Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Both the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offer lucrative cash back rewards and introductory APR periods. However, the Freedom Unlimited edges ahead with its slightly higher cash back score and no annual fee, making it a compelling choice for many. However, the Blue Cash Preferred's higher cash back rates on supermarkets and streaming services can outweigh its annual fee if these are significant categories in your budget. While both cards are excellent, your preference for avoiding annual fees or maximizing specific rewards categories will guide your decision.

You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if you spend significantly on groceries and streaming services. With 6% cash back in these categories and 3% at gas stations and on transit, this card offers substantial rewards for everyday spending. The $250 statement credit is a lucrative introductory offer, but be mindful of the $95 annual fee after the first year.

You might prefer Freedom Unlimited if you're looking for a card with flexible rewards and no annual fee. The additional 1.5% cash back in the first year can be advantageous, especially for those who travel and dine out frequently. The longer 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers can provide valuable financial flexibility.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and additional features will clarify which card aligns with your spending and financial goals. For instance, if you spend heavily at U.S. supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred may offer more value, whereas the Freedom Unlimited could be more rewarding for those who dine out frequently.

The Blue Cash Preferred offers an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%, and the same rate on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. It's tailored for those who spend heavily in these categories.

On the other hand, the Freedom Unlimited is a strong contender for dining and drugstore purchases, offering 3% cash back. Its 1.5% cash back on all other purchases also provides consistent value across the board.

While the Blue Cash Preferred has a higher expected reward value, the Freedom Unlimited may be more rewarding for those who dine out frequently or spend a lot at drugstores. Neither card restricts your rewards with a "pick your own" category, allowing you to earn cash back across all listed categories without having to choose.

The table below details bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards at a glance.

With the Blue Cash Preferred, you can apply rewards directly to your statement or use them at Amazon.com checkout, ensuring your cash back is always accessible.

The Freedom Unlimited offers a broader range of options, including cash back redemption without a minimum requirement, statement credits, direct deposits and even using points for purchases on Amazon or travel bookings.

Importantly, rewards on both cards do not expire, granting you the flexibility to redeem them on your own schedule.

In assessing the Blue Cash Preferred and Freedom Unlimited cards, MoneyGeek uses a tailored ranking process that evaluates each card across various use cases. For this comparison, the cards are scored based on their highest-scoring use case, which is cash back for both.

The most significant factors in these scores are the cash back value of the rewards program and the overall return on investment of the card's offers.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express, please click here.