High cash back rates in popular everyday spending categories
You can earn some serious cash back with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Here are its cash back rates:
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets, capped at $6,000 per calendar year
- 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 3% back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 1% back on other purchases
- Terms apply
I haven't seen many cash back cards that can match this one. The 6% rate at U.S. supermarkets alone is spectacular. If you spend $500 per month in that category, you'll earn $360 per year in cash back. Add in high rates on streaming, gas, and transit, and you could easily clear $500 back per year.
You receive cash back with this card as Reward Dollars. These are redeemable as a statement credit on your credit card bill or checking out at Amazon.com. Terms apply.
Save money up front with a big welcome offer and an intro annual fee
Any self-respecting rewards card needs a welcome offer, and this American Express card has a pretty good one. You earn a welcome offer of $250 in statement credits after spending $3,000 on purchases with your card in the first 6 months. Terms apply.
That's a larger welcome offer than what most cash back cards offer, but it also has a much larger spending requirement. Many cards offer a $200 bonus for spending $500 to $1,000 in the first three months. American Express makes you spend a lot more.
Still, earning $250 back is never a bad thing. You'll also save on this card's annual fee for the first year.
Valuable spending credits -- if you can use them
American Express is known for loading up its cards with spending credits that can be tricky to use. True to form, this card offers:
- $84 Disney Bundle credit: Get up to $7 in monthly statement credits after spending $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription using your enrolled card. Terms apply.
With the Disney Bundle credit and the big grocery rewards, this card is great for families. If you already pay for a Disney Bundle or have been thinking of signing up, you'll save quite a bit on the monthly fee.
A 0% intro APR could be helpful for avoiding credit card interest
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. A go-to 19.24%-29.99% Variable rate applies after the intro period. Terms apply.
This could be useful if you need time to pay off expensive bills, or if you want to refinance credit card debt. But if either of those is your primary goal right now, then this card may not be the best choice.
There are plenty of no annual fee cards with longer 0% intro APR periods. And there are balance transfer cards that give you more time to get out of credit card debt.
Complimentary protections and fantastic customer service round out the experience
American Express is known for providing a higher level of service than most card issuers. It routinely takes the top spot in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction studies.
Many American Express cards also have complimentary protections on purchases and travel bookings. Here are the protections that the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express provides on eligible purchases:
- Purchase protection covering purchases that are accidentally damaged or stolen within the first 90 days
- Extended warranty for up to one additional year on original manufacturer's warranties of five years or less
- Return protection for eligible items the merchant won't take back within 90 days of purchase
- Rental car insurance covering damage or theft to rental vehicles
- Terms apply