Blue Cash Preferred®: Up to 6% Cashback on Groceries

6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year – worth up to $360 annually, enough to offset the $95 annual fee.

Olena
By Olena | May 31, 2026 at 7:58 PM EST

The Bottom Line

4.6
BIG4CREDIT RANKING Our 5-star rating is based on Big4credit’s independent, data-driven scoring system. Each card is evaluated across multiple weighted categories – including rewards, fees, welcome offers, 0% intro APR, ongoing APR, perks, benefits, and protections. Ratings are determined solely by our research and analysis and are never influenced by card issuers or advertisers. Read about our ranking system in the Credit Card Ranking & Methodology section.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred® is one of the best credit cards for groceries in terms of pure cash back percentage. It offers 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 each year, which often outperforms no-fee grocery cards if you shop frequently. However, it does have $95 annual fee after the first year, so it’s most valuable if your grocery spending plus other bonus categories earns enough back to justify that fee.
Blue Cash Preferred®
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Blue Cash Preferred®
Annual fee:   $95, fee waived for the first year

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.74% Variable APR

Credit Score

670-850 (Good/Excellent)

Rewards Earn 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year. Additionally, earn 6% cashback on U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back on local transit and U.S. gas stations, plus 1% on all other purchases.

1% - 6% Cashback

Welcome Offer Earn a $300 bonus after spending $3,000 in the first six months.

$300

Welcome Offer

Earn a 300 bonus after spending $3,000 in the first six months.

Rewards

  • 6% Cashback:
    • U.S. Supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year.
    • U.S. Streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cashback:
    • Local Transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.
    • U.S. Gas Stations.
  • 1% Cashback on all other purchases.

Redemption Options

Redeem cashback as a statement credit or use it at Amazon.com checkout.

Fees and APR

  • Annual Fee: $95, fee waived for the first year.
  • 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers: Enjoy 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening. To qualify for the balance transfer offer, transfers must be completed within the first 60 days.
  • Regular APR: After the introductory period, a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.74% applies to purchases and balance transfers.
  • Balance Transfer Fees: $5 or 3% of each transfer amount, whichever is greater.
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.

Statement Credits

$120 Disney Streaming Credit: If you already pay for Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+, this credit can cover up to $120 per year in streaming costs.

Travel Protections

  • Car Rental Coverage (secondary): Provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage when you decline the rental company’s coverage and pay for the rental in full with your card. Coverage is secondary in the U.S. to your personal insurance.
  • Global Assist® Hotline: Provides 24/7 assistance while traveling more than 100 miles from home, including help with medical, legal, and travel emergencies. This service helps connect you to local resources, but you are responsible for any costs charged by third-party providers.

Purchase Protections

  • Purchase Protection: Covers new purchases for 90 days against damage or theft, up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
  • Extended Warranty: Extends warranty coverage by one additional year on original eligible warranties of five years or less, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
  • Return Protection: Reimburses for eligible items that the store won’t take back within 90 days of purchase, up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year.

Convenience Features

  • Send & Split®: If you often split purchases with friends or family, Send & Split® lets you request repayments through Venmo or PayPal directly from the Amex app while still earning rewards on the full purchase. Repayments are applied as statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • Additional Cards: Adding authorized users lets you earn cashback on their purchases at the same rates, helping households or couples pool spending and earn rewards faster. Additional cards are free and earn rewards just like the primary card.

Nice Extras

Events With Amex™: If you attend concerts, sports, or live events, Events with Amex™ can offer presale access and special ticket opportunities for select events. Availability varies by location and event.

Shopping & Savings

Amex Offers: Amex Offers lets you add targeted merchant discounts to your card and earn statement credits or bonus rewards on qualifying purchases. Offers vary by card and availability. Enrollment required.

Buy Now, Pay Later Options

Plan It®: Plan It® lets you split eligible purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee while still earning rewards on the original purchase.

Terms and Conditions

Click Apply Now to review the terms and conditions and see if you’re approved, with no impact to your credit score.

  • Blue Cash Everyday®: If you are not sure the annual fee is worth it and want similar cashback rewards without paying an annual fee? 👉 Take a look at Blue Cash Everyday® before you decide.

EarnSmart Rewards Strategy

  • Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (activation required), adding bonus rewards on categories such as Amazon, dining, gas/EV charging stations, and department stores. 👉 Learn more about Freedom Flex®.
  • Discover it®: Adds a second rotating 5% category calendar, creating additional opportunities to earn elevated rewards throughout the year. 👉 Learn more about Discover it®.
  • Altitude® Connect: Complements Blue Cash Preferred® with elevated rewards on travel, gas, and EV charging purchases. 👉 Learn more about Altitude® Connect.

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