Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits guide
Key takeaways
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers cash-back rewards on common, everyday categories for a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee the first year).
- Along with a handful of entertainment, travel protection and insurance benefits, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred features an introductory APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers.
- Maximizing all this card has to offer comes down to hitting the welcome offer spending requirement, maxing out the yearly bonus category and familiarizing yourself with the various benefits available.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is considered one of the top cash back cards on the market today, and it’s easy to see why. Cardholders earn a whopping 6 percent back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1 percent back) as well as 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming services. They also earn 3 percent back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases and 1 percent back on everything else they buy.
A surprising number of perks are included, such as shopping benefits and protections for purchases you make with your card. This guide highlights the top benefits you’ll receive as a cardholder, as well as a few tips to maximize your Amex Blue Cash Preferred rewards.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred dining and entertainment benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred isn’t too heavy on benefits within dining and entertainment, but cardholders do get exclusive access to ticket presales and cardholder-only events through Amex Experiences. This can make it easier to get in the door for Broadway shows, concerts, sporting events and other popular activities.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred travel protections and benefits
Amex Blue Cash Preferred card protections and insurance benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred also offers cardholder benefits and protections that can help you save money or replace a lost or stolen item. These include:
Additional Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits
A final benefit to understand is this card’s introductory annual percentage rate (APR) offer. Once you’re approved, you’ll get an introductory 0 percent APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.74 percent to 29.74 percent. This temporary waiver of interest charges can make it easier for cardholders to make a large purchase and pay it off over time.
How to maximize the perks and benefits offered by the Amex Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred has an introductory $0 annual fee, after which you’ll pay $95 per year. You’ll also earn cash back rewards during this time, which can be worth hundreds of dollars over a year.
Still, there are other ways to make the most of your new card.
The bottom line
There are plenty of reasons to apply for the Blue Cash Preferred, including the amazing Blue Cash Preferred benefits you receive. Not only do you get the chance to earn a generous welcome offer and ongoing rewards, but you get to enjoy some travel perks and protections for your purchases. Plus, the Blue Cash Preferred is a solid cash back credit card.
That said, make sure you compare this card to other Amex cards (for example, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express) and top rewards credit cards from other issuers.
