Card guide
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Card guide overview
A cash-back card earning 6% at U.S. supermarkets and streaming, 3% at gas and transit—best for families with high grocery spend.
Key card attributes
| Issuing bank | Reward currency | Currency type | Network | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex | Cash Back | Cash back | Amex | $95 (FYF) |
Closest alternatives
At a glance
The card in three decisions.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. It earns 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% elsewhere.
The $95 annual fee is waived the first year. At 6% on groceries, a household spending $500/month at supermarkets earns $360 cash back per year—well above the fee. The $300 welcome offer requires $3,000 spend in 6 months.
Best fit
Families with high grocery spend
6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year is the highest grocery cash-back rate available. The $95 fee is easily offset by moderate grocery spending.
Current timing
$300 statement credit is the standard offer
$3,000 spend in 6 months, up from $250 since early 2026. The $0 first-year fee makes this a low-risk entry.
Main watchout
$6,000 annual grocery cap—after that, 1%
Heavy grocery shoppers may exceed the $6,000 annual cap. Beyond that, the card earns only 1% at supermarkets.
Current and historical offer
The $300 statement credit is the standard offer.
We compare public offers with public offers. Amex increased the standard offer from $250 to $300 in early 2026.
Timing assessment
$300 is the standard offer and near the tracked high.
Amex raised the standard offer from $250 to $300 in early 2026. The $0 first-year fee reduces risk; the $400 all-time high required paying the $95 fee.
Why someone may wait
The $400 peak came with an un-waived annual fee.
The best pure value remains the $300 + waived first-year fee. Chasing a higher offer means accepting the $95 fee, as the pre-2023 $400 variant did.
Card benefits
6% at U.S. supermarkets is the headline.
Editorial assessment of the card benefits.
Tier 1 - Grocery earning
The defining benefit.
U.S. supermarkets at 6%
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- $6,000 annual cap ($500/month average).
- Does not include warehouse clubs or specialty stores.
Know the limits: The $6,000 annual cap means a maximum of $360 grocery cash back per year. After the cap, the rate drops to 1%.
Tier 2 - Streaming and transit
Additional bonus categories.
6% Select U.S. streaming subscriptions
Earn 6% on select U.S. streaming services.
Includes services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and more. Check Amex for qualifying services.
3% U.S. gas stations and transit
Earn 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit including rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses.
Covers a broad range of transit categories alongside gas.
Tier 3 - Card basics
Standard protections.
$0 intro first year, then $95 Fee structure
Annual fee is waived the first year. $95 thereafter.
Cash back as statement credit Rewards
Redeem cash back as a statement credit.
Foreign transaction fee applies Warning
International purchases incur a fee.
Comparison method: Cash-back grocery cards reviewed in July 2026.
Earning rates
6% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at gas and transit.
Cash-back percentages on eligible purchases.
U.S. supermarkets
On up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
Select U.S. streaming subscriptions
Qualifying streaming services.
U.S. gas stations
Fuel purchases at U.S. gas stations.
Transit
Rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses.
All other purchases
One percent on other purchases.
Credit interaction: $6,000 annual cap on 6% grocery earning. After the cap, grocery purchases earn 1%. Streaming 6% has no separate cap.
Blue Cash Preferred value proposition
Best grocery cash-back rate for U.S. supermarket shoppers.
The Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year.
The math
6%up to $6K/yr
6% back at U.S. supermarkets with a $95 fee.
For households spending $500/month at supermarkets, the 6% rate generates $360 cash back per year—well above the $95 annual fee. The first year has no fee.
Ideal spending profile
Where the card earns best.
- U.S. supermarkets (6% back, $6K cap)
- Select U.S. streaming (6% back)
- U.S. gas stations (3% back)
- Transit and rideshare (3% back)
Blue Cash Preferred at a glance
Key features.
- 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year
- 6% on select U.S. streaming
- 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit
- $0 intro annual fee first year, then $95
- $300 statement credit welcome offer
When to use Blue Cash Everyday instead
When the no-fee Everyday is a better fit.
- Grocery spend is under $3,200/year (break-even vs Preferred fee)
- You want 3% on online retail purchases
- You prefer no annual fee
Sources and methodology
Sources for this page
- Last checked: August 16, 2026
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