Blue Cash Preferred Review 2026
EDITOR'S PICKUpdated Feb 16, 2026·CardStack Data Team
Quick Answer
The Blue Cash Preferred earns 6.0X on groceries, 6.0X on streaming, 3.0X on transit, 3.0X on gas, 1.0X on all_purchases with a $95 annual fee. The current signup bonus is Up to $300 cash back (worth $300 at portal rates) after $3,000 spend.
3.7/5
Overall
5.0/5
Rewards
3.5/5
Benefits
3.0/5
Value
BLU
Blue Cash Preferred
Up to $300 cash back bonus · $95/yr
VS
DEL
Delta SkyMiles Blue
$0/yr
CompareBlue Cash Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Blue·Blue Cash Preferred vs Blue Business Cash·Blue Cash Preferred vs Blue Business Plus·Blue Cash Preferred vs Blue Cash Everyday·Blue Cash Preferred vs Cash Magnet
Rewards Structure
| Category | Rate | Effective ¢/$ | MCCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| groceries | 6X pts/$ | 6.00¢ | Varies |
| streaming | 6X pts/$ | 6.00¢ | Varies |
| transit | 3X pts/$ | 3.00¢ | Varies |
| gas | 3X pts/$ | 3.00¢ | Varies |
| all_purchases | 1X pts/$ | 1.00¢ | Varies |
| Everything Else | 1X pts/$ | 1.00¢ | All |
Check MCCMCC Lookup Tool
Signup Bonus Value
Up to $300 cash back USD Points
Spend $3,000 in first 6 months
Cash / statement credit$300
Maximum value$300
Benefits
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Included
Purchase Protection
$1,000
Extended Warranty
Included
Return Protection
$300
Effective Annual Fee
Annual fee–$95
Net annual cost–$95 effective cost
Financial disclaimer: CardStack is not a financial advisor. Credit card terms, APRs, and fees are set by AMERICAN_EXPRESS and subject to change. Verify all information on the issuer's website before applying.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Signup bonus worth up to $375
- 6X top earn rate on bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $95 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
Who This Card Is For
International Travelers
No foreign transaction fees
Value Seekers
Strong rewards relative to $95 fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Cash Preferred worth $95/year?
For moderate spenders, generally yes. The Blue Cash Preferred offers rewards and benefits that typically exceed the $95 annual fee for anyone who uses the bonus categories regularly.
What credit score is needed for the Blue Cash Preferred?
Most successful applicants have a credit score of 670 or higher. Higher scores significantly improve approval odds.
What is the current signup bonus for the Blue Cash Preferred?
The current signup bonus is Up to $300 cash back. Check the issuer's website for the latest offer details and spending requirements.
Methodology
This review draws on data from 35+ independent sources including official product pages, the CFPB Credit Card Agreements Database, community approval datapoints, expert point valuation sources, and our proprietary MCC verification database. Rankings are data-driven with no affiliate influence on placement. Card terms were last verified on February 16, 2026. Full methodology: cardstack.co/methodology.