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The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets — the highest grocery reward rate of any widely available credit card. For a family that spends significantly on food and streaming, this card frequently pays for itself several times over. Here’s everything you need to know.
Blue Cash Preferred: Key Details
- Annual Fee: $0 first year, then $95
- Rewards: 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%); 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit; 1% on other purchases
- Sign-Up Bonus: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in first 6 months
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; then 18.74%–29.74% variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7%
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)
The 6% Grocery Rate: How Much Will You Actually Earn?
The math depends on your grocery spending. U.S. supermarkets include traditional grocery chains (Stop & Shop, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Publix). Warehouse clubs (Costco, BJ’s, Sam’s Club) and superstores (Walmart, Target) do not qualify.
Calculation examples:
- $300/month in groceries: $216/year in 6% cash back
- $500/month in groceries: $360/year
- $800/month in groceries (family): $576/year (hitting the $6,000/year cap at $500/month)
After the $95 annual fee, net values are $121, $265, and $481 respectively. Against the no-fee Blue Cash Everyday’s 3% rate, the Preferred earns an extra $15–$30/month for heavy grocery shoppers — well above the $95 fee in most cases.
The 6% Streaming Bonus
Select U.S. streaming services earning 6%:
- Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+
- Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM
- Amazon Prime Video (billed separately), Paramount+, Peacock
A household paying $100/month in streaming earns $72/year at 6% — a meaningful contribution toward the annual fee.
The 3% Gas and Transit Rate
Gas stations and transit (including buses, taxis, rideshares, trains, tolls, and parking) earn 3% cash back. For commuters using rideshare or public transit, this compounds quickly. A $150/month commuting expense earns $54/year at 3%.
How Cash Back Is Delivered
Cash back comes as Reward Dollars (statement credits). Redeem in any amount once you have $25 or more accumulated. No expiration while the account is active.
Note: Amex Reward Dollars are not transferable to airline or hotel partners — this is a pure cash-back card, unlike Amex cards earning Membership Rewards points.
Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred | Blue Cash Everyday |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 (waived year 1) | $0 |
| U.S. Supermarkets | 6% (up to $6,000/yr) | 3% (up to $6,000/yr) |
| Streaming | 6% | 3% |
| Gas/Transit | 3% | 3% |
| Break-Even Grocery Spend | ~$158/month | N/A ($0 fee) |
The break-even point is about $158/month in grocery spending. If you spend more than that at supermarkets, the Preferred earns more net cash back than the no-fee Everyday.
Amex Acceptance Note
American Express has historically been accepted at fewer merchants than Visa or Mastercard, particularly at smaller businesses and internationally. In 2025, U.S. Amex acceptance is near-universal at supermarkets, streaming services, and gas stations — the categories this card targets. For international use, carry a Visa or Mastercard backup given the 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Who This Card Is For
The Blue Cash Preferred is built for households that:
- Spend $300+/month at qualifying U.S. supermarkets
- Pay for multiple streaming services
- Have regular gas or transit expenses
- Aren’t planning heavy international travel (FX fees apply)
Our Verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
For grocery-heavy households, the Blue Cash Preferred is one of the most profitable cash-back cards available, period. The 6% grocery rate with a $6,000/year cap covers most families’ full grocery budget. Combined with the streaming bonus, it often earns enough in the first few months to cover the annual fee for the year. Our top pick for families who meal-plan, cook at home, and pay for streaming.