Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card vs. Amex Cash Magnet Card [Detailed Comparison]

Christine Krzyszton's image
Christine Krzyszton

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

Countries Visited: 98U.S. States Visited: 45

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Edited by: Nick Ellis

Nick Ellis

Editor & Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 35U.S. States Visited: 25

Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to le...
& Stella Shon

Stella Shon

Compliance Editor & Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 25U.S. States Visited: 22

With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Wouldn’t it be great if every daily purchase you made earned cash-back that could accumulate for use at a later date or to offset your monthly expenses? Having an everyday spending card is a solution that automatically ensures every purchase is earning rewards.

While American Express issues several everyday spending cards, today we’re focusing on 2 popular options — the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the American Express Cash Magnet® card.

Both cards earn cash-back on every purchase and have benefits that provide protection and save you money. Determining which card is better for your situation takes just a few minutes of reading.

Join us as we compare these 2 possible choices for everyday earning cards — the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and the Amex Cash Magnet card.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card vs. Amex Cash Magnet Card — Overview

Before we dive into the details of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and the Amex Cash Magnet card, let’s have a quick look at a summary comparison of our 2 featured cards.

Here are the key features and benefits you’ll find on the cards.

 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressAmerican Express Cash Magnet® Card
Annual Fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees)$0
Welcome OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.Earn $200 Back after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months. You will receive the $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
Earning
  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1%
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases
1.5% cash-back on every purchase
Statement Credits (Enrollment Required)
  • Up to $120 each year (up to $10 per month) for qualifying Equinox+ purchases
  • Up to $7 per month on a Disney Bundle of $12.99 or more, up to $84 each year
N/A
Top Travel and Shopping Protections/Benefits
  • Secondary car rental insurance with access to Premium Protection
  • Purchase protection
  • Amex Offers (enrollment required)
Additional Features/Benefits
  • Extended warranty, return protection
  • No charge to add authorized users (rates and fees)

No charge to add authorized users

The Value of a Welcome Bonus Offer

Once you’re approved for either the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or the Amex Cash Magnet card, you’ll have the opportunity to earn additional cash-back by meeting minimum spending requirements to qualify for a welcome bonus.

Welcome offers can vary, so we’ve provided the most current ones (with some additional information) in the following card snapshots.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressTerms 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 in's and out's 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.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

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.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

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 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

  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Cons

  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an Equinox+ membership at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting The Disney Bundle which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription with your Blue Cash Preferred Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

Amex Cash Magnet Card

American Express Cash Magnet® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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.

Earn consistent 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, with no caps or changing categories to track, and with no annual fee.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Earn consistent 1.5% cash-back on all purchases, with no caps or changing categories to track, and with no annual fee.
Earn $200 Back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$200
$0
0% on purchases for 15 months, from account opening,Ongoing APR: 19.24%-29.99% variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The information regarding the American Express Cash Magnet® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 


Those who are looking for a simple and straightforward cash-back credit card will love the American Express Cash Magnet® Card. With no annual fee to worry about and no bonus categories to fuss over, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you’re earning cash-back rewards on every purchase — without needing to pay anything out of pocket.

Pros

  • 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Rental car insurance

Cons

  • 2.7% foreign transaction fees
  • No category specific bonus categories
  • Earn $200 Back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
  • Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases.
  • Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 19.24%-29.99% variable.
  • Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
  • Amex Offers rewards you at places you like to shop, dine, travel, and more. You can add as many Offers as you’d like to your Card, then just use that Card to pay, and enjoy rewards directly on your statement.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months, from account opening,Ongoing APR: 19.24%-29.99% variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars.

Card Categories

<ul><li><a href="/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-cash-magnet-card/150-200-bonus-offer/">How to Find the $150 (Or Even $200) Welcome Bonus Offer for the Amex Cash Magnet</a></li></ul>
Bottom Line:

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and the Amex Cash Magnet card each come with a welcome offer to earn cash-back after meeting minimum spending requirements in a specified period after card approval.

Earning Potential and Redemption Options

Referral Bonus Opportunities

Once you have either the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or the Amex Cash Magnet card, you may be able to refer family or friends for an American Express card and receive a cash-back bonus.

When you make a referral and the individual is approved for any available American Express card, you can receive the cash-back referral bonus. Learn more about the Amex Refer-a-friend process.

Spending on the Card

It’s easy to accumulate cash-back Reward Dollars on everyday purchases with either of our featured cards.

Here’s how you’ll earn by spending on either the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or the Amex Cash Magnet card:

Earning CategoriesAmex Blue Cash Preferred CardAmex Cash Magnet Card
U.S. Supermarkets6% cash-back, up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1%

1.5% unlimited cash-back

Select Streaming Services6% cash-back
U.S. Gas Stations, Transit3% cash-back
All Other Purchases1% cash-back

If you spend $500 or less each month at the supermarket, you’ll earn well on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card at 6% cash-back compared to the Amex Cash Magnet card at 1.5%. Add in any purchases for select streaming services, gas stations, and transit, and you’ll come out ahead with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

If your household spending mix is more on large expenditures such as tuition, household repairs, medical expenses, or other non-bonus category spending, you could do better with the Amex Cash Magnet card.

Because earning potential is just 1 key reason for selecting a specific card, let’s look at the additional benefits of our featured cards.

Redemption Options

Cash-back earned on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card is earned as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit. It’s your choice whether to accumulate cash-back and use it for a special purchase or redeem it monthly to offset your expenses.

In addition, you can redeem Reward Dollars for gift cards or merchandise, but you may receive less value with these redemptions.

Reward Dollars cannot be used to make the minimum payment due on your account.

Bottom Line:

Earn Reward Dollars on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card by qualifying for the welcome offer after card approval, referring friends or family, and spending on either card. Redeem Reward Dollars for a statement credit, gift cards, or merchandise.

Statement Credits — Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

Earn cash-back and receive statement credits for eligible Disney Bundle purchases with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card. Image Credit: American Express

Enroll your Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and make an Equinox+ membership purchase via equinoxplus.com to receive up to $10 per month, up to $120 maximum each year in statement credits.

Receive a statement credit for $7 each month when you use your card to purchase The Disney Bundle streaming service for $12.99 or more, up to $84 each year in credits.

Travel Protections and Benefits

While neither of our featured cards offers a great deal of travel protections and benefits, you will find a couple of useful perks on both cards.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Reserve and pay for your entire car rental with your Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or Amex Cash Magnet card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary car rental protection for damage or theft of the rental car.

Secondary car rental coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance. Both cards do provide access to purchase Amex Premium Protection, with primary car rental coverage, for 1 low price ($12.25 to $24.95) that covers the entire rental period of up to 42 days.

Global Assist Hotline

Travel with the confidence that you’ll have 24/7 access to assistance with arranging emergency transportation, medical or legal referrals, translation services, and much more. Cardholders are responsible for the actual services received after referral services.

Bottom Line:

Both the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card come with secondary car rental loss and damage insurance with the option to purchase Premium Protection for 1 low price that covers the entire rental period. Both cards also offer access, when traveling, to 24/7 help via the Global Assist Hotline.

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Eligible items purchased with your card could qualify for short-term protection for damage, theft, or extended warranty. Image Credit: Karsten Madsen via Pexels

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card come with several shopping protections and benefits that can minimize loss if something should go wrong with an eligible purchase or save you money on select purchases.

Here are the shopping protections and benefits you’ll find on both of our featured cards:

Purchase Protection

Use the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or the Amex Cash Magnet card to purchase an eligible item and receive coverage for damage or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per eligible item, up to $50,000 per card account per calendar year.

Amex Offers

Amex Offers can save you hundreds of dollars each year. You’ll find a list of up to 100 offers when you log in to your online card account and scroll to the bottom section of the home page. Enroll in the offers you like to your card, make the eligible purchase, and receive additional cash-back.

Extended Warranty and Return Protection — Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

You’ll find extended warranty protection on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, along with return protection.

Extended warranty coverage will add 1 additional year to eligible items with manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less. With return protection, if a merchant will not accept the return of an eligible item purchased with your card within 90 days after the purchase date, you could receive up to $300 per item, up to $1,000 per card account per calendar year.

Bottom Line:

Both the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card come with purchase protection and Amex Offers. Additionally, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card comes with extended warranty coverage, return protection, and statement credits for select purchases.

Additional Features and Benefits

Introductory 0% APR Periods and $0 Plan It Fees

Making a large purchase and paying it back over time without interest charges is a real benefit that can save you money:

  • Amex Blue Cash Preferred card:
    • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 19.24% to 29.99%.
    • $0 Buy Now, Pay Later intro Plan It fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a fixed monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Amex Cash Magnet card:
    • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 19.24% to 29.99%.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card has an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees). The Amex Cash Magnet card has a $0 annual fee.

Adding an authorized user to either card can help you earn cash-back even more quickly. Neither card charges a fee to add authorized users.

American Express issues several everyday spending cards, making it easy to find a match for your spending mix, the level of annual fee you’re comfortable with, and a card that provides benefits you can use.

Here are just 2 additional American Express cards we recommend that will ensure you earn rewards on every daily purchase:

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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 cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros

  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
  • Monthly credit towards Home Chef

Cons

  • Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Everyday Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars

Card Categories

We like that the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card has a $0 annual fee (rates and fees), though it earns well on daily purchases, including those at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases.

One additional key benefit of the card is its 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR. This allows you to transfer high-interest credit card balances to the card and pay the balance off over time without interest charges (rates and fees).

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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 is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

American Express® Gold Card

This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is definitely a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are a number of other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Gold card is American Express’s flagship everyday spending card. It earns flexible and valuable Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed with airline and hotel partners for excellent potential value.

In addition to strong earning potential and flexible redemption options, you’ll want to check out the numerous statement credits offered by the card. These present significant economic value that can offset the $250 annual fee (rates and fees).

Final Thoughts

It’s wise to have at least 1 everyday spending card in your wallet for earning rewards on daily purchases. You will want to select carefully and choose a card that best rewards your specific spending mix.

Also, it’s recommended to have a good to excellent credit score, considered 670 and above, to be approved for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card or the Amex Cash Magnet card. We recommend a score of 700 or above to increase your chances for approval.

While the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card and Amex Cash Magnet card are excellent choices, you may want to review our additional picks for the best consumer and business credit cards for everyday expenses.


For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the return protection benefit of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

The information regarding the American Express Cash Magnet® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The better card for you will depend on your spending mix and whether you’re comfortable paying an annual fee. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card earns well in everyday bonus categories such as U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and on transit. The Amex Cash Magnet card earns a flat rate percentage on every purchase. If you spend a lot in the bonus categories, you may earn more on the Amex Blue Cash Preferred but you’ll have to pay an annual fee. The Amex Cash Magnet has a $0 annual fee.

Yes. While the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is a great everyday spending card, it does charge foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of the total transaction.

Yes, the Amex Cash Magnet card charges 2.7% of the total amount of each foreign transaction.

No, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card earns cash-back in the form of Reward Dollars which can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise.

Yes, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred does charge an annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees).

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Travel is changing fast... Stay on top of all the points strategies, exclusive offers & pivotal news - and lock in huge savings along the way.

We respect your privacy. Please view our privacy policy here.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.

0 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!

Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

DMCA.com Protection Status