American Express · Cash back · Amex
American Express Blue Cash Preferred: what it's really worth
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred has a $95 annual fee ($0 the first year). For a typical household spending $2,070 a month, it's worth about $858 in year one and $513 each year after.
Annual fee$95$0 the first year
Sign-up bonus$250$250 after $3,000 in 6 mo
Net value · year 1$858
Net value · each year after$513
Offers seen in 2026 ranged from $250 to $350.
Calculate it with your own spendingIs the annual fee worth it?
Worth keeping after year one for typical spending: it nets about $8 a year more than the Hilton Honors Card, the best no-fee card for the same spending.
How you earn
| Category | Rate | Value per $1 | Per year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 1% | 1.0¢ | $36 |
| Groceries | 6% | 6.0¢ | $360 |
| Hotels | 1% | 1.0¢ | $10 |
| Flights | 1% | 1.0¢ | $12 |
| Gas | 3% | 3.0¢ | $54 |
| Streaming | 6% | 6.0¢ | $29 |
| Everything else | 1% | 1.0¢ | $108 |
*At typical monthly spending: dining $300, groceries $500, hotels $80, flights $100, gas $150, streaming $40, everything else $900. 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year, then 1%. 3% on transit and U.S. gas.
Credits and perks
- Purchase protection
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
Who it's for
- Families spending $300+/month on groceries
- $0 annual fee the first year
- Not ideal: Light spenders — the $95 fee eats the rewards
- Not ideal: Use abroad (2.7% foreign fee)
Can I get it?
- Recommended credit: Good
- American Express rules: Welcome offers are generally once per lifetime per card. Amex usually tells you before approval if you won't get the bonus.
- Amex: Not accepted everywhere: less common abroad and at some small businesses. Not accepted at Costco warehouses.
Check the current offer at American Express
Similar cards
Chase Freedom Unlimited$627 year 1 · $0 feeWells Fargo Active Cash$697 year 1 · $0 feeCiti Double Cash$697 year 1 · $0 feeCapital One Savor Cash Rewards$650 year 1 · $0 fee
Updated Oct 30, 2026.