welcome offer
- Up to 6% cash back
Cons
- Annual fee
- High APR
- Foreign transaction fee
What Are the Best Alternatives?
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Rating
4.7
Rewards Range
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer
Rating
4.9
Rewards Range
1% to 2%
Annual Fee
$0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating
4.9
Rewards Range
1.5% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
FAQs
Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred worth it?
The answer depends on how much you use the card. If you max out the 6% cash back on groceries each year, the card more than pays for itself. Six percent back on $6,000 in groceries will earn you $360. Add to that any additional cash back, and the card is easily worth the annual fee.
Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred a charge card?
No. Blue Cash Preferred is a credit card. You can pay it off in full each month, which is always the best approach. But if you need to pay it off over time, you can.
How does it compare to the Blue Cash Everyday card?
The Blue Cash Everyday card by American Express is a no annual fee version of the Blue Cash Preferred card. In exchange for no annual fee, your rewards rates are lower. For example, rather than 6%, you’ll earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 in groceries each year with the Blue Cash Everyday card.
Does the Blue Cash Preferred charge a foreign transaction fee?
Yes–2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Does the card earn Amex Membership Rewards?
No. Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns Reward Dollars that can be used for statement credit, merchandise, or gift cards. For those who want to earn Membership Rewards, consider the The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card.
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