Updated: November 18, 2024
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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card both offer lucrative cash back rewards, but the Blue Cash Preferred edges ahead with its higher rewards rate on supermarkets and streaming services.
While the U.S. Bank Cash+ card's no annual fee is appealing, the Blue Cash Preferred’s higher cash back in key categories can offset its annual fee, making it the superior choice if you spend heavily in those areas.
You might prefer the Blue Cash Preferred if you spend a significant amount on groceries and streaming services. The 6% cash back in these categories can quickly offset the annual fee after the first year, making it a strong choice for maximizing cash back on everyday purchases.
You might prefer the U.S. Bank Cash+® if you value flexibility in your rewards and want to avoid annual fees. With the ability to choose two 5% cash back categories each quarter, you can tailor the rewards to fit your spending habits, making it a versatile option for savvy spenders.
Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. This section breaks down each aspect, such as the Blue Cash Preferred's high cash back at supermarkets versus the U.S. Bank Cash+'s customizable rewards.
Regular APR: Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred card is slightly better due to its lower starting APR of 18.74%, compared with the U.S. Bank Cash+'s 19.74%.
Annual Fee: U.S. Bank Cash+
The U.S. Bank Cash+ is better for avoiding annual fees, offering a $0 annual fee, compared with the Blue Cash Preferred, which has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Introductory 0% APRs: U.S. Bank Cash+
The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers a better introductory 0% APR feature, with a 15 month for both purchases and balance transfers, compared with the 12 months offered by the Blue Cash Preferred. Both cards charge a balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5).
Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred card is better for rewards, offering 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, plus 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit.
Welcome Offers: U.S. Bank Cash+
The U.S. Bank Cash+ card offers a better welcome bonus, providing a $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 120 days, translating to a higher return on investment than the Blue Cash Preferred's $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
Recommended Credit Score: Tie
Both the Blue Cash Preferred and the U.S. Bank Cash+ require a credit score in the range of 670 to 850, categorized as good to excellent.
Penalties and Fees: U.S. Bank Cash+
The U.S. Bank Cash+ edges out slightly due to its lack of a penalty APR, despite having a marginally higher late fee than the Blue Cash Preferred. Both cards impose similar fees for cash advances and foreign transactions, but the absence of a penalty APR with U.S. Bank Cash+ could be a deciding factor.
Issuer Satisfaction: Blue Cash Preferred
American Express outperforms U.S. Bank in issuer satisfaction, with a rating of 5.0 compared to 3.5.
Other Features & Perks: Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred card offers up to $120 in annual statement credits for an Equinox+ subscription and a $7 per month statement credit for the Disney Bundle. The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers no additional perks.
The Blue Cash Preferred leads with an impressive cash back rate, particularly at U.S. supermarkets and for select streaming services. Its rewards structure is straightforward and highly rewarding for everyday essentials.
The U.S. Bank Cash+ card's most compelling feature is its customizable 5% cash back categories, which can be tailored to your spending habits. The eligible pick-your-own categories for the 5% cash back include fast food, home utilities, TV, internet and streaming, department stores, cell phone providers, electronics stores, sporting goods stores, movie theaters, gyms/fitness centers, furniture stores, ground transportation, and select clothing stores. These categories offer flexibility and can adapt to changing spending patterns, but require quarterly action to maintain the benefits.
For the 2% cash back everyday category with the U.S. Bank Cash+, choices include grocery stores and grocery delivery, restaurants, gas stations and EV charging stations. These categories offer a high degree of personalization, catering to a variety of spending profiles. For more details on these categories, cardholders should review the latest enrollment options.
The U.S. Bank Cash+ could be more beneficial for those who spend significantly in its 5% categories not covered by the Blue Cash Preferred, such as electronics stores or gyms. The table shows a visual comparison of the rewards programs:
Category | Blue Cash Preferred | U.S. Bank Cash+ |
|---|---|---|
U.S. Supermarkets | 6% for the first $6,000 annually/1% thereafter | 1% |
U.S. Streaming Subscriptions | 6% | 1% (5% customizable) |
U.S. Gas Stations | 3% | 2% if chosen as everyday category |
Transit | 3% | 1% |
Two Categories of Choice | 1% | 5% (up to $2,000 purchase limit per quarter) |
One Everyday Category of Choice | 1% | 2% |
All Other Purchases | 1% | 1% |
The Blue Cash Preferred allows you to redeem rewards as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout, with the added benefit of no expiration date. On the other hand, the U.S. Bank Cash+ offers redemption for a statement credit or a direct deposit into a U.S. Bank account, but cash back expires after 36 months. You'll need to stay on top of your redemptions with the U.S. Bank Cash+ to ensure you don't lose out on earned cash back.
MoneyGeek assesses and analyzes credit cards like the Blue Cash Preferred and the U.S. Bank Cash+ using a tailored ranking process for various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.
For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.
The Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 intro fee, then $95. The U.S. Bank Cash+ has no fee. Alternative cards with no annual fee are available.
The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers 0% for 18 months on balance transfers and 15 months on purchases, making it the better [balance transfer card](](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer/best-balance-transfer-credit-cards/). The Blue Cash Preferred offers 0% for 12 months on both.
The Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% back at supermarkets.
Yes, with the U.S. Bank Cash+, is a choose your own cash back card, allowing you to pick 2 categories to earn 5% cash back.
Both cards recommend a credit score of 670 to 850.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express, please click here.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
