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Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95, and earns cash back as Reward Dollars ⁠2. It pays 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a year and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations ⁠2.

Compiled from official sources Checked against American Express’s terms Last reviewed How we research
Contents11 sections

At a glance

Annual fee$95 $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95⁠2
Foreign transaction fee2.7% Of each transaction after conversion to US dollars⁠2
RewardsEarns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations, and 1% on other eligible purchases, paid as Reward Dollars.
Rewards programAmerican Express Reward Dollars (cash back)
NetworkAmerican Express
IssuerAmerican Express · Official card page

What to know about the Blue Cash Preferred

The 6% supermarket rate applies to the first $6,000 of eligible purchases in a calendar year, then drops to 1% ⁠2. Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and meal-kit delivery services are not treated as supermarkets, and gas bought at superstores, supermarkets or warehouse clubs does not earn the 3% gas rate ⁠2. Streaming earns 6% only with providers on American Express's list, and subscriptions bundled with another service or billed by a third party may not qualify ⁠2. Reward Dollars can be redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout, with no minimum ⁠2.

The Disney Streaming Credit pays up to $10 a month after an enrolled card is used at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com ⁠2. An annual subscription bought with the card qualifies for only one credit of up to $10, in the month of purchase ⁠2.

American Express's guides list car rental coverage of up to $50,000 per rental agreement, on a secondary basis, and purchase protection of up to $1,000 per covered purchase for 90 days ⁠4⁠6. Return protection may refund up to $300 per item when a merchant won't take an item back within 90 days, and extended warranty adds up to one year to warranties of 5 years or less ⁠10⁠8. Purchases made abroad carry a 2.7% foreign transaction fee ⁠2.

Earning rewards

How the Blue Cash Preferred earns cash back
RateOn
6% cash back U.S. supermarketsLimit: First $6,000 of eligible purchases in a calendar year, then 1%Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and meal-kit delivery services are not considered supermarkets⁠2
6% cash back Select U.S. streaming subscriptionsSelect providers listed at americanexpress.com/rewards-info; bundled or third-party-billed subscriptions may not be eligible⁠2
3% cash back Transit (trains, taxicabs, ride share, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, subways)Airfare, car rental and cruises are not considered transit⁠2
3% cash back Gasoline at U.S. gas stationsSuperstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations⁠2
1% cash back All other eligible purchases⁠2

Reward Dollars can be redeemed for statement credits or for eligible items at Amazon.com checkout, with no minimum redemption amount.⁠2

Travel insurance and assistance

Rental car coverageCar Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: up to $50,000 per rental agreement for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle, rentals up to 30 consecutive days; secondary coverage. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.⁠4⁠3⁠2
Travel and emergency assistanceGlobal Assist Hotline: 24/7 coordination and assistance (lost passport, translation, missing luggage, emergency legal and medical referrals) when traveling more than 100 miles from home; services are free but Card Members are responsible for third-party costs.⁠2⁠11⁠13

Purchase and phone protection

Purchase protectionPurchase Protection: covers damage or theft of covered purchases for up to 90 days from purchase, up to $1,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per eligible card per calendar year ($500 per covered event for natural disasters). Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.⁠6⁠5⁠2
Extended warrantyExtended Warranty: extends original manufacturer's warranties of 5 years or less by up to 1 additional year, up to $10,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per eligible card per calendar year. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.⁠8⁠7⁠2
Return protectionReturn Protection: if a merchant won't take back an eligible item within 90 days of purchase, American Express may refund up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.⁠10⁠9⁠2

Account features

Free credit scoreFICO Score and Experian credit report through American Express MyCredit Guide, free for Card Members.⁠12

Statement credits

Disney Streaming Credit$120 up to $10 per month. Enrollment required; monthly or annual subscription purchases (the product page says including a bundle subscription purchase) made online at U.S. websites DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com; an annual subscription qualifies for only one credit of up to $10, in the month of purchase; subscriptions bought through third-party devices or platforms or bundled with cable services are not eligible⁠2⁠1

Other perks

Use cash back at Amazon.com checkoutReward Dollars can be used at Amazon.com checkout after linking the Card Account; same value as a statement credit⁠1

Not listed for this card

The American Express pages and benefit terms we checked for the Blue Cash Preferred do not list these benefits:

Some benefits come from the card network rather than the bank and are not always advertised. Your own Guide to Benefits, or the number on the back of the card, is the final word on what your account covers.

Sources

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