Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
It can be easy to get carried away at the supermarket, especially if you make the mistake of shopping hungry.
But that extra spending doesn’t have to be a drag on your budget. Instead, it can put a bunch of extra cash back in your pocket. Up to 6% back at U.S. supermarkets ($6,000 annual spending cap), which is the highest U.S. supermarket cash back rate we’ve come across (and we’ve reviewed hundreds of offers). Terms apply.
All you need to do is add the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express to your wallet. And the cherry on top? This card currently offers a hefty $250 welcome offer statement credit that's earned for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Terms apply.
Check out all the juicy details below for why this card could be a great addition to your cart.
Important: Is your credit score below good or excellent? If so, you’re less likely to get approved for this card — but visit this page for our top-rated options for getting out of debt and building your credit.
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
4.80 out of 5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
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4 stars equals Excellent.
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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
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= Fair = Poor4.80 out of 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
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% on purchases, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards 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
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Low Intro APR: 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 19.74% - 28.74%.
- 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 Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Put more cash back in your pocket
Cash back reigns supreme with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Here’s a breakdown of its generous rates:
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets, capped at $6,000 per calendar year (then 1%)
- 6% back on select streaming subscriptions
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 3% cash back on transit including taxi/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 1% back on other spending
- Terms apply
The best part is that 6% back is one of the highest rates I’ve come across for cash back cards. And it’s not just relegated to quarterly spending in a one-off category where you might not be able to fully maximize your rewards -- it’s 6% back at U.S. supermarkets -- one of the biggest expense categories for most consumers.
In fact, this perk is so valuable that if you spend just $500 a month at U.S. supermarkets, you'll max out that 6% back each year for $360 total cash back.
Even more (unbelievable) perks
$250 welcome offer: The spending minimum for this bonus statement credit is $3,000 within the first 6 months. As far as cash back cards are concerned, this is one of the biggest welcome bonuses. Terms apply.
0% intro APR: You'll have a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, after which the go-to rate is 19.74%-28.74% Variable. There are cards out there with longer intro periods if you'll need more time to pay everything off, but the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express still does well here, given that cards with high cash back rates and bonuses often don't even have 0% intro APRs. (see rates and fees)
Travel and purchase protections: American Express has put together a nice list of protections rivaling those of other popular credit cards. This card gets you rental car insurance*, accidental damage and theft coverage, return protection**, and extended warranty coverage.*** Terms apply.
Suggested credit score
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a credit card for good credit. That's not a requirement, though, as credit scores aren't the only thing American Express uses in their decision, and applicants have reported approvals with lower scores.
It’s time to ditch debit
If you can pay off your credit card each month, it’s practically a no-brainer to use credit cards instead of debit cards or cash. That’s for three main reasons:
- Credit cards offer much better fraud protections than debit cards.
- They are a primary way you can raise your credit score with good credit behaviors -- and a main reason I was able to raise my credit score above 800.
- You can easily earn hundreds of dollars in cash back each year with a top credit card.
This credit card is right for you if:
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could be a valuable addition to your wallet. Here are the most common situations where this card is worth a look:
- You spend at least $135 per month at U.S. supermarkets, which will cover the cost of the annual fee (see rates and fees) in cash back.
- You want a hefty, easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- You want a card that has big rewards and a solid 0% intro APR offer.
Our Credit Cards Experts
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* Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
** 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.
*** 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.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
• 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.
For rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here