Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Review

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is packed with features that provide real, tangible value for family life.

Source: Blue Cash Preferred

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is designed to be the perfect financial tool for the modern family, offering exceptional cash back rates on the very things your household spends the most on.

This card is a true powerhouse for earning rewards on your essential purchases. It provides a simple and effective way to get a significant amount of money back on your groceries, gas, and digital subscriptions. 

A Suite of Benefits for Your Household

  • An Exceptional 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets: This is the card’s headline feature and a huge benefit for any family. You earn a market-leading 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in spending at U.S. supermarkets each year. If you maximize this benefit, that’s $360 in cash back annually, just from buying groceries.
  • 6% Cash Back on U.S. Streaming Subscriptions: Keep the whole family entertained and get rewarded for it. You earn 6% cash back on a long list of popular U.S. streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, and many more.
  • A Broad 3% Cash Back on Transit and Gas: This is a fantastic category for busy families. You earn an unlimited 3% cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations and on a wide array of transit expenses, including rideshares (Uber/Lyft), parking, tolls, trains, and buses.
  • 1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases: For all other spending, from online shopping to utility bills, you will earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
  • A Generous Welcome Offer: New Card Members can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. This is a great way to offset the cost of a large family purchase.
  • A 0% Introductory APR Period: Get financial flexibility with a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. This is perfect for financing a new set of appliances, a family vacation, or paying down other balances without interest. After that, a variable APR applies.
  • Return Protection: This is an incredibly useful perk for any family. If you try to return an eligible item you bought with your card within 90 days and the merchant won’t take it back, American Express may refund the full purchase price, up to $300 per item.
  • Access to Amex Offers: Save even more money with Amex Offers. You can add valuable, targeted discounts and cash back offers from a wide range of popular retailers and restaurants directly to your card.
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you use your card to rent a car, you can be covered with secondary insurance for damage or theft.
  • Global Assist® Hotline: When you travel more than 100 miles from home, you have 24/7 access to medical, legal, and financial coordination and assistance services.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

This card is designed for U.S. residents with a solid credit history.

  • Credit Score: A good to excellent credit score is recommended (typically a FICO score of 670 or higher).
  • Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid U.S. address.
  • Identification: A valid Social Security Number is required.
  • Financial Standing: You will need to have a stable source of income.

How to Apply: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Source: Blue Cash Preferred

Applying for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a straightforward and consumer-friendly process.

  1. Visit the American Express Website: Navigate to the official product page for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card.
  2. Use the “Apply with Confidence” Feature: American Express offers a great tool that allows you to see if you will be approved for the card with no impact to your credit score. A hard inquiry is only performed if you are approved and you choose to accept the card.
  3. Complete the Application: Fill out the secure online application with your personal and financial information.
  4. Receive a Decision: You will often receive a decision within seconds.
  5. Accept the Card: If you are approved and happy with the terms, you can accept the card.

Frequently Asked Questions for Your Family

  • Do warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club count as U.S. supermarkets for the 6% cash back?
    No, this is an important distinction. The 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets does not apply to superstores like Walmart and Target or to warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. It applies to traditional supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods.
  • How do I get my cash back? Is it complicated?
    It’s very easy. Your cash back is earned in the form of “Reward Dollars.” Once your rewards balance reaches $25, you can redeem it at any time for a statement credit, which directly lowers your card balance.
  • Is the $95 annual fee (after the first year) worth it for my family?
    For most families, yes. You only need to spend about $132 per month at U.S. supermarkets to earn enough cash back to completely cover the annual fee. Most families spend far more than that on groceries, making the card highly profitable even with the fee.
  • Can I add my spouse or a teenager to the account?
    Yes, you can add additional Card Members to your account. Their spending will earn cash back for your rewards balance. This can be a great way to maximize your earnings and provide a card for a family member.
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