American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

A top cash back card for families: 6% at US supermarkets up to $6,000 a year and 3% on gas and transit, for $95.

Para kanino ito

This card is for you if groceries are a big line in your budget. You earn 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 a year, 6% on select US streaming, 3% on transit and US gas stations, and 1% on everything else. The annual fee is $95. If you spend around $100 a week on groceries, the 6% alone can cover the fee several times over.

Sino ang dapat lumaktaw dito

Skip it if your grocery spending is light, because the Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% at supermarkets with no annual fee. Skip it if you mostly shop at warehouse clubs or superstores, which usually don't count as supermarkets. And if you carry a balance, focus on paying it down first, since interest will cancel out the cash back.

Paano ito masusulit

Use this card for every supermarket trip until you reach the $6,000 yearly cap, then decide whether another card earns more for the rest of the year. Move your streaming subscriptions that qualify onto it to earn 6%. Use it for gas and transit too. Put other purchases on a flat 2% card so you're never stuck at 1%. A quick check: if you spend less than about $60 a week at supermarkets, run the numbers against the no-fee Blue Cash Everyday.

Pros

• 6% at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year)
• 6% on select US streaming
• 3% on transit and US gas
• Simple cash back, no points to manage
• 0% intro APR for up to 18 months on purchases and balance transfers

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Supermarket cap of $6,000 a year
• Only 1% on everything else
• Warehouse clubs and superstores usually don't count

Mga madalas itanong

Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday?

Do the math on your grocery spending. The Preferred earns 6% at US supermarkets for $95 a year; the Everyday earns 3% with no fee. The Preferred usually wins if you spend more than about $3,200 a year at supermarkets.

Does Costco count as a supermarket for the Blue Cash Preferred?

Warehouse clubs and superstores usually don't count. Check American Express's terms for the current list.

What happens after you hit the $6,000 supermarket cap?

Supermarket purchases earn 1% for the rest of the year.

Is the Blue Cash Preferred good for gas?

Yes. It earns 3% at US gas stations.