American Express Blue Cash Preferred Walmart Card Review and Guide

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The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Walmart Card is a top choice for those who want to earn cash back on their daily purchases. It offers a generous 6% cash back on groceries, including Walmart purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

You can earn 3% cash back on gas and 1% cash back on other purchases, making it a versatile option for everyday expenses. The card also comes with a $250 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, which can help offset the annual fee of $95.

One of the standout features of this card is its no-foreign-transaction-fee policy, making it a great choice for international travel. You can also use the card's rewards to pay for purchases or get a statement credit, giving you flexibility and control over your rewards.

Card Details

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card is a top-notch choice for those who spend a lot on groceries, gas, and transit. The card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases.

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To be eligible for this card, you'll need a Good/Excellent credit score, which is defined as 670-850.

One of the standout features of this card is its intro APR, which is 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.

The card's APR is a variable 18.24%-29.24%.

Here are the key details of the card:

  • Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • APR: 18.24%-29.24% Variable
  • Reward Rate: 1%-6%
  • Recommended Credit: 670-850

This card also offers a welcome offer of a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

Rewards and Earnings

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card offers a range of rewards and earnings that make it a great choice for those who spend a lot on groceries, streaming services, and gas.

You can earn 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases, up to $6,000 a year, which is a significant amount of money - $360 back in your pocket every year on your weekly groceries. This rate is only triggered in supermarkets, so make sure to use your card at eligible stores like Kroger or Safeway.

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Purchases made at stores like Walmart and Target only earn 1% back on every purchase, including groceries. To maximize the 6% bonus, focus on making purchases at eligible U.S. stores.

You'll also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Hulu, which is a nice perk for those who binge-watch their favorite shows. This won't make up a huge chunk of your total cash back, but it's a great bonus nonetheless.

Another highlight of the Blue Cash Preferred's earning rates is its 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, with no cap on the earnings. The more you use your car, the train, the ferry, or pay for parking, the more you'll get back.

Here's a breakdown of the card's earning rates:

  • 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 a year)
  • 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations
  • 1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Annual Fees

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card charges an annual fee, which is a significant consideration for cardholders.

If you don't want to pay an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option, as it has no annual fee.

To offset the annual fee of the Blue Cash Preferred card, you'll need to spend over $1,500 at U.S. supermarkets in a year.

Many families easily spend $300, $400, or even $500 or more per month at supermarkets, making it relatively easy to offset the annual fee.

Benefits and Perks

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The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card offers some nice benefits and perks, even if it's not packed with them. It's got the typical Amex benefits like extended warranties, rental car insurance, Global Assist, and purchase protection.

You'll also get cardholders-only access to Amex-affiliated events. These benefits are standard across many Amex cards, but it's good to know they're included here too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the card's value comes from its earning power, not from a bunch of extra perks. So, if you're looking for a card with a lot of bells and whistles, this might not be the best choice.

Here are the benefits and perks you can expect:

  • Extended warranties
  • Rental car insurance
  • Global Assist
  • Purchase protection
  • Cardholders-only access to Amex-affiliated events

It's worth noting that the card's travel protection benefits are competitive with other cashback credit cards, but it's not a travel rewards card by any stretch.

Redeeming Rewards

You earn cash back rewards with the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com. This is a cash-back credit card, not a travel rewards card.

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The rewards can't be transferred to airline partners or redeemed for travel rewards, so if you're looking for a travel rewards credit card, you might want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture instead.

You can redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit, which is a great way to offset your purchases and lower your balance.

What Is the Difference Between Everyday and Formal Language

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday cards may seem similar, but they have some key differences. The Blue Cash Preferred card has an annual fee, while the Blue Cash Everyday card does not.

One of the main differences between the two cards is the welcome bonus offer. The Blue Cash Preferred card offers a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months, while the Blue Cash Everyday card offers a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the same time frame.

Credit: youtube.com, American Express Gold vs. Blue Cash Preferred

The rewards structure is also different between the two cards. The Blue Cash Preferred card offers 6% cash back at participating U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming services, while the Blue Cash Everyday card offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' rewards structures:

The Blue Cash Preferred card also has a longer introductory 0% APR period, at 12 months, compared to the Blue Cash Everyday card's 15 months.

Amex and Card Bonus

The Amex and Card Bonus section is a crucial part of the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Walmart experience. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a high-powered cash back card that offers a generous welcome bonus offer. You can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.

This bonus is effectively eliminating the out-of-pocket costs of the card for over two years, or even three if you include the $0 annual fee in the first year. The best part of cash back is that you have the freedom to use it when and how you want.

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The welcome bonus is not the only perk of the Blue Cash Preferred Card. It also earns 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more, with no limit. Additionally, it earns 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations, making it an excellent supplement to your core Amex travel card portfolio.

Here's a breakdown of the bonus categories offered by the Blue Cash Preferred Card:

  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
  • Unlimited 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more (no limit)
  • Unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
  • 1% cash back on other purchases (no limit)

The annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred Card is $0 for the first year, then $95 thereafter. This makes it a bargain, especially considering the high-powered cash back rewards and generous welcome bonus offer.

Cons

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Walmart card has some downsides to consider. The intro offer isn't the most lucrative, which might be a disappointment for some.

If you're planning to use the card frequently, be aware that there's an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Walmart count for Blue Cash Preferred?

No, Walmart does not qualify as a supermarket for Blue Cash Preferred rewards. Big-box stores with grocery sections, like Walmart, are excluded from earning rewards on the Blue Cash Preferred Card.

Teresa Halvorson

Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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