American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review 2026

Best card for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services.

Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Good–Excellent credit — 670+ FICO typical; hard pull required

ClearValue Rating: 4.2 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)

Editorial3.6
Cost4.8
Value4.7
Access3.8

Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.

At a glance

Who American Express Blue Cash Preferred is best for

Families with significant grocery and streaming spend who can clear the low AF hurdle after year 1.

Pros

Cons

American Express Blue Cash Preferred requirements

Value at a glance

Year 1 valueOngoing value
$250 welcome bonus + first year annual fee waived ($0 yr 1) — lowest-risk trial of any card on this list6% on U.S. supermarkets ($6K/yr cap) + select streaming, 3% on U.S. gas + transit; $95 annual fee from year 2
Welcome spend: $3K in first 6 months; $95 fee from year 2 requires ~$130/month grocery spend to beat a 2% flat card

American Express Blue Cash Preferred alternatives

Chase Sapphire Preferred (Chase) — Regular travelers who want transferable points, strong dining rewards, and a manageable fee.
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
American Express Gold Card (American Express) — People who spend heavily on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and can use the annual credits.
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →
Chase Sapphire Reserve (Chase) — Frequent travelers who will use the $300 travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access regularly.
Read review Find your card type — 60-second quiz →

Bottom line

American Express Blue Cash Preferred — Best card for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services. Best for: Families with significant grocery and streaming spend who can clear the low AF hurdle after year 1.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.

Questions about American Express Blue Cash Preferred

Is American Express Blue Cash Preferred worth the $95 annual fee?

From year two onward, the $95 fee requires sufficient grocery and streaming spend to justify the premium. The 6% grocery rate earns $95 in rewards at roughly $1,584/year in U.S. supermarket spend — just over $130/month. Many households with meaningful grocery and streaming spend will exceed that threshold. Year one is free, making the trial low-risk.

How does the Amex Blue Cash Preferred 6% supermarket rate work?

The 6% applies to U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year ($500/month), then drops to 1%. The cap means heavy grocery spenders above $500/month will see lower effective rates on overage spend. The 6% rate applies to supermarkets only — warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) and superstores (Walmart, Target) do not qualify. Verify the current merchant categories at the American Express issuer page.

What streaming services earn 6% on Amex Blue Cash Preferred?

Select streaming services qualify for the 6% rate — historically this has included Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Apple TV+, and others. Eligible streaming services can change; verify the current list at the American Express issuer page before assuming a specific service qualifies.

Does Amex Blue Cash Preferred charge foreign transaction fees?

Yes — it charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on purchases outside the U.S. It's primarily a domestic card optimized for grocery and streaming categories. For international travel purchases, a no-FX-fee card is a better fit.

How we rate

Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).

Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →

Related guides

Advertiser disclosure: some links are from our partners — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Rankings and editorial assessments are independent of compensation.