If you find yourself spending a lot at U.S. Supermarkets, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you use a card that will give you the best return! The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express does just that! It will give you you 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1% cash back). While this card will not earn you airline or hotel points, the average person is not able to get nearly close to a 6 cent per point return when redeeming for travel. And, I’d much rather cash in my pocket now vs. points to use at a later time.
While there is a $6,000 cap on the cash back per year (then 1% cash back), that averages out to a $500 bill per month. For most, this is probably on the higher end for what you spend anyways, so chances are you won’t go over the cap. And, if you do not think you’ll meet that $6,000 cap towards the end of the year, see if your store sells other random items that do not typically fall into this category.
This particular card does come with a $95 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) and is not a card I’d sign up for solely for the welcome bonus, but rather for your purchases that will earn you 6% cash back. Although, currently there is an increased limited time off. There is also a no fee version of this card, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, but most people will probably come out ahead by using the Preferred. As long as you spend $3,170 or more at participating U.S. supermarkets throughout the year you’ll get more cash back by paying an annual fee with the Preferred card.
While the annual fee is on the higher end (in my opinion) for a card that I’d personally only use for one type of purchase, it does have other worthwhile benefits. Because it is an American Express card you are able to take advantage of the Amex Offers promotions and potentially earn enough statement credits back in the year to make up for the annual fee (related post). For Amex Offers, I personally average about $300 in statement credits per Amex card I have per year – way more then the cost of any of my annual fees.
Keep in mind that this is only valid at U.S. Supermarkets that are coded “supermarket” in the system. You will not earn the 6% cash back at speciality stores (i.e., fish markets, wine markets, etc.), Superstores (Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon.com, etc.), and Warehouse Stores (i.e., Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.). You can read more about which stores are included and not included on this Amex site.
Other Benefits of Both Cards:
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
With this card you’ll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. *Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
With this card you’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases – then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
While the cash back percentage earned is higher than the Everyday card version, there is a $95 annual fee. This means the annual fee is worth it (compared to the no annual fee card), if you spend $3,170 or more at participating U.S. supermarkets throughout the calendar year. *Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees
**Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Key Links:
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. *Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express — Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.*Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As always, thank you for your support and enjoy traveling on a deal!
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Thanks for your article, as I am trying to decide between the two versions. But I’m not quite understanding the math behind the Preferred v. Everyday card. In order to make up the $95 annual fee in return for the extra 3% cash back over the free version of the card, don’t you need to spend at least $3200 on grocery store purchases?
@Pat – Thank you so much for pointing that out. I used the math from a post from many years ago and at the time the annual fee was less. So you are correct, it is approximately $3,170 to break even.