Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Review 2023

Our consultants reply readers’ bank card questions and write unbiased product opinions (here is how we assess bank cards). In some instances, we obtain a fee from our companions; nonetheless, our opinions are our personal. Phrases apply to gives listed on this web page.

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is without doubt one of the greatest cash-back playing cards, significantly for shoppers who spend some huge cash at U.S. supermarkets, use streaming companies, or have plenty of commuting and gasoline bills. The annual charge of $0 intro for the primary yr, then $95 is price it in case your typical spending traces up with the cardboard’s bonus classes.

Amex Blue Money Most well-liked Assessment: Is It the Greatest Card for You?

In case you spend rather a lot on groceries, streaming, or commuting, the Blue Money Most well-liked® Card from American Specific is without doubt one of the greatest bank cards for getting the largest return on your purchases.

Together with providing a $250 assertion credit score after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new card inside the first six months from account opening, the Blue Money Most well-liked® Card from American Specific earns 6% again in your first $6,000 in U.S. grocery store spending every year (then 1% again), which is one of the best of any cash-back bank card in the marketplace. You may additionally earn 6% money again on choose U.S. streaming companies, 3% again on U.S. gasoline stations and transit, and 1% again on all different eligible purchases (money again is earned within the type of Rewards {Dollars}). 

The cardboard does include an annual charge of $0 intro for the primary yr, then $95, nevertheless it’s nicely price it in case your bills match the cardboard’s bonus classes. In case you max out the U.S. supermarkets 6% cash-back class by spending $6,000 per yr (or $500 a month, on common), you’d earn $360 in money again from these purchases alone.

New cardholders additionally obtain a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and stability transfers from the date of account opening (then a 18.74% – 29.74% Variable APR). Different advantages embrace return safety, buy safety, and prolonged guarantee, making it a sensible choice for getting issues like expensive devices or electronics.

The Blue Money Most well-liked® Card from American Specific additionally comes with month-to-month assertion credit for Equinox+** and the Disney Bundle** which may be price far more than the annual charge.

Earlier than you resolve if the Blue Money Most well-liked® Card from American Specific is best for you, make sure you think about different cash-back playing cards with bonus classes that may additionally suit your spending habits. For instance, the Chase Freedom Limitless® gives a bonus of 1.5% money again along with common incomes on all the things you purchase as much as $20,000 spent within the first yr (price as much as $300 money again) and has a $0 annual charge, and it earns 5% again on journey booked by means of Chase, 3% again on eating and drugstores, and 1.5% again on all the things else with no spending caps.

Amex Blue Money Most well-liked Rewards

Welcome Bonus

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is providing a welcome bonus of a $250 assertion credit score after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new card inside the first six months from account opening. Some cash-back playing cards do not include any form of intro bonus, however this card ia additionally one of many few to have an annual charge ($0 intro for the primary yr, then $95), so the supply sweetens the deal. 

How you can Earn Rewards

With a beneficiant incomes construction in common classes, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is a good possibility — however be mindful there are exclusions and limits in some instances. Cardholders earn:

• 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 in spending per yr, then 1% again (this does not embrace superstores, comfort shops, warehouse golf equipment, and meal-kit supply companies)
• 6% again on choose U.S. streaming subscriptions (see eligible companies beneath)
• 3% again at U.S. gasoline stations (superstores, supermarkets and warehouse golf equipment that promote gasoline do not depend)
• 3% again on transit (together with trains, taxicabs, rideshare companies, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways)
• 1% again on all different purchases

The grocery store, streaming, and gasoline classes are restricted to purchases within the US; transit purchases may be worldwide, nonetheless. Plus, not each streaming service qualifies to earn 6% money again, both.

This is Amex’s present record of eligible streaming subscriptions:

How you can Use Rewards

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is an easy cash-back bank card that does not supply a number of choices for redeeming your rewards.

The money again you earn from the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is issued within the type of reward {dollars}, which you’ll be able to apply to your account as an announcement credit score in any quantity. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t use your rewards towards the minimal fee due.

You’ll be able to’t redeem your rewards instantly for journey like you may should you had an American Specific card that earns Membership Rewards factors, just like the American Specific® Gold Card
, or switch them to airline or lodge companions.

Transferable factors, like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Final Rewards®, are an excellent decide if you would like the pliability to redeem rewards for assertion credit, merchandise, present playing cards, or journey (while you’re prepared).

In case you desire to solely earn money again, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is a star. Not solely do you earn 6% again in your first $6,000 spent in U.S. supermarkets every year (then 1%), however you additionally earn 6% again (with no caps) on U.S. streaming companies, together with Hulu, Netflix, and Spotify. You may additionally earn an infinite 3% again at U.S. gasoline stations and on transit, which incorporates all the things from Lyft and Uber to coach fares, tolls, and subways.

Suppose you’re the common household who spends much more than $6,000 per yr (or $500 per 30 days) on the grocery store. Actually, you spend $10,000 per yr at Kroger or Complete Meals. With the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked, you’ll earn $360 in money again on the primary $6,000 you spent and one other $40 again incomes 1% past the $6,000 cap every year. That is $400 already within the financial institution.

Now think about you spend one other $100 per 30 days at U.S. gasoline stations — at 3% again, that is one other $36 per yr. Put $30 per 30 days ($360 per yr) in streaming companies on the cardboard, and also you’re approaching $500 per yr — and that is not counting some other common spending on the cardboard or the $250 assertion credit score after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new card inside the first six months from account opening. This is why the annual charge is price it — particularly the primary yr.

In case you maximize the 6% again at U.S. supermarkets, you will get $360 in rewards yearly at a naked minimal. That is greater than sufficient to make up for the annual charge — and much more than you’d earn with a typical 1% cash-back bank card.

Options to the American Specific Blue Money Most well-liked

• Citi® Double Money Card: $0 annual charge, 2x factors (2% money again) on all purchases — 1 level per greenback while you purchase, plus 1 level per greenback while you pay your invoice (learn our Citi Double Money card assessment)
• Chase Freedom Flex℠
  : Earn a $200 after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening,  $0 annual charge, 5% money again on journey bought by means of Final Rewards, 5% money again on as much as $1,500 in purchases every quarter in rotating bonus classes while you activate, 3% money again on eating and drugstore purchases, 1% money again on all the things else (learn our Chase Freedom Flex card assessment)
• Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
  : $300 money bonus when you spend $3,000 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening, $95 annual charge, 4% money again on eating, leisure, and common streaming companies, 3% money again at grocery shops, 1% money again on all different purchases (learn our Capital One Savor card assessment)

Amex Blue Money Most well-liked Advantages and Options

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked would not supply an extended record of options like The Platinum Card® from American Specific
and different premium playing cards, nevertheless it does supply a handful of useful perks.

Disney Bundle credit

One of many latest advantages of the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked (and the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Specific) is a month-to-month $7 credit score while you pay for a Disney Bundle subscription of $12.99 or extra along with your card (enrollment required).

The Disney Bundle contains Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, so it is a helpful supply for many households. In case you already subscribe to those streaming companies, this perk might successfully save as much as $84 per yr.

Equinox+ credit

Health buffs can reap the benefits of $10 per 30 days in assertion credit towards Equinox+ membership after they pay with their Amex Blue Money Most well-liked by means of equinoxplus.com (enrollment required). Equinox+ is an on-demand health app that prices $40 per 30 days.

This might be price as much as $120 a yr should you max out the profit. Simply make sure you pay your invoice by means of Equinox+ on-line and never by means of the Equinox+ app, in any other case, you will not obtain the credit score.

Intro APR supply

The cardboard gives a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and stability transfers from the date of account opening, adopted by a 18.74% – 29.74% Variable APR.

The very best 0% bank card gives can prevent cash you probably have huge purchases developing that you just’d wish to pay for over time with out racking up huge curiosity expenses, however ensure you have the means and a plan to repay the stability earlier than the introductory interval expires. In any other case, you might end up with a whole lot of high-interest debt.

Automobile rental loss and injury insurance coverage

In case you hire a automotive with the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked and decline the rental firm’s collision injury waiver, you will obtain secondary auto rental protection. Some restrictions apply, so make sure you learn the restrictions. That is secondary protection, not main automotive rental insurance coverage, so it kicks in after your individual automotive insurance coverage coverage.

International Help Hotline

Amex Blue Money Most well-liked members who run into hassle whereas touring can entry Amex International Help Hotline for assist with translation companies, lacking baggage, emergency authorized and medical referrals, misplaced passport help, and extra. The International Help Hotline will assist prepare these companies, however you are accountable for any third-party expenses.

Return safety

If you are going to buy an eligible merchandise with the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked and the unique vendor will not settle for a return, this protection can get you as much as $300 per eligible merchandise (with a most of $1,000 per calendar yr) for as much as 90 days from the acquisition date.

Buy safety

If an eligible merchandise you bought with the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is stolen or broken, you may get reimbursed, as much as $1,000 per buy and as much as 90 days from the acquisition date (as much as $50,000 per calendar yr).

Prolonged guarantee

Whenever you buy an eligible merchandise with the cardboard, you possibly can rise up to at least one further yr added to authentic producer’s warranties of 5 years or much less (most protection of $10,000 per merchandise and $50,000 per account per calendar yr).

Amex Presents

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked comes with entry to the Amex Presents** program. Amex Presents can get you money again or bonus factors while you store with particular retailers and journey manufacturers. You’ll be able to view all of your obtainable gives by logging into your card account and scrolling down. (Eligibility for these gives is restricted. Enrollment is required within the Amex Presents part of your account earlier than redeeming).

How the Blue Money Most well-liked Card Compares

Blue Money Most well-liked vs Blue Money On a regular basis Card

The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked and the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Specific are each cash-back playing cards, however they differ in the case of bonus classes, rewards quantities, and annual charges.

Whereas the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked has an annual charge of $0 intro for the primary yr, then $95, the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Specific has a $0 annual charge. The Amex Blue Money Most well-liked has greater cash-back bonus classes, too; the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Specific earns 3% again at U.S. supermarkets on the primary $6,000 spent every calendar yr, then 1% again, 3% again at U.S. gasoline stations on the primary $6,000 spent every calendar yr, then 1% again, 3% again at U.S. on-line retailes (additionally on the $6,000 spent every calendar yr, then 1% again), and 1% again on all the things else. So the most suitable choice for you’ll finally come right down to which bonus classes youy desire and whether or not you are keen to pay an annual charge.

Learn our comparability of the Blue Money Most well-liked Card and Blue Money On a regular basis Card for more information.

Blue Money Most well-liked vs Amex Gold Card

Whereas the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked is a cash-back card with an annual charge underneath $100 and the American Specific® Gold Card earns Amex Membership Rewards factors and has an annual charge of $250, the playing cards are each good choices for maximizing your purchases at U.S. supermarkets. 

With the Amex Gold Card, you possibly can earn 4x factors at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per yr, then 1x). Insider’s factors and miles valuations peg Membership Rewards factors at 1.8 cents apiece on common, so factors have the potential to be considerably extra helpful than money again should you redeem them for journey by means of Amex or its switch companions. The Amex Gold Card additionally comes with extra options, corresponding to a month-to-month eating credit score. Learn our Amex Gold Card assessment for extra particulars.

Blue Money Most well-liked vs Chase Sapphire Most well-liked

Just like the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card has a $95, nevertheless it’s not waived the primary yr. The Sapphire Most well-liked is a rewards bank card that earns Chase Final Rewards factors, not money again, so should you do not need to redeem rewards for journey it will not make sense for you.

The Sapphire Most well-liked comes with extra advantages, corresponding to a $50 annual lodge credit score, a ten% anniversary factors enhance, and 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ membership. It additionally earns 3x factors on eating, 3x factors on choose streaming companies and on on-line grocery purchases (with no cap), and 1 level per greenback on all the things else — so its bonus classes might be extra engaging relying in your spending patterns. Learn our Chase Sapphire Most well-liked card assessment to study extra.

Blue Money Most well-liked Annual Charge and Different Prices

Apart from the annual charge, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked has just a few different charges you will need to concentrate on, although most of them are avoidable should you pay your stability off in full every month.

• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and stability transfers from the date of account opening
• Common APR: 18.74% – 29.74% Variable
• Steadiness switch charge: 5% of your switch quantity or $3, whichever is larger
• Money advance: 10% of your switch quantity or $5, whichever is larger
• International transaction charge: 2.7%
• Late fee: As much as $40

As with most different playing cards, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked expenses charges for late funds, returned funds, and money advances. It is not a sensible choice for worldwide purchases as a result of it provides overseas transaction charges.

Amex Blue Money Most well-liked Ceaselessly Requested Questions (FAQ)

Methodology: How We Reviewed the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked

Insider’s bank card consultants evaluated the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked by evaluating it to comparable cash-back playing cards and different rewards playing cards with the same annual charge. These had been the primary standards that factored into our assessment:

• Simplicity — How straightforward is the cardboard to make use of and maximize? Is incomes and redeeming rewards a easy course of, or are there any hoops to leap by means of?
• Rewards incomes potential — Does the cardboard make it straightforward to earn vital money again? Are its bonus rewards classes helpful for the typical cardholder?
• Advantages — Are the cardboard’s advantages, past the rewards, interesting? Can the typical cardholder get vital worth from them?
• Annual charge — Does the cardboard’s annual charge make sense given its number of perks and the bonus classes for incomes rewards? And does it examine favorably to different comparable playing cards?

Learn our full methodology for reviewing bank cards for extra details about how we give you our scores.