Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs US Bank Cash+
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins 3-2. Suburban families with kids, best US-supermarket card. US Bank Cash+ is still the right call if 5% on 2 chosen categories + 2% on 1 chosen, fully customizable..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | US Bank Cash+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (shopping) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | 2.7% | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months | = $200 statement credit after $1,000 spend in 120 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
US Bank Cash+
- 5% on 2 categories you choose ($2,000 quarterly cap)
- 2% on 1 chosen everyday category (gas, grocery, restaurants)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
- Quarterly category swap
FAQ
›Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs US Bank Cash+: which is better?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories, US Bank Cash+ for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months. US Bank Cash+: $200 statement credit after $1,000 spend in 120 days.