Underrated Reasons To Get a Blue Cash Preferred Card from AmEx

They say cash is king, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a cash-back king. The card’s generous earning rates in popular spending categories — like 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases — exceed those of many other cash-back cards on the market. Terms apply.

Although the card charges an annual fee, it’s easy enough to offset it by making purchases in bonus categories. Let’s review the many reasons why you might need this AmEx credit card.

» Learn more: Our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card® from American Express

The well-known reasons

• Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.

• Rare rewards at U.S. supermarkets: With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you’ll earn 6% cash back on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year. The earning rate drops to 1% after you reach the limit. By meeting the limit alone in this single bonus category, you’ll earn up to $360 back per year. Terms apply.

• More ways to earn cash back quickly: Earn 6% cash back per dollar spent on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit expenses. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Terms apply.

» Learn more: AmEx Membership Rewards: How to earn and use them

The underrated reasons

Earn rewards on transit and gas

Those who take public transportation to work or commute in a gas-guzzler will earn 3% cash back on qualifying purchases at U.S. gas stations and on transit. Using the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express on everything else will result in 1% cash back. Terms apply.

Easy to break even on the annual fee

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Terms apply.

To break even with the annual fee, you only need to spend an average of $132 per month on groceries, which isn’t hard to do for most households. The rest of your spending will earn cash back straight into your pocket.

Opportunity to save cash with AmEx Offers

AmEx Offers is a feature available to all AmEx cardmembers. Simply enroll in available offers and shop at the partnering merchant’s store or online with your enrolled card, then receive a rebate in the form of a statement credit. With some offers, you get a set amount of money back, while with others you get a percentage of a transaction amount back to your card. This can be a nice way of saving money on purchases you already plan on making. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to add money-saving travel offers to your AmEx card

Free ShopRunner membership

American Express offers free ShopRunner enrollment to cardmembers. ShopRunner users are eligible for free two-day shipping and returns at more than 100 online retailers. Registering your Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express with ShopRunner will save you money on shipping costs whenever you shop with the participating merchants. Terms apply.

The bottom line

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a useful cash-back card for families with a large grocery and gas/public transit bill. Although it has an annual fee, implementing the right strategy will help you offset it easily. Spend with ease and automatically get money back, no redemption needed. Terms apply.