The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card is a great choice for anyone who spends a lot on groceries, offering 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets.
You can earn up to $6,000 in cash back per year at these stores, which is a significant amount.
Grocery stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Walmart are all eligible for the 6% cash back rate.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is a top-notch card for military personnel and their spouses. It's an excellent supplement to your core Amex travel card portfolio.
You can earn 6% cash back on your most basic life purchases of online streaming and groceries. No rotating categories to track or sign up for, just straightforward rewards.
The annual fee is waived for military servicemembers, making it an even sweeter deal. You can learn how to apply for the card or see other top cash back options for military.
This card offers one of the highest welcome bonus offers ever seen, so it's worth considering. You can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
The Blue Cash Preferred makes an excellent choice for families and individuals who spend heavily on groceries, with 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets. This can quickly offset the $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
You can also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, including the Disney Bundle. This makes it an excellent option for entertainment enthusiasts.
The 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months provides added value for those looking to finance larger purchases over time without incurring interest charges. This can be particularly beneficial for new cardholders planning significant purchases in the first year.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred offers purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection, adding further value for cardholders. These benefits can provide peace of mind when making purchases, knowing that there is a layer of protection against damage or theft.
Here are some key benefits of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred:
- 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets and select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 6% cash back on gas stations
- $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- Purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection
Grocery Purchases
The Blue Cash Preferred card offers a generous reward rate for grocery purchases. You can earn 6% back on your first $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets, which translates to $360 in cash back each year.
To maximize this bonus, make sure to shop at eligible U.S. stores, as purchases made at stores like Walmart and Target only earn 1% back.
Here's a breakdown of the reward rates for grocery purchases:
After reaching the annual spending limit, you'll earn 1% back on all eligible purchases.
Grocery Purchases
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers a great rewards rate on grocery purchases. You can earn 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases.
This means that if you spend the full $6,000, you'll earn $360 in cash back each year. However, it's worth noting that purchases made at stores like Walmart and Target only earn 1% back on every purchase.
To maximize your rewards, make sure to buy your groceries at eligible U.S. stores.
Redeeming Purchase Rewards
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com.
You can't transfer these rewards to airline partners or redeem them for travel rewards, so if you're looking for a travel rewards credit card, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture instead.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card's rewards can be redeemed at Amazon.com, making it a convenient option for online shoppers.
Additional Benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
One of the benefits is that it has several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
You can earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
The card has several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
Additional benefits include several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has several complimentary benefits that can save you money when shopping and traveling.
Cost and Value
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card's annual fee is worth considering, especially since it can be offset by the card's rewards. The card has a $0 intro annual fee the first year, making it a great option for those who want to try it out without committing to the full annual fee.
If you spend $500 per month on groceries, you could earn $360 per year in cash back, which is a significant amount that can help offset the annual fee. Additionally, the card's 6% cash back on groceries and other everyday purchases can quickly add up to save you money.
The card's rewards structure is designed to provide tangible value for everyday purchases, making it a great choice for those who want to maximize their cash back earnings.
Disadvantages of the
The Blue Cash Preferred card has a spending cap of $6,000 on U.S. supermarkets, which means you can only earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent, resulting in $360 annually.
This cap is a significant drawback, especially if you spend more than $500 on groceries per month. In that case, another card with a lower earning rate on groceries might be a better option.
If you plan to use the card abroad or charge in currencies other than the US dollar, you'll be charged a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. This is something to consider if you're planning a trip abroad.
The card also has limited redemption options, but this shouldn't be a surprise given the card's name clearly calls out that it's for those who prefer cash back. You can use the Rewards Dollars earned with this card toward statement credits that offset your balance.
The annual fee for this card is $95, which is waived for the first year. While you can easily make up for this with the earnings and benefits, it's worth noting that there are no annual fee credit cards that offer comparable earning rates.
Here are some US supermarkets where you can get 6% cash back:
- Safeway
- Gristedes
- Foodtown
- Foodland
- Publix
- Meijer
- Shoprite
- Stop and Shop
- Vons
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie
- Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect
- Military Commissaries on base
6 Percent
The 6% cash back rate on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card is a game-changer for frequent grocery shoppers. If you spend $500 per month on groceries, you could earn $360 per year in cash back.
Some US supermarkets where you can get 6% cash back include Safeway, Gristedes, and Publix. This list is not exhaustive, but it gives you an idea of the types of stores that qualify.
Shopping at superstores like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, or warehouse clubs like BJ's, Costco, and Sam's Club, does not earn 6% cash back. These stores are not considered supermarkets according to Amex.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). This is among the highest in the industry, making it an excellent choice for families and individuals who spend a significant portion of their budget on groceries.
Here are some specific examples of supermarkets that qualify for 6% cash back:
- Safeway
- Gristedes
- Foodtown
- Foodland
- Publix
- Meijer
- Shoprite
- Stop and Shop
- Vons
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie
- Online supermarkets such as FreshDirect
- Military Commissaries on base
Frequently Asked Questions
What supermarkets does Amex Blue Cash Preferred cover?
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card offers 6% cash back at participating supermarkets, including ALDI, FreshDirect, Gelson's, Kings Food Markets, Meijer, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, and Trader Joe's. Check your card benefits for specific terms and conditions.
What grocery stores accept American Express?
American Express is accepted at various grocery stores, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Safeway, Winn-Dixie, ALDI, and Publix. However, it's always a good idea to call ahead and confirm acceptance before your visit.
Does Blue Cash Preferred work at Walmart?
No, Blue Cash Preferred rewards do not apply at big-box stores with grocery sections like Walmart. Check the card's terms for details on where rewards are accepted.
Sources
- https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-blue-cash-preferred-military/
- https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/amex-blue-cash-preferred-benefits-perks/
- https://www.joinkudos.com/blog/amex-blue-cash-preferred-card-review
- https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/cnn-underscored/reviews/amex-blue-cash-preferred
- https://johnnyjet.com/blue-cash-preferred-categories/
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