How the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Can Pay for Its Annual Fee 8 Times Over

If you want a simple way to save on groceries, gas, and more, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the card for you.

With valuable earnings rates like 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions (terms apply), you can easily rack up rewards on the things you already buy.

And the Amex Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees.) So it's easy to hold onto it year after year. It's no wonder Motley Fool Money named it the Best Card for Groceries in 2025.

Here's how the Amex Blue Cash Preferred can pay for itself eight times over in the first year.

A welcome offer worth $250

Right now, new cardholders earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred in the first 6 months. Terms apply. That's a super easy way to get your cash back journey off on the right foot.

Most people can hit that spending requirement just by paying for the things they already buy. Once they do, they'll get a $250 statement credit automatically applied to their account -- it's that simple.

Want to earn your bonus now? Read our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred to learn more.

Hundreds of dollars on everyday spending

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred comes with strong cash back rates across everyday spending categories:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
• 1% cash back on other purchases
• Terms apply

What you earn here depends on how much you spend. But let's say your family maxes out the 6% category -- that'd net you $360 a year in cash back (plus you'll keep earning 1% after that).

Then, if you earn another $100 cash back or so on streaming, gas, transit, and all other purchases, you're looking at $460 in cash back -- all for things you're probably buying anyway.

$120 on select streaming services

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred's streaming benefits don't stop at its high earnings rate. You'll also get up to $10 monthly credits to be used for subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+, up to a $120 annual value. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.

It's just one more reason why this card is a great option for families. If you spend a lot on streaming services, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred can help.

Over $800 in potential first-year value

Combining your welcome bonus, cash back earnings, and the streaming service credit, your first year with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred might look like this:

• Welcome bonus: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
• Cash back: $460
• Streaming credits: up to $120

In this scenario, you're looking at an $830 value, more than eight times the card's ongoing annual fee after year one.

And since that annual fee is waived for the first year, you've already justified holding onto the card for nine whole years. That's nearly a decade's worth of cash back you could be earning now.

Ready to get started? Check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred and apply today.