Choosing between the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) and the Citi Double Cash Card (no annual fee) 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 NowUnlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Earns a solid 2.0% on everything else.
Perfect if: You're comfortable booking through the issuer's own site for the best rate.
Apply Now| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Citi Double Cash Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $300 after $3,000 spend in 6 months | $200 after $1,500 spend in 6 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% | 3% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.0% | 2.0% |
| Travel Rewards | 3% | 2% |
| Groceries Rewards | 6% (up to $6,000/yr) | 2% |
| Gas Rewards | 3% | 2% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
None |
5% through Citi Travel Earns 5% only on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel, Citi's own booking site. Travel booked anywhere else earns the flat 2%. |
| Key Benefits | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and streaming, 3% on transit and gas. | Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. |
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express pulls ahead for travel, groceries, gas spending.
Citi Double Cash Card wins on dining.
The $95/year fee difference means Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express 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). 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.