How To Find the No-Annual-Fee Welcome Bonus Offer for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express has long been a go-to for families and individuals who spend heavily on everyday essentials. Its standout feature is the ability to earn elevated rewards at U.S. supermarkets, on popular U.S. streaming platforms, and for common commuting expenses. Earning 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per calendar year) is one of the highest rates of any credit card on this popular category.

Over the years, Amex has occasionally sweetened the deal by marketing targeted offers to some individuals. This might include waiving the annual fee for the first year or offering a different welcome bonus offer than the one that is offered publicly. These variations can make a meaningful difference in whether the card is the right fit for you.

In this article, we’ll review what the current public offer looks like, explain how the rewards structure works, and highlight the situations where this card can deliver outsized value. We’ll also look at its drawbacks, compare it to alternatives, and show you how to decide if paying the annual fee after the first year makes sense for your budget.

Targeted offers are discussed in the article below. Please note that these offers are not available to all applicants. Any information related to targeted offers has been collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Current Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Welcome Offer and How To Find Better Deals

While there is a public welcome offer for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, Amex also occasionally markets a variety of different welcome offers that depend on how you’re targeted.

The publicly available offer and annual fee are:

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees)

While this offer can be attractive, finding a better offer (such as a higher cash-back welcome bonus offer) may be possible through other channels.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find these better offers:

1. Try Amex Directly (Do This First)

Want the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card with the highest and best welcome offer? Begin your search directly on the American Express website. Amex has a specific section where you can check and see if you’re preapproved for any higher offers. It takes less than a few minutes to complete, and it won’t impact your credit score.

GREAT FOR CASH BACK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

$250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.99%.
• Plan It^®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express^® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
• Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred^® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

American Express occasionally targets different offers for its credit cards over time and in different channels. This means that you can sometimes find increased bonuses on all of Amex’s credit cards — including the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card. Looking directly on the American Express website is the first place to look for increased offers. That’s because the Amex site has a prequalifying tool that can check and see if you are targeted for those offers.

On the American Express website, click on Check for Offers and enter your details. It is possible that you may be targeted with an offer of up to $300 in cash-back on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

2. Try on CardMatch

If the American Express website doesn’t show any increased offer, then you still have a few other options. The next place to check is the CardMatch tool. When you use CardMatch, it does a soft credit check to find offers available to you. That means applying through CardMatch won’t affect your credit.

3. Check Targeted Email and Postal Offers

If you’ve opted in to New Card and Credit Offers messages through your Amex account’s email preferences, keep an eye on your inbox. Amex may target you with an email offering a higher-than-average offer for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

If you’ve opted in to these marketing offers, you may also receive a postcard or letter in the mail with a targeted offer on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Earning Rates

The best feature of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is its ability to earn a high amount of cash-back rewards on a variety of categories:

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming services
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations 
• 3% cash-back on transit (including taxis, ride-sharing, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
• 1% cash-back on everything else 

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Benefits

As a midtier card, there aren’t a ton of benefits on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card other than its higher-than-average earnings on U.S. supermarkets and streaming services.

Here are a few of the most interesting benefits of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card:

• Disney streaming credit: Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites (subject to automatic renewal)
• Access to Amex Offers: You can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of Amex Offers. Enrollment required.

All of this comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

How the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Earns Rewards

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is a cash-back card. It earns Reward Dollars, which you can then redeem as statement credits on your account. You can also redeem your Reward Dollars with other retailers, such as on Amazon purchases.

Maximizing Value With the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

The ability to earn 6% cash-back on everyday categories like groceries and streaming services can be quite attractive for many people. To maximize the amount that you earn, make sure to spend the full $6,000 cap offered at U.S. supermarkets each year. That would give you a total of $360 cash back each year, more than offsetting the card’s annual fee.

You earn 6% cash-back on select streaming services, as well as 3% on U.S. gas stations and transit purchases, which also includes taxis and ride-sharing, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. Focusing your spending on these bonus categories will help you increase your stash of Reward Dollars.

Who Should Apply for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card?

While there are many compelling reasons to apply for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, it may not be the best card for everyone.

Who Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Best For?

Here are some people who might consider applying for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card:

• Grocery shoppers: If you spend around $500 a month at U.S. supermarkets, the 6% back on groceries (up to $6,000 annually) would generate significant cash-back and easily outweigh the annual fee.
• Streamers: Households that subscribe to multiple services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or Spotify would benefit from the 6% cash-back on select streaming platforms.
• Commuters: With 3% cash-back on transit and U.S. gas stations, frequent drivers, train riders, and ride-sharing passengers can consistently earn more cash back on their daily travel costs.

Who Should Consider Other Cards

On the other hand, if any of the following apply to you, you might consider another card:

• People who don’t want to pay an annual fee: The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card does come with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. If you prefer not to pay annual fees on a credit card at all, consider another card.
• Big grocery spenders: If you spend more than $500 per month on groceries, some of your grocery spending will be over the annual cap. This means that your overall earnings will be less than 6%.
• Those who spend in other categories: The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card earns only 1% in nonbonus categories. So if your spending is focused in other categories, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card may not be the best for you.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is a powerful credit card for people whose budgets align with its top-earning categories. The combination of elevated rewards on groceries, streaming, gas, and transit can deliver far more value than the annual fee, especially for households with consistent spending in these areas. Before you apply, consider checking for a targeted offer. You may be able to find a higher welcome bonus offer while still being able to take advantage of the same great benefits and perks.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.