Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday
Both Amex Blue Cash cards target grocery shoppers, but one costs $95/year while the other is free. The key question: do you spend enough on groceries to justify the fee? We break down the math.
| Feature | Amex Blue Cash Preferred American Express | Amex Blue Cash Everyday American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| APR | 19.49% - 29.99% | 19.49% - 29.99% |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $250 after $3,000 spend in 6 months | $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Base Rewards | 1% on everything | 1% on everything |
| Top Categories | 6% supermarkets (up to $6k/yr), 6% streaming, 3% transit/gas | 3% supermarkets (up to $6k/yr), 3% gas, 3% online retail |
| Foreign Tx Fee | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| Credit Needed | Good (670+) | Good (670+) |
Pros & Cons
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Pros
- +6% on groceries (up to $6k)
- +6% on streaming
- +3% on gas and transit
- +Higher sign-up bonus
Cons
- -$95 annual fee
- -$6,000 annual grocery cap
- -Drops to 1% after cap
- -Foreign transaction fee
Amex Blue Cash Everyday
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +3% on groceries, gas, and online retail
- +Broader 3% categories
- +Lower spend requirement for bonus
Cons
- -Only 3% vs 6% on groceries
- -Lower sign-up bonus value
- -Same $6k grocery cap
Our Recommendation
If you spend more than $3,167/year on groceries (~$264/month), the Blue Cash Preferred earns more even after the annual fee. Below that, the Everyday card wins.