Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred holds the highest grocery rate among major cards: 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, plus 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% on transit and U.S. gas. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $95, and a family spending $6,000 at supermarkets earns $360 at the 6% rate alone. A 0% intro APR for 12 months covers purchases and balance transfers. Light grocery spenders should take the fee-free Blue Cash Everyday instead.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, worth up to $360 at the cap
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Up to $120 per year in Disney bundle credits, enrollment required
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year
- American Express purchase protections and dispute support
- Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95
- Intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Regular purchase APR after the intro period: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Balance transfer APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable, transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening, fee is Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- Your household spends $3,100 or more per year at U.S. supermarkets, the point where 6% beats the Everyday's free 3%
- Your subscriptions run through select U.S. streaming services, adding 6% on bills you already pay
- You commute by transit or drive regularly, both earn 3%
- You want a first year with no annual fee and 12 months of 0% intro APR to test the card
- You should skip it if groceries are a small line item, the fee-free Blue Cash Everyday fits better
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review
The Blue Cash Preferred turns a grocery bill into the strongest steady cash flow in the cash back market: 6% at U.S. supermarkets. The $95 fee after the first year is the toll. This review shows the break-even point and who clears it comfortably.
How You Earn
The 6% supermarket rate is the headline; streaming, transit and gas fill out the frame.
- The $6,000 supermarket cap resets each calendar year
- U.S. supermarkets exclude superstores and warehouse clubs
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) | 6% |
| Select U.S. streaming subscriptions | 6% |
| Transit (taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses) | 3% |
| U.S. gas stations | 3% |
| Other eligible purchases | 1% |
How You Redeem
Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars.
- Redeem for statement credits
- Rewards post as you redeem, not automatically
Benefits and Protections
The Disney bundle credit and standard Amex protections round out the card.
- Up to $120 Disney bundle credit per year, $10 monthly, enrollment required
- Purchase protections and return dispute support
- Access to Amex Offers for extra statement credits
Who This Card Is For
Families whose supermarket spending approaches the $6,000 cap, where the card returns $360 per year at 6%. Commuters and streaming households stack the 3% and 6% side categories. Small grocery budgets do not clear the $95 fee.
- Households with $260+ monthly grocery bills
- Streaming subscribers and transit commuters
- Anyone wanting a fee-free first year to test it
Comparison
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred® Card | Citi Double Cash® Card | U.S. Bank Cash+® Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | $0 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | As high as $300 back, $3,000 in 6 mo | $200 after $1,500 in 6 mo | $200 after $1,000 in 90 days |
| Rewards Rate | 6% groceries and streaming, 3% gas, transit | 2% on everything, no caps | 5% on two chosen categories, capped |
| Intro APR | 0% for 12 months, purchases and transfers | 0% for 18 months, transfers only | 0% for 15 billing cycles, both |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% after conversion | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars | See issuer terms |
| Best For | Grocery-heavy households | Flat-rate simplicity | Category maximizers |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred® Card | Blue Cash Everyday® Card | American Express® Gold Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | $0 | $325 |
| Welcome Offer | As high as $300 back, $3,000 in 6 mo | As high as $200 back, $2,000 in 6 mo | As high as 100,000 pts, $8,000 in 6 mo |
| Rewards Rate | 6% groceries and streaming, 3% gas, transit | 3% groceries, gas, online retail, capped | 4X dining and U.S. supermarkets |
| Key Credits | Disney bundle credit | Disney streaming, Home Chef | Up to $424 dining, Uber, Resy, Dunkin' |
| Best For | Big grocery budgets | No-fee essentials | Dining plus points |
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