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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers bonus categories that bring greater value to routine purchases. This card is renowned for its potential to earn up to 6% back (as a statement credit) on U.S. supermarket purchases and selected U.S. streaming services, with 3% back on U.S. gas station expenditures. It also offers rewards for transit. Furthermore, its design incorporates contactless payment capabilities.
$250 Bonus: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card Bonus Categories
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers four different bonus categories:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- Unlimited 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more (no limit)
- Unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on other purchases (no limit)
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com at checkout.
As you can see, most people will make purchases in several of these categories, likely several times a month. Knowing that cash back can be earned on something that is already going to be purchased can make spending a bit more enjoyable.
Let’s look at each category in more detail.
Streaming Services
Plus, with their enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, cardholders who spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
Additionally, it’s possible to earn an unlimited 6% back on over 20 U.S. streaming services. Some of the eligible platforms include Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, and Audible. This list is more extensive than other rewards credit cards.
If you’re looking for an excuse to cut the cable subscription, now is your chance.
Transit
However you commute to work, it’s more likely you can get 3% back on your commuting expenses. You get an unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations.
It’s also possible to earn an unlimited 3% back on public transit, parking, and tolls. Even rideshares, including Lyft and Uber, earn 3% back.
While you still don’t earn bonus points on travel purchases, you save money on your day-to-day transit costs.
Grocery Purchases
The first $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets earns 6% back. This is the card’s only purchase category that has an annual spending limit. All purchases above the $6,000 spend mark earn an unlimited 1% back until your next card anniversary. Maximizing the 6% bonus gives you $360 cash back each year.
However, note that purchases made at stores like Walmart and Target only earn 1% back on every purchase, including your groceries. Earning the 6% back means making purchases at eligible U.S. stores.
Redeeming Purchase Rewards
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a cash-back credit card. Cash back comes in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com.
Unlike some of the better-known American Express credit cards that earn Membership Rewards® points, these rewards can’t be transferred to airline partners or redeemed for travel rewards. If you’re looking for a travel rewards credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture are good cards that may fit your needs.
Card Design
The card design features the iconic Centurion that graces other high-end American Express credit cards.
But it’s not a metal credit card.
This card also has a contactless payment ability that lets you simply tap to pay for in-person purchases.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is the ability to earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express within the first 6 months. There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (See Rates & Fees).
Like other American Express cards, this bonus is only awarded once per card. Previous cardholders who earned the Blue Cash Preferred welcome bonus cannot qualify to earn the bonus a second time.
Additional Blue Cash Preferred Card Benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
Travel Benefits
Nobody will mistake the Blue Cash Preferred as a credit card for travel rewards, but its travel protection benefits are competitive with other cashback credit cards.
You get secondary rental car collision damage waiver protection when declining the rental car agency insurance.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Annual Fee
There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and then $95 thereafter (See Rates & Fees).
Summary of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Category Bonuses
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express cardholders earn bonus points on more of the common day-to-day purchases, including streaming services and transit. Therefore, the Blue Cash Preferred continues to be one of the best credit cards for buying groceries. As mentioned previously, you earn 6% back on the first $6,000 spent annually on groceries, then 1%.
$250 Bonus: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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For rates and fees of The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
