The Blue Cash Preferred credit card is a popular choice for those who want to earn cash back on their everyday purchases. You can earn 6% cash back on groceries, 3% on gas, and 1% on everything else.
To qualify for the Blue Cash Preferred, you'll need a good credit score, which is typically 690 or higher. This is based on the credit scoring model used by American Express.
Having a high credit score can also help you get approved for other American Express cards, such as the Blue Cash Everyday. This card offers a lower cash back rate, but still provides rewards on gas and groceries.
Features & Benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred credit card offers a range of features and benefits that can help you manage your finances and enjoy rewards. You can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
This card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. It's suitable for everyday spending, and you can earn rewards on various purchases. You'll need a good to excellent credit score, which is typically 670-850.
One of the key benefits of this card is the extended warranty coverage, which extends the manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases by up to an additional year. You can also enjoy purchase protection, which covers items purchased with your card in the last 90 days but that are damaged, stolen, or lost.
The card also offers return protection, which covers items purchased in the last 90 days for which the merchant won't accept a return. You can be refunded for the full purchase price (excluding shipping and handling costs) up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per year.
In terms of security, the Blue Cash Preferred card features EMV Chip Enabled, Fraud Monitoring, Zero Liability, and Alerts. You can also use contactless payments, such as Tap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Fitbit Pay.
American Express Card Options
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers a welcome offer of earning a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
My own expenses, including a cable bill and grocery bill of over $700 per month, make it easy to reach the $3,000 hurdle in a short amount of time.
You can also pay for various bills, such as gas, department stores, restaurants, and utility bills, with a credit card to help you meet the spending requirement.
American Express Alternatives
If you're looking for alternatives to American Express, consider Discover it Cash Back, which offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Citi Double Cash Card is another option, providing 2% cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories or spending limits.
Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Barclays Arrival Plus has a 70,000-mile sign-up bonus, and you can earn 2X miles on all purchases, with no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card offers a one-time $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months, and you can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
American Express Card No Annual Fee
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a great option if you're looking for a no-annual-fee card. It offers 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year in each category, and 1% on all other purchases.
This card also comes with a welcome offer of earning a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. The cashback rewards are received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card is a solid choice if you want to avoid annual fees, but keep in mind that its rewards rate is lower compared to other American Express cards.
American Express Welcome Offer & Rewards
The American Express Welcome Offer & Rewards is a great way to get started with your new credit card. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
You can easily reach the $3,000 hurdle with regular expenses like my cable bill and grocery bill, which total over $700 per month. Adding in gas, department stores, restaurants, and other utility bills, you'll likely hit the mark in no time.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and 12 months on balance transfers, making it a great option for those who need some breathing room.
Here's a breakdown of the welcome offer and rewards program:
The Blue Cash Everyday Card also offers a lower annual fee of $0, making it a great option for those who want to earn cash back without paying an annual fee.
Rewards dollars from American Express come in membership rewards dollars and never expire as long as your account is in good standing. You can redeem them as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Introduction
The Blue Cash Preferred credit card is a great option for those who want to earn substantial cash back on daily purchases. It's a top choice for maximizing cash back rewards on everyday expenses.
This card offers an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, which can add up quickly for families and individuals who spend heavily on groceries. The 6% cash back rate applies to the first $6,000 spent per year, after which it drops to 1%.
The card also provides 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit expenses, making it a valuable option for those who commute or travel frequently.
Rewards and Earning
The Blue Cash Preferred credit card offers an impressive rewards program that can help you earn cash back on your everyday spending. You can earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, U.S. supermarkets, transit, and gas stations.
The card's earning rates are as follows:
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on transit (parking, tolls, ride-hailing apps, subway, etc.)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back everywhere else
This means that if you spend $50 weekly at U.S. supermarkets, you can earn $156 in cash back every year. In fact, spending $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months can earn you a $250 statement credit.
You can redeem your cash back rewards as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. The rewards never expire as long as your account is in good standing.
Card Details and Pricing
The Blue Cash Preferred credit card has some key pricing details to consider. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and 12 months on balance transfers from the account opening date.
After the intro rate expires, the variable ongoing APR is 18.24% – 29.24% based on your credit history. This means that if you don't pay off your balance in full each month, you'll be charged interest on your outstanding balance.
The Blue Cash Preferred card also has a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars. This can add up quickly if you use your card for international travel or purchases.
You'll also be charged up to $40 for late payment and returned payment fees. These fees are standard for most credit cards, so it's essential to make your payments on time.
The annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred card is $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. This fee is waived for the first year, but it's essential to consider whether the card's benefits are worth the annual fee after the first year.
Here's a summary of the Blue Cash Preferred card's pricing details:
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and 12 months on balance transfers
- Variable ongoing APR: 18.24% – 29.24% based on your credit history
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
- Late payment and returned payment fee: Up to $40
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an Amex card with a 650 credit score?
You may be approved for an American Express card with a 650 credit score, but it's likely to be a no-annual-fee card with more restrictive terms. Approval for higher-end cards may depend on individual credit history and other factors.
What credit score do you need for Chase Preferred card?
To qualify for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you'll typically need a credit score of 700 or higher. However, having a score above 700 can improve your chances of approval.
What credit score do you need for Amex Blue Cash?
To qualify for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, you'll need a good to excellent FICO score (670-850), with a very good score (740-799) improving your chances of approval.
Sources
- https://erika.com/blue-cash-preferred-card-from-american-express-review/
- https://www.joinkudos.com/blog/amex-blue-cash-preferred-card-review
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/amex-blue-cash-preferred-worth-annual-fee/
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-blue-cash-preferred/250-300-bonus-offer/
- https://www.allcards.com/blue-cash-preferred-card-from-american-express-review/
Featured Images: pexels.com