American Express
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Benefits, Credits & Annual Fee
$95 / yr (waived year 1) · Earns Cash Back
The Blue Cash Preferred is a cash-back card best suited for households that spend heavily on groceries, streaming, gas, and transit. It offers strong flat-rate rewards in those everyday categories for a $95 annual fee (waived the first year).
- 6%Groceries
- 6%Streaming
- 3%Gas
- $250Venue Collection
$370/yr in credits · $95 annual fee
Maintained by Creddy Editorial · Catalog checked Oct 7, 2026
Amex Blue Cash Preferred at a Glance: $95 Annual Fee, Issuer and Rewards
- Annual fee:
- $95 / yr (waived year 1)
- Issuer:
- American Express
- Rewards:
- Cash Back
- Credits:
- 2 recurring, up to $370 a year
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Earning Rates
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | 6% | |
| Groceries | 6% | |
| Transit | 3% | |
| Gas | 3% | |
| Everything else | 1% |
Who Should Get the Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred fits people who spend most on streaming (6%) and groceries (6%). Its $95 annual fee makes sense if the $370 a year in credits Creddy lists, plus what you earn, covers it with credits you would use anyway.
Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Worth the $95 Annual Fee?
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred costs $95 a year. Creddy lists 2 trackable credits worth up to $370 a year if you use every one, $275 more than the fee. You break even once you use about 26% of that credit value, so count only the credits you would use anyway.
Check enrollment requirements, merchant restrictions, reset timing and the issuer's current terms before applying.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Welcome Bonus
Up to $300 cash back as Reward Dollars
Offer history
- Sep 8Up to $300 cash back as Reward Dollars
- Feb 12$300 cash back
- Oct 16$250 cash back
Tracked since Oct 2024
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Statement Credits and When They Reset
- American Express Venue Collection Concessions Statement Credit$250 / yrTrackable
Get 10% back in statement credits on qualifying food and drinks at American Express Venue Collection stadiums and arenas. Enroll your card and use it for concessions purchases to get up to $250 per calendar year. One card per cardholder can enroll; the offer ends December 31, 2026.
Resets: Calendar yearChecked Sep 27, 2026 - Disney Streaming Statement Credit$10 / moTrackableEnrollment required
Get up to $10 back per month as a statement credit when you use your card on Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ at their U.S. websites, worth up to $120 per calendar year. Enrollment is required to activate this benefit.
Resets: MonthlyChecked Sep 26, 2026
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Travel Benefits
Travel Benefits
- Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee
Get the price difference back if a qualifying hotel room booked through Amex Travel is available online for less. Book on amextravel.com or in the Amex Travel App, then submit a matching lower rate. The hotel, room, dates, guests, rate type, and booking policies must match; prices are compared before taxes and fees.
Checked Sep 27, 2026
Rental Car
- Secondary Rental Car Insurance
When you pay for a rental car with this card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you get secondary coverage for theft or damage. This means your personal auto insurance pays first, and this benefit covers remaining eligible costs.
Checked May 22, 2026 - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Covers damage to or theft of a rental car when you pay the full rental cost with your card and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the counter. Coverage is secondary, meaning it kicks in after your personal auto insurance. Rentals in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand are not covered, and not all vehicle types qualify.
Checked Sep 25, 2026
More Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Benefits
Bonus Earnings
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. Gas Stations3%
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations. No spending cap applies to this category, so you earn 3% all year.
Checked Sep 30, 2026 - 3% Cash Back on Transit3%
Earn 3% cash back on a broad range of transit purchases, including taxis, rideshare apps, parking, tolls, trains, and buses. No spending cap applies to this category.
Checked Sep 30, 2026 - 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets6%
Earn 6% cash back on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars.
Checked Oct 2, 2026 - 6% Cash Back on Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions6%
Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming service subscriptions. This is one of the highest cash-back rates available on streaming, making it a natural fit if you subscribe to multiple services.
Checked May 22, 2026 - 1% Cash Back on Other Purchases1%
Any purchase that doesn't qualify for a higher bonus rate earns 1% cash back. This applies to everything outside the card's elevated categories, so no spending goes unrewarded.
Checked May 22, 2026
Purchase Protection
- Extended Warranty
Get up to one extra year of warranty coverage on eligible purchases. Pay with your card for an item with an original manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, then file a claim if a covered problem occurs. Coverage cannot exceed the amount charged to your card, $10,000 per item, or $50,000 per account each calendar year.
Checked Oct 7, 2026 - Purchase Protection
Get coverage if an eligible purchase is stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days of purchase. Pay with your card and submit a claim for a covered loss. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per purchase and $50,000 per account each calendar year.
Checked Oct 7, 2026 - Return Protection
If a seller won't take back an eligible item, return it to American Express for a refund of the purchase price, excluding shipping and handling. You have up to 90 days from purchase. Refunds are up to $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year, and the item must be bought entirely with your card.
Checked Oct 7, 2026
Concierge & Membership
- Global Assist Hotline
Access a 24/7 hotline for emergency coordination when you're traveling more than 100 miles from home, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage help. Call the hotline to connect with assistance services - note that costs charged by third-party providers are your responsibility.
Checked Sep 25, 2026
Entertainment
- American Express Venue Collection
The American Express Venue Collection provides cardholder benefits at participating stadiums and arenas. Use your U.S.-issued American Express card to access available benefits when attending an event. Benefits are offered only at participating venues and for select events.
Checked Sep 27, 2026 - Amex Presale Tickets and Amex Reserved Tickets
Get access to Amex Presale Tickets and Amex Reserved Tickets for select sports, music, and other events. Look for qualifying ticket offers and use your card when booking. Ticket access and any additional event perks are available only at select events.
Checked Sep 25, 2026
Fees & Miscellaneous
- Foreign Transaction Fee
A 2.7% fee is added to each transaction made in a foreign currency, calculated after conversion to U.S. dollars. This applies to purchases made abroad or with international merchants online, so this card is best suited for domestic spending.
Checked Sep 24, 2026 - Introductory Annual Fee Waiver$95
Pay a $0 annual fee for your first year with the Blue Cash Preferred Card. No action is needed to get the introductory fee. After the first year, the annual fee is $95.
Checked Sep 25, 2026 - Reward Dollars at Amazon.com Checkout
Use your cash back to pay for purchases at Amazon.com checkout. Select your available rewards as a payment option when checking out. Your cash back has the same value there as it does when redeemed for a statement credit.
Checked Sep 25, 2026
Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Other American Express Cards
- Amex Blue Cash Preferred (Morgan Stanley)$95 / yr (waived year 1)
- Amex Green$150 / yr
- Delta SkyMiles Gold$150 / yr (waived year 1)
- Hilton Surpass$150 / yr (waived year 1)
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Amex Blue Cash Preferred FAQs
Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred worth the annual fee?
Compare Amex Blue Cash Preferred's current annual fee with rewards and benefits you would actually use. Count credits at what they save you after eligibility, enrollment and extra spending costs, then compare the result with lower-fee alternatives. Include interest and other charges if you carry a balance.
Which benefits does Creddy list for Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Creddy's September 26, 2026 catalog lists Disney Streaming Statement Credit, 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets for Amex Blue Cash Preferred. Review the benefits and earning-rate tables for the conditions; confirm current coverage, enrollment and restrictions with American Express. This is a dated catalog summary, not certification that every listed benefit is currently available on your account.
What is the annual fee for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Creddy's catalog lists a $95 annual fee for Amex Blue Cash Preferred as checked on September 26, 2026. The catalog marks the first-year fee as waived; confirm the offer you receive. Confirm current pricing and any additional-card fees with American Express before applying or renewing.
Does the Amex Blue Cash Preferred come with a welcome bonus?
Welcome offers for Amex Blue Cash Preferred can change and may depend on your application or account history. Check American Express's current offer for the bonus amount, eligible spending, deadline and exclusions; a catalog entry does not guarantee an offer or your eligibility.
Who should get the Amex Blue Cash Preferred?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred may fit someone whose normal spending matches its eligible earning categories and who can use the benefits shown above. Compare the current fee, purchase restrictions and realistic redemption value with other cards before applying.
How does the Amex Blue Cash Preferred compare to other American Express cards?
Compare Amex Blue Cash Preferred with other American Express cards using annual fees, eligible earning rates and the benefits you would use. The card tables and issuer catalog help you compare conditions; headline multipliers alone do not establish the better card.