Choosing between the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) and the American Express Gold Card ($325/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
Strongest in groceries at 6% (up to $6,000/yr). 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and streaming, 3% on transit and gas.
Perfect if: Your monthly spending stays within the bonus cap for maximum value.
Apply NowStrongest in dining at 4% (up to $50,000/yr). 4X points at restaurants worldwide, 4X on U.S. supermarkets, 3X on flights.
Perfect if: You spend enough in bonus categories to easily offset the annual fee.
Apply Now| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $325 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $300 after $3,000 spend in 6 months | 100,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Travel Rewards | 3% | 1% |
| Dining Rewards | 1% | 4% (up to $50,000/yr) |
| Groceries Rewards | 6% (up to $6,000/yr) | 4% (up to $25,000/yr) |
| Gas Rewards | 3% | 1% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
None |
3% on flights Earns 3% only on flights booked direct with the airline or on AmexTravel.com. Hotels, car rentals and cruises earn 1%. |
| Key Benefits | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and streaming, 3% on transit and gas. | 4X points at restaurants worldwide, 4X on U.S. supermarkets, 3X on flights. |
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express pulls ahead for travel, groceries, gas spending.
American Express Gold Card wins on dining.
The $230/year fee difference means American Express Gold Card needs to earn about that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express carries $120/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings), while American Express Gold Card carries $424/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings). Those only count if you’d actually use them. Worth checking against your own habits before treating them as a discount on the fee.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.
Enter your typical monthly spending and we’ll show you exactly which card earns more, including fees and bonuses.