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Both of these cards are perennial favorites. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is one of the best travel rewards cards you can get at the $95 price point. And the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express might be the best cash back card for everyday spending, period.
I've carried both at different points in my life. They serve slightly different purposes, and the right pick really comes down to how you spend. Here's a breakdown of the key differences.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.80/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Good/Excellent
Welcome Offer:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
75,000 bonus points
Welcome Offer:
You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
Rewards Program:
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and 3x online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
5x on Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 2x on all other travel
Rewards Program:
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
1%-6% Cash Back
Intro APR:
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Intro APR:
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR:
19.24% - 27.49% Variable
APR:
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Annual Fee:
$95
Annual Fee:
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Highlights:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Member FDIC
Highlights:
Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
• Extended warranty, purchase protection warranty, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
At Motley Fool Money, every credit card we review is rated on a 5-star scale, scored to a tenth of a point. Our ratings weigh the features that matter most: rewards rates, 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
We score cards within four primary categories:
0% intro APR cards for paying down balances or financing purchases
Travel cards for maximizing points, miles, and perks on the road
Cash back and rewards cards for everyday spending value
Business cards designed to fit company expenses and growth
Top-rated cards typically combine strong long-term value, attainable bonuses, low fees, and standout protections or perks.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
At Motley Fool Money, every credit card we review is rated on a 5-star scale, scored to a tenth of a point. Our ratings weigh the features that matter most: rewards rates, 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.
We score cards within four primary categories:
0% intro APR cards for paying down balances or financing purchases
Travel cards for maximizing points, miles, and perks on the road
Cash back and rewards cards for everyday spending value
Business cards designed to fit company expenses and growth
Top-rated cards typically combine strong long-term value, attainable bonuses, low fees, and standout protections or perks.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
Annual fees: Slight edge to Amex
Both cards charge the same annual fee, but the Amex has a small advantage for new cardholders in the first year.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee from the get-go. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees.)
So basically after year one, they're identical on annual fees.
Winner: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Welcome offer: Chase is much bigger
Both cards come with a welcome bonus offer, but Chase's is worth significantly more -- especially if you're planning to book travel.
Chase Sapphire Preferred current offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth at least $750 in Chase Travel℠ value.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred current offer: Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
If maximizing welcome bonus offer value is a priority, Chase wins this one clearly.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro APR: Amex wins by default
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred has an intro APR offer: Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, a 19.49%-28.49% Variable APR will apply.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has no intro APR offer.
Worth noting: if an intro APR is your main priority, there are dedicated 0% intro APR cards that offer longer promo windows.
Winner: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Ongoing rewards: Points vs. cash back
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points -- one of the most flexible rewards currencies out there. Here's how the card earns points on spending:
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
3X points on gas & EV charging
3X points on vacation homes
2X points on all other travel purchases
1X points on all other purchases
You'll also earn up to $100 in annual statement credits for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠.
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on 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
You'll also get up to $10/month in statement credits for eligible Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ subscriptions. Terms apply. For families with big grocery and streaming bills, this card can essentially pay for itself.
One caveat: the 6% U.S. supermarket rate doesn't apply at big box stores like Walmart or Target.
Winner: Depends on your spending -- Chase for travel and dining, Amex for U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and streaming.
Travel benefits: Chase wins hands-down
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards card. It comes with no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel and emergency assistance.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is better suited for domestic, everyday spending. It has foreign transaction fees, and doesn't offer the same travel protections as Chase.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Final verdict: Which card is right for you?
You honestly can't go wrong with either. But one will definitely be better depending on how you spend and travel.
Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if:
You spend more on travel and dining
You want to transfer points to hotel or airline partners
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is the clear winner for groceries. It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year -- very hard to beat at this price point. Just note that big box stores like Walmart and Target don't qualify.
Honestly, probably not. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is built around travel rewards, and its highest redemption options are through Chase Travel℠ or transfer partners. If travel isn't a big thing for you, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred (or another cash back card) will likely pay you more rewards.
Yes -- and they actually pair really well together because of their unique strengths. Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred for travel and dining and the Amex Blue Cash Preferred at U.S. supermarkets, transit, and for streaming services. Just make sure you're using each one enough to cover the ongoing annual fees.
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Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O'Leary has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, American Express, JPMorgan Chase, and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.
