6 Reasons You Need the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Here’s a fantastic credit card my wife and I use to save ourselves hundreds of dollars each year.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent product for several types of everyday expenses — especially right now. It helps keep our costs down in the US supermarket and streaming categories.

And saving money is vital right now.

You receive the card’s cashback as Amex “Reward Dollars.” You can apply Rewards Dollars toward statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. I like cash back because, to paraphrase Yogi Berra in a certain commercial, it’s just as good as money. 😉

Because the Blue Cash Preferred Card offers a couple of great 6% cashback categories, I figured we’d use that same figure — and discuss six reasons you need this credit card.

1. 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the credit card my wife and I use for our supermarket purchases. And it always tops this blog’s list of best grocery (and US supermarket) store credit cards.

Why?

The card awards 6% cash back on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets. That’s capped at $360 back (or $6,000 in eligible purchases) each calendar year.

Once you hit $6,000 in spending, that rate drops down to 1%. That’s when you switch to something like the Amex Gold Card for its 4X on US supermarket purchases (up to $25,000 in annual spending, then 1X) or even just another good cashback card.

2. 6% Cash Back on US Streaming Services

With so many people cutting the cable cord, streaming credits and bonuses are critical. Even for those of us who still have cable or satellite, there’s plenty of great programming available on streaming services. (Just ask my Disney+ loving toddler!)

And doesn’t it seem like there’s a new streaming service popping up every darn week?!

That’s where the Blue Cash Preferred Card comes in. The card awards 6% cash back on purchases made with select U.S. streaming providers. (Here’s a list of eligible providers, per Amex.)

3. 3% Cash Back at U.S. Gas Stations

Fill ‘er up! And while you’re waiting, treat yourself to a beverage and some snacks, too! The Blue Cash Preferred Card awards 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.

Stack that with a fuel rewards program — and life’s pretty good, my friend

4. 3% Cash Back on Ground Transit

Rideshares, trains, parking, oh my! You’ll get 3% back on those purchases, too.

So this is an excellent option for Ubers, Lyfts, tolls, buses, parking, and more!

5. The Welcome Bonus!

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six (6) months of being approved. Terms apply.

6. Introductory APR

I know some people who live for 0% interest offers. If you’re one of them, consider that the Blue Cash Preferred Card card currently offers a0% introductory APR for the first 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, the APR will be 19.24% to 29.99%, based on creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. (See Rates and Fees.)

“Yeah, But What About the Annual Fee?!”

The Blue Cash Preferred Card carries a $0 intro annual fee for the first year then $95. (See Rates and Fees.) If you spend $1600 total on groceries and streaming, the annual fee pays for itself. And everything after that is gravy.

So even if you annually max out the 6% US supermarket benefit and put nothing else on the card (and why would do that?!), you’re still $265 ahead—every year.

But you’ll put your streaming charges, gas station purchases, and maybe some Lyfts or Ubers on the card, too. All that adds up during the year.

Heck, the welcome bonus covers multiples of the annual fee.

And keep in mind that’s only when it hits starting the second year of card membership.

See how that annual fee isn’t such a concern? (See Rates and Fees.)

“But I’d Rather Earn Points for Travel!”

I hear you. I use the American Express® Gold Card (4X at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X
Includes takeout and delivery in the U.S) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (3X) for dining.

But saving 6% on groceries and streaming is a great way to earn money that can be saved or invested. Or buy travel in the future.

Final Approach

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is such a viable card for several ordinary, everyday expenses. While it carries a $95 fee, that’s easily offset by taking advantage of the card’s 6% and 3% bonus categories.

For rates and fees of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this link.