American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review: Bonus Cash Back Where It Counts

Blue Cash Preferred Benefits

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card offers a mix of everyday value and practical perks designed for busy households. From high cash-back rates to valuable introductory offers, each benefit helps cardholders save money and make the most of their regular spending. Here’s a closer look at the standout benefits that set the Blue Cash Preferred Card apart.

Excellent Cash-Back Rewards Rates

The Blue Cash Preferred Card stands out for its high cash-back rates on everyday essentials. You’ll earn:

• 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
• 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (this includes taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
• 1% back on all other purchases

This rewards structure makes it easy to earn meaningful rewards without changing your habits. As a single parent, I easily spend more than $500 a month at U.S. supermarkets, so that bonus category alone earns me around $360 in annual rewards.

Note that cash back is issued as Reward Dollars, which you can redeem for a statement credit or at Amazon checkout.

Introductory 0% APR Promotion

New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR.

This feature gives you a good chunk of time to pay off large expenses or consolidate debt with a balance transfer interest-free. That said, it’s shorter than what you can get with some other low-APR credit cards, so if your top priority is interest savings, keep shopping around.

Disney Streaming Credit

Cardholders can earn up to $120 in annual statement credits toward Disney streaming services — up to $10 back per month — when they use their enrolled card to pay for U.S. subscriptions on Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+.

Once enrolled, the benefit applies automatically with no minimum purchase required, making it an easy way to save on popular entertainment options your household may already use. This perk alone is enough to outweigh the card’s annual fee.

Decent Welcome Offer

New Blue Cash Preferred cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. It’s a straightforward, high-value bonus that rewards everyday spending and helps justify the card’s annual fee early on.

The six-month timeline also makes it easier to earn the bonus, as most credit cards give you just three months to meet the spending threshold.

Travel and Purchase Protections

When you use your Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card for qualifying purchases, you’ll receive travel and purchase protections, including:

• Car rental insurance: Decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver and pay with your card, and you’ll be eligible for secondary car rental coverage against damage due to theft or collision.
• Purchase protection: If an eligible item you’ve bought with the card is accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you’re eligible for up to $1,000 in reimbursement per item (up to $50,000 per account per calendar year).
• Extended warranty: This benefit extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items by up to one year, on warranties of five years or less. Coverage is up to $10,000 per item (up to $50,000 per account per calendar year).
• Return protection: If you attempt to return an eligible item within 90 days of purchase and the merchant refuses to accept it back, you can be reimbursed up to $300 per item (up to $1,000 per account per calendar year).

Blue Cash Preferred Drawbacks

While the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card offers some considerable advantages, there are also some drawbacks to keep in mind before you apply.

Charges an Annual Fee

The card comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. While the card’s high cash-back rates can easily outweigh the fee for families or heavy spenders, lighter spenders may find it harder to justify the cost long-term.

It’s also important to keep in mind that most cash-back credit cards don’t charge an annual fee at all. If you don’t want to deal with an extra cost, this card might not be the right fit for you.

Bonus Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets Is Capped

You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, but only on up to $6,000 in purchases per year — after that, the rate drops to 1%.

That’s up to $360 in cash-back rewards up for grabs every year, which is impressive. However, for households with large grocery budgets, that cap can arrive faster than expected, limiting the overall value of the rewards.

Low Base Rewards Rate

All purchases outside of the card’s bonus categories earn just 1% cash back. That makes it less rewarding for everyday expenses that don’t fall into the top-earning categories, especially compared to flat-rate cash-back cards that earn 1.5% or more across the board.

For example, I use my Blue Cash Preferred Card for U.S. supermarket, U.S. gas and U.S. streaming service purchases, then use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which earns a base rewards rate of 2 miles per dollar, for most everything else.

Who Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Best For?

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card is best suited for people who spend heavily in everyday categories like groceries, gas, streaming and commuting in the U.S. Its high cash-back potential makes it a solid choice for families or anyone with consistent monthly expenses in these areas.

It’s especially a strong fit for people who don’t mind managing more than one credit card. Because the Blue Cash Preferred Card earns just 1% on non-bonus purchases, pairing it with a flat-rate cash-back card that earns 1.5% to 2% everywhere else can help you maximize rewards across all your spending.

Finally, if you’re comfortable with an annual fee and plan to use the card’s perks — especially its Disney streaming credit or strong grocery rewards — the Blue Cash Preferred Card can easily make sense to keep year after year.

Is It the Right Card for You?

Here’s how you can tell if the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card is worth it for you:

• You spend a lot each month on groceries, gas, streaming and commuting
• You don’t mind paying an annual fee if the rewards outweigh it
• You’re comfortable using multiple cards to maximize cash back
• You prefer simple cash-back rewards over travel points
• You plan to keep the card long-term for consistent everyday value

Alternatives to the Blue Cash Preferred

If the Blue Cash Preferred Card isn’t the perfect fit, here are two great alternatives to consider:

• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This is a strong choice for those who want great cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, all with no annual fee. It also offers a solid welcome bonus and a 0% intro on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) APR.
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: This card, an advertising partner, is ideal if you like what the Blue Cash Preferred Card has to offer but don’t want an annual fee. It offers bonus rewards in similar areas and even a Disney streaming credit, though it’s slightly lower.