6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets — highest grocery rate on any personal card.
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Good–Excellent credit — 700+ FICO typical; hard pull required
ClearValue Rating: 3.7 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)
Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
Households spending $1,600+ per year at U.S. supermarkets where the 6% rate more than covers the $95 annual fee.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred carries a $95 annual fee. It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming services, 3% on gas stations and transit, and 1% elsewhere. A 2.7% foreign transaction fee applies.
| Year 1 value | Ongoing value |
|---|---|
| $250 welcome offer (verify spend requirement at americanexpress.com) + 6% at U.S. supermarkets; net after $95 fee | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K/yr), 6% on select U.S. streaming, 3% gas + transit, 1% elsewhere; $95 annual fee |
| 6% grocery rate capped at $6,000/year; 1% after cap — verify at americanexpress.com | |
American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card — 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets — highest grocery rate on any personal card. Best for: Households spending $1,600+ per year at U.S. supermarkets where the 6% rate more than covers the $95 annual fee.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
The card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 in supermarket purchases per year. After the $6,000 cap, the rate drops to 1%. It also earns 6% on select U.S. streaming services and 3% on transit and gas. Per American Express issuer terms, verified June 2026. Verify current earn rates and caps at americanexpress.com before applying.
Blue Cash Preferred (6%, $95 fee) outperforms Blue Cash Everyday (3%, no fee) at roughly $1,583/year in U.S. supermarket spend — the extra 3% covers the $95 fee at that threshold. If your annual grocery spend exceeds that level, Preferred typically returns more. Below that level, Everyday's no-fee structure wins. Do your own annual spend math with current rates verified at americanexpress.com.
No. ClearValue Lending is not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. This review presents publicly available editorial information about the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card. The card is issued and operated by American Express National Bank. Reward rates, caps, fees, and terms are determined solely by American Express and may change — verify current terms at americanexpress.com before applying.
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%).
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