Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card’s Welcome Offer History: 2019 to 2026

If you’re looking for a cash-back credit card that delivers strong everyday value without complicated redemption rules, the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express is often one of the first options that comes up. Known for its generous grocery and streaming rewards, this card has long appealed to households that want reliable earnings on routine spending. It is built for consumers who prefer straightforward cash-back over points and miles.

In this post, we’ll look at when it makes sense to apply for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, how the welcome bonus offer has changed over time, what benefits really matter, and whether this card still deserves a place in your wallet.

When To Apply for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card

At its core, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is a cash-back credit card, not a travel rewards card. That distinction matters. Instead of earning points that can be transferred to airlines or hotels, you earn statement credits that directly reduce your balance. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees).

For many cardholders, that simplicity is the main attraction. There’s no need to monitor transfer partners, track award charts, or worry about blackout dates. What you earn is what you get.

Some of the biggest reasons people continue to choose this card include industry-leading cash-back earnings at U.S. supermarkets, strong earning rates on streaming and transit, easy redemptions, and predictable long-term value.

Unlike travel-focused cards, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card doesn’t offer points transfers or airline and hotel partnerships, as you’ll get with Membership Rewards points. Instead, it’s designed for people who want dependable savings on everyday expenses.

Right now, the card features the following public welcome offer:

• You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Here’s how that offer compares with previous publicly available bonuses:

Looking at this history, one trend becomes clear: the welcome bonus offer has remained fairly consistent over time, with occasional increases and minor structural changes.

Earlier versions of the offer focused on lower spending requirements and smaller bonuses. Over time, American Express gradually raised both the spending threshold and the potential payout. More recently, the issuer has favored longer qualification periods, giving applicants more flexibility.

The current “as high as $300” structure reflects this evolution. Instead of offering the bonus to everyone, customers see personalized offers after providing their personal details.

SPECIAL OFFER

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.

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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

You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

As High As $300

Annual Fee

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

APR

19.49%-28.49% 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 card application.

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)

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Card Highlights

• Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Enjoy 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 19.49%-28.49%.
• 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 Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% 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

Overall, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card has not experienced dramatic swings in its public welcome offers. Most bonuses have landed between $200 and $300, with $300 representing the high end of what’s been consistently available. That makes the current offer competitive with the card’s strongest past promotions.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card Benefits

Before getting into the details, it’s worth setting expectations.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card does not offer headline-grabbing perks such as airport lounge access, elite hotel status, or annual travel credits. It isn’t designed to compete with premium travel cards. Instead, its value comes from everyday spending rewards.

Here are the most important benefits and earning features:

• Earn 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% back)
• Earn 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• Earn 3% cash-back on transit, including rideshares, parking, and tolls
• Earn 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations
• Earn 1% cash-back on other purchases
• Automatic statement credit redemptions
• Up to $120 annual Disney streaming credit, available as up to $10 per month toward select services (requires enrollment)

The standout feature is clearly the 6% return at U.S. supermarkets. For families and households that spend heavily on groceries, this category alone can generate hundreds of dollars in value each year.

Streaming rewards are another underrated perk, especially as more consumers shift away from cable. Combined with solid transit and gas earnings, the card covers many common expense categories.

While there is an annual fee, many cardholders easily offset it through grocery and streaming rewards alone.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card has remained popular for a reason. It delivers strong, predictable value in everyday categories, offers simple redemptions, and avoids unnecessary complexity.

Its welcome bonus history shows steady, reliable offers rather than short-lived spikes. Today’s “as high as $300” promotion fits well within that pattern and represents one of the better entry points the card has offered.

For consumers who spend heavily at supermarkets, use multiple streaming services, and prefer cash-back over points, this card continues to make a lot of sense. Over time, the ongoing earning rates are likely to matter far more than the introductory bonus.

As with any credit card, the welcome offer should only be part of your decision. The best card is one that matches how you actually spend, so it continues to deliver value year after year.

If your priorities include simplicity, strong grocery rewards, and dependable cash-back, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card remains one of the most practical options available to readers of Upgraded Points.