The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great option if you spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, or U.S. gas stations.

The card does have a $95 annual fee (with a $0 intro annual fee in the first year). Given this, you want to make sure you get value from the multipliers and the other credits.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. See rates and fees.

Point Multipliers

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns cash back (not points!) and has competitive multipliers:

• 6% Cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% after that
• 6% Cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% Cash back on transit including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
• 3% Cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% Cash back on other purchases

Terms apply.

Other Benefits

The card has a handful of other benefits ranging from shopping to fitness.

Disney Bundle Credit

Use your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express to spend $9.99 or more each month on a subscription to the Disney Bundle and get a $7 monthly statement credit. This works at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or plus.espn.com in the U.S.

If you already use these services, or you were considering them anyway, this is a great way to make the annual fee less intimidating.  Terms apply. Subject to auto-renewal.

Up to $120 Equinox+ Credit

You get up to $10 in statement credits back per month after you use your enrolled card to pay for a subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com. Enrollment required. Subject to auto-renewal. Terms apply.

Return Protection

One of the best perks on premium American Express cards is Return Protection.  If a seller refuses to accept a return, you can return items bought using your eligible card.  This is possible up to 90 days after purchase. American Express may give you a refund for the item's full price, minus shipping and handling, with a limit of $300 per item. The maximum refund amount is $1,000 per card account each year. This only applies to purchases made in the U.S. or its territories. 

Most of the other cards that have this benefit have very large annual fees ($450, $550, $695 level). This is one of the few “normal” cards that include this benefit. Even the American Express Gold does not have this perk.

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.

Review: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you have significant spending at  U.S. supermarkets or U.S. gas stations, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express might be worth considering.

You’ll need to do the math to see if the cash back earned outweighs the annual fee.

For example, if you value the other perks at zero and focus on one of the multipliers:

Where x = U.S. supermarkets
0.06x - $95 = 0
x = $1,584

You would need to spend $1,584 on U.S. supermarkets every year to break even, given the annual fee.

It’s important to note that the card earns cash back, not Membership Rewards. If you’re looking to optimize your daily spending for travel, consider looking at other card options that earn flexible points.

Main Takeaway

This card is great if you have significant spending in the right categories. Given the $95 annual fee, you want to figure out the breakeven to make sure you’re coming out ahead.

For most people, if you spend $1,500+ on U.S. supermarkets every year, this card probably makes sense, especially once you consider the credits.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review, please click here.