Key takeaways
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers cash-back rewards on common, everyday categories for a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee the first year).
- Along with a handful of entertainment, travel protection and insurance benefits, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred features an introductory APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers.
- Maximizing all this card has to offer comes down to hitting the welcome offer spending requirement, maxing out the yearly bonus category and familiarizing yourself with the various benefits available.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is considered one of the top cash back cards on the market today, and it’s easy to see why. Cardholders earn a whopping 6 percent back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1 percent back) as well as 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming services. They also earn 3 percent back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases and 1 percent back on everything else they buy.
A surprising number of perks are included, such as shopping benefits and protections for purchases you make with your card. This guide highlights the top benefits you’ll receive as a cardholder, as well as a few tips to maximize your Amex Blue Cash Preferred rewards.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred dining and entertainment benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred isn’t too heavy on benefits within dining and entertainment, but cardholders do get exclusive access to ticket presales and cardholder-only events through Amex Experiences. This can make it easier to get in the door for Broadway shows, concerts, sporting events and other popular activities.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred travel protections and benefits
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Being a cardmember lets you access a 24/7 international hotline any time you travel at least 100 miles from home. Experts on the line can help you line up emergency, legal or medical referrals, replace a lost passport or locate your luggage. The help you need is just a phone call away.
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The Blue Cash Preferred also gives cardholders car rental loss and damage insurance, which will provide secondary coverage behind one’s individual insurance. This type of coverage does not include liability. To activate this secondary protection, you must pay for the entire rental cost with your American Express card.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred card protections and insurance benefits
The Blue Cash Preferred also offers cardholder benefits and protections that can help you save money or replace a lost or stolen item. To fully take advantage of the benefits offered by the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, it’s important to understand the various perks it provides. Some of these benefits include:
Purchase protection: This benefit safeguards your purchases against damage or theft when you pay with your card. Coverage extends up to 90 days and $1,000 per occurrence, with a maximum benefit of $50,000 per calendar year.
Return protection: The card also includes a return protection feature that refunds your purchase if a merchant refuses to accept the return. This coverage applies to the full purchase price, excluding shipping and handling, with a maximum benefit of $300 per item and $1,000 per year and per account.
Dispute resolution: In case of fraudulent transactions or incorrect charges, American Express offers dispute resolution services to help resolve the issue. Keep in mind that not all disputes may result in a favorable outcome for the cardholder.
In addition to these benefits, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, followed by a variable APR ranging from 19.24% to 29.99%. This promotional APR period can be beneficial for making large purchases and paying them off over time.
To maximize the perks and rewards of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, consider the following strategies:
1. Earn the welcome bonus: Spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 6 months to earn a $250 statement credit.
2. Maximize bonus category spending: Take advantage of the 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, as well as 3% back on gas station and transit purchases, and 6% back on streaming services.
3. Utilize Amex Offers: Keep an eye out for Amex Offers to earn additional cash back on eligible purchases.
4. Save your receipts: Store receipts for major purchases to utilize the purchase protection and return protection benefits offered by the card.
In conclusion, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card presents a range of benefits for cardholders, from welcome bonuses to ongoing rewards and purchase protections. However, it’s essential to compare this card with other options, such as the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, and top rewards credit cards from different issuers to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and preferences.