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PROGRAMME PROFILE
American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card Guide
American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a U.S. cash-back credit card that pays 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a year in purchases, 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations, and 1% on other eligible purchases. [1] It charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 a year. [1]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- The 6% rate at U.S. supermarkets applies to up to $6,000 per year in purchases; spending above that in the category earns 1%. [1]
- Select U.S. streaming subscriptions earn 6%, transit and U.S. gas stations earn 3%, and other eligible purchases earn 1%. [1]
- The annual fee is $0 for the first year and $95 after that. [1]
- Cash back is received in Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit. [1]
- Transactions made abroad carry a 2.7% foreign transaction fee after conversion to U.S. dollars. [1]
How much cash back does the Blue Cash Preferred® Card pay?
Earning rates as of 18 October 2026: [1]
| Purchase category | Cash back | Conditions stated |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. supermarkets | 6% | On up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% |
| Select U.S. streaming subscriptions | 6% | Select U.S. streaming subscriptions |
| Transit | 3% | Taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more |
| U.S. gas stations | 3% | Eligible purchases |
| Other eligible purchases | 1% | Other eligible purchases |
The 6% rate applies to eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases; above that, purchases in the category earn 1%. [1]
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. [1] Reward Dollars can also be applied at checkout on Amazon.com, where American Express says the cash back has the same value as a statement credit redemption. [1]
American Express describes the main difference between the Blue Cash Preferred® Card and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card as the rewards structure and the annual fee. [1]
What does the Blue Cash Preferred® Card cost?
The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 per year. [1] The card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% on each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars. [1]
A balance transfer can be requested within the first 60 days of account opening, and fees apply. [1] If an application is approved and the applicant is eligible, American Express says the card number can be used online and through digital wallets, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal and Amazon Pay. [1]
Which credits and protections come with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card?
Disney Streaming Credit. The card offers a $120 Disney Streaming Credit, paid as up to $10 back per month as a statement credit when the enrolled card is used for a subscription, including a bundle subscription, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites, with no minimum purchase requirement; the subscription is subject to auto-renewal. [1]
Everyday and travel benefits. Card members can add Amex Offers to the card to earn extra rewards at selected brands, use Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® for selected events, while supplies last and with not all seats offered, and use Send & Split® to send money and split purchases through Venmo and PayPal with enrollment required. [1]
Insurance and protection. When the entire rental is reserved and paid for with an eligible card and the collision damage waiver is declined at the counter, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance provides secondary coverage for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory; it does not include liability coverage, not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and it is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy and New Zealand. [1] Purchase Protection covers eligible purchases for up to 90 days from the purchase date if they are stolen or accidentally damaged, up to $1,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. [1] Return Protection allows eligible purchases to be returned to American Express if the seller will not take them back, up to 90 days from the purchase date, for up to $300 per item and a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per card account, for purchases made in the U.S. or its territories. [1] Extended Warranty can add up to one extra year to an original manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, up to the amount charged to the card and to a maximum of $10,000, not exceeding $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. [1] The Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination when travelling more than 100 miles from home, and card members are responsible for costs charged by third-party service providers. [1]
Exceptions and limits
- Category geography. The 6% rates are described for U.S. supermarkets and select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and the 3% gas rate for U.S. gas stations. Transit earns 3% and is described as taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. Other eligible purchases earn 1%. [1]
- Spend cap. The 6% supermarket rate runs only to $6,000 per year in purchases, after which that category earns 1%. [1]
- Spending abroad. A 2.7% foreign transaction fee applies to each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars. [1]
- Streaming credit. The Disney Streaming Credit pays up to $10 per month as a statement credit, requires enrollment and a subscription bought at one of the three listed U.S. websites, and the subscription is subject to auto-renewal. [1]
- Rental cover. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance is secondary coverage without liability cover, excludes some vehicle types and rentals, is unavailable for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy and New Zealand, and requires the rental to be reserved and paid for with an eligible card plus a declined collision damage waiver. [1]
- Protection ceilings. Purchase Protection, Return Protection and Extended Warranty are each capped per item or per purchase and per card member account per calendar year, and Return Protection applies only to purchases made in the U.S. or its territories. [1]
Frequently asked questions
How much is the annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card?
The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and costs $95 per year after that. [1]
How much cash back does the card pay at U.S. supermarkets?
It pays 6% cash back on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% above that amount. [1]
Does the Blue Cash Preferred® Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. American Express states a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% on each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars. [1]
How is the cash back paid out?
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit, and Reward Dollars have the same value when used at checkout on Amazon.com. [1]
How does it differ from the Blue Cash Everyday® Card?
American Express describes the main difference between the two cards as the rewards structure and the annual fee. [1]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It covers the U.S. version of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card only; the Blue Cash Everyday® Card, other American Express consumer and business cards, and American Express cards issued in other countries are not covered here. General definitions are collected in the glossary.
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card page and card FAQ, checked 18 October 2026
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