The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express sits among the elite in cash-back credit cards and is perhaps the ideal card for families, media streamers and travelers.

It offers an eye-popping 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year, 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and a generous 3% back on transit including U.S. gas stations, plus 1% cash back on everything else. Terms apply. Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit when your rewards total at least $25. Gift cards and merchandise are also available.

Those premier rewards come at an annual cost. There’s a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Still, the card’s high rewards rates will more than make up for the fee for many cardholders, especially those with families. The decision becomes a break-even analysis: Will you spend enough on the card, especially on transit and supermarkets, to quickly cover its cost and start earning a profit?

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Earn generous cash-back rewards on supermarket spending

One of the most attractive features of this card is the industry-leading cash-back rate of 6% on U.S. supermarket purchases, up to a maximum of $6,000 per year. Beyond this cap, you’ll continue to earn 1% cash back. 

According to the latest Consumer Expenditure Survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family of four spends approximately $6,200 annually on groceries, along with additional amounts on household supplies and personal care products, which can also be purchased at supermarkets. For such families, the 6% cash-back rate could translate to $360 in savings.

However, it’s important to note that the 6% cash-back rewards are limited to U.S. supermarkets. American Express specifies that wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club, superstores such as Target and Walmart, specialty food stores, and other retailers are not classified as supermarkets. Thus, it’s crucial to consider both the amount and location of your grocery spending.

Earn Big Rewards on Streaming Services

While the 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket spending is limited to $6,000 per year, there is no cap on the 6% cash back offered on eligible U.S. streaming services. This is great news for cord-cutters who subscribe to popular services such as Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, or Spotify. By paying with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can save money on these services. While you may not spend as much on streaming as you do at supermarkets, 6% is a significant percentage in cash back. However, note that if your streaming subscription is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party such as a cable or phone company, your purchase may not be eligible for the 6% back. Terms and conditions apply.

Rewards on Transit

The 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations is one of the highest rewards you can get, and there is no limit to the rewards. This is particularly beneficial for car commuters and owners of gas-guzzling vehicles. However, there are restrictions. The higher gas rewards are only available at traditional stand-alone gas stations, and gas purchased at warehouse clubs, superstores, and supermarkets does not qualify for the 3% cash back. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express makes the card even more valuable for people living in big cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, Portland, Jacksonville, San Francisco and Houston by adding transit as a 3% bonus category. This includes spending on rideshares, tolls, taxis, buses, trains, and parking. This is a significant advantage for those who rely on public transportation or other means of transportation that do not require filling up at the pump. 

Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a welcome bonus, something that not all cash-back credit cards provide. By spending $3,000 on purchases with the card within the first 6 months, new cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit. Terms and conditions apply. This welcome bonus is more than enough to cover the annual fee for a while.

The Discover It Card is a popular credit card offered by Discover Financial Services. With a wide range of features and benefits, the Discover It Card is a popular choice for many consumers. In this blog, we will provide a detailed review of the Discover It Card from the perspective of a customer. We will also include a features list, pros and cons list, and other information that will help you decide if the Discover it Card is the right credit card for you.

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Generous Welcome Bonus for New Cardholders

Another great perk for new cardholders is the Discover it Card’s $100 signup bonus when signing up from our referral link. To qualify for the bonus, cardholders must make $500 in purchases within the first three months of opening their account. This is a great way to jumpstart your cash back earnings and get some extra value out of the card.

Discover has a unique feature called Cashback Match, which matches all the cash back earned in the first year of card membership. For example, if a cardholder earns $200 in cash back rewards during the first year, Discover will match it with another $200, for a total of $400 in cash back rewards.

Cashback Rewards Program

One of the main features of the Discover it Card is its cash back rewards program. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on rotating categories that change every quarter, up to a maximum of $1,500 in purchases each quarter. The categories for 5% cash back are predetermined by Discover and can include things like gas stations, restaurants, and online shopping.

In addition to the rotating categories, cardholders can also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, Discover has a unique feature called Cashback Match, which matches all the cash back earned in the first year of card membership. For example, if a cardholder earns $200 in cash back rewards during the first year, Discover will match it with another $200, for a total of $400 in cash back rewards.

It’s worth noting that the cash back rewards earned with the Discover it Card do not expire as long as the account is open and in good standing. This means that cardholders can accumulate rewards over time and redeem them whenever they like. Additionally, Discover offers a variety of redemption options for cash back rewards, including statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, and charitable donations.

Overall, the cash back rewards program and signup bonus are attractive features of the Discover it Card. With the ability to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, cardholders can earn significant rewards on their everyday spending. Plus, the Cashback Match feature and $100 signup bonus offer additional value for new cardholders.