When does the supermarket cap reset?

Each calendar year, not on your card anniversary. After $6,000 of eligible supermarket spending, the rate is 1% until the next calendar year.

What is the grocery-only break-even against 2% cash back?

Ignoring bonuses and credits, the $95 recurring fee divided by the 4-percentage-point earning advantage is $2,375 per year, about $198 monthly, while within the 6% cap. At $6,000 annually, net rewards are $265 versus $120 on a no-fee 2% card. Above the cap, the 1% rate reduces the advantage; it disappears at $20,500 of annual grocery spending.

Independent comparisons. No active credit card affiliate partnerships. Numbers checked 2026-09-10. How we make money · Data status

American Express•Amex

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Name: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Brand: American Express
Price: 95 USD

Published by CreditMango · Mike Kwak · Editorial policy

Best for Groceries

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Annual Fee$95$0 introductory annual fee in year oneFee minus estimated benefits: −$25

APR19.49% - 28.49% variable

Sign-up BonusAs high as $300 after $3,000 in purchases within 6 months; offers vary and eligibility applies~$300 valueOffer amount and eligibility vary. Confirm the offer and credit-check terms before accepting.

Rewards6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K/yr), 6% select streaming, 3% transit & gas, 1% other

Credit Scoregood

Foreign FeesYes (3%)

+ Pros

✓6% on eligible supermarket spending within cap
✓First-year annual fee waived
✓Eligible streaming credit

− Cons

✗$95 recurring annual fee
✗Supermarket 6% cap: $6,000 per calendar year
✗2.7% foreign transaction fee

Rewards Breakdown

Category	Rate	Monthly Spend	Annual Value
U.S. Supermarkets	6% (up to $6K/yr)	$500/mo	$360
Select Streaming	6%	$50/mo	$36
U.S. Gas Stations	3%	$150/mo	$54
Transit	3%	$100/mo	$36
All Other	1%	$800/mo	$96
Total Estimated Annual Rewards			$582

Perks & Credits

6%, then 1%

Supermarket Rewards

First $6,000 of eligible U.S. supermarket purchases per calendar year. Superstores, warehouse clubs and other excluded merchants do not qualify.

Up to $120/year

Disney Streaming Credit

Enroll for up to $10 each month on eligible subscriptions through DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. sites. Subscriptions auto-renew; count only spending you would otherwise make.

$0 in year one

Introductory Fee

Then $95 annually. The recurring-fee comparison excludes optional streaming-credit savings.

6% or 3%

Other Rewards

6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit. Other eligible spending earns 1%.

Total Annual Credits: $120 vs $95 fee = $25 estimated benefits above fee

Benefits are conditional and are not cash income. The full annual fee still applies.

CFPB Consumer Complaints(2025-10-11 to 2026-10-11)

5,695Issuer-wide credit card complaints

99%Timely responses among known outcomes

Top complaint categories:

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement1,978
Other features, terms, or problems946
Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers546

Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database, checked 2026-10-11. These counts cover the issuer, not this specific card, and are not adjusted for customer count. Complaints are not necessarily evidence of wrongdoing.

Blue Cash Preferred rewards eligible supermarket spending, but 6% is capped at $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Its current offer waives the annual fee in year one; the recurring fee is $95. The advertised welcome offer is as high as $300 after $3,000 in six months. Your offer may be lower, or you may be ineligible.

Compare against a free alternative

At $500 monthly in eligible supermarkets, annual rewards are $360. After the recurring fee, that leaves $265, versus $120 from a no-fee 2% card: a $145 advantage before other spending or credits.

At $1,000 monthly, the capped calculation is $360 plus $60, or $420 before the fee. The old uncapped calculation would overstate that by $300.

For grocery spending alone, ignoring bonuses and credits, the first break-even against 2% is $2,375 annually: $95 divided by 4%. The advantage then shrinks above the cap and disappears at $20,500 annually. Higher spending is not always better.

Count benefits you will use

Enrollment can unlock up to $10 monthly toward eligible Disney streaming subscriptions. Our default comparison excludes that optional savings. Streaming rewards are excluded because that expense is not collected separately. Enter qualifying transit in the Gas & transit field. The supermarket calculation assumes a full calendar year with the cap unused.

Current introductory APR lasts 12 months for purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable 19.49%–28.49% APR. Transfer requests must be within 60 days, and fees apply. Interest costs can outweigh rewards.

Verify eligibility, exclusions and your offer in Amex's current product and benefit terms.

Who This Card Is For

→People with qualifying supermarket spending who compare the extra rewards against the recurring fee and alternatives.
→Existing eligible streaming subscribers who can use the enrolled monthly credit without spending more.

Who Should Skip This Card

→People whose main grocery merchants are excluded superstores or warehouse clubs.
→People expecting unlimited 6% supermarket rewards.
→People who carry interest-bearing balances or need a card without foreign transaction fees.

How It Compares

Card	Annual Fee	Best Rate
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express (this card)	$95	6%
American Express Gold CardBest for Dining & Groceries	$325	4X
Citi Double Cash CardBest No-Fee Cashback Card	$0	2%
Chase Freedom UnlimitedBest No-Fee Card with Category Bonuses	$0	1.5%

Frequently Asked Questions