Capital One Savor vs. Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card Comparison

Name: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
Item: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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Both the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express offer lucrative cash back rewards, particularly in categories like groceries and entertainment. The Savor Cash edges ahead with its slightly higher cash back score and no annual fee, especially if you value simplicity and savings.

Although it has an annual fee after the first year, Blue Cash Preferred has an exceptional rewards rate on supermarket and streaming purchases. If you spend heavily in these categories, don't overlook this card.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ of 5

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.74%–29.74% variable
18.49%–29.49% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
0% on purchases for 12 months
Intro Offer
Earn $250 cash back
Earn $250 statement credit
Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–8% cash back
Earn 1%–6% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
0% on balance transfers for 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of each transfer ($5 minimum)
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Annual Fee
$0
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95*
Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)
670–850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
Up to 29.99% (variable)
29.99% variable
Not sure?
The Savor offers a longer 0% introductory APR period and no annual fee, making it a strong contender for those who want to save on interest and avoid yearly charges.
In contrast, the Blue Cash Preferred provides higher cash back rates on U.S. supermarket and streaming service purchases. It can be more lucrative for heavy spenders in these categories despite its annual fee after the first year.
Choose Savor for broader rewards and no annual fee or Blue Cash Preferred for higher rewards in supermarket and streaming categories.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Capital One Savor if your budget focuses on dining, entertainment and travel. With generous cash back in these areas, a substantial welcome offer and no annual fee, it's a compelling choice for those who want to maximize rewards in these categories.

You might prefer the Amex Blue Cash Preferred if you spend significantly on groceries and streaming services. With its high cash back rates in these categories and additional gas and transit rewards, it can be a lucrative option despite its annual fee after the first year.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will clarify each card's strengths and empower you to choose one that aligns with your spending patterns and financial objectives. For instance, Savor's broader reward categories could be more beneficial for varied spending. However, Blue Cash Preferred may appeal to you more if you spend heavily on groceries and want higher cash back in this category.

Regular APR: Blue Cash Preferred

The Blue Cash Preferred offers a lower interest rate, with a starting APR of 18.74%, compared to the Savor's starting APR of 19.99%. The Blue Cash Preferred is the better option for those concerned with regular APR.

Annual Fee: Savor

The Savor is better for those looking to avoid annual fees altogether, offering a $0 annual fee. In contrast, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Introductory 0% APRs: Savor

For introductory 0% APRs, the Savor is superior, offering 15 months of 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers, compared to the Blue Cash Preferred's 12 months.

Rewards: Blue Cash Preferred

The Blue Cash Preferred offers better rewards, especially for everyday spending, with a 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. It also provides 3% cash at U.S. gas stations and on transit. The Blue Cash Preferred is more rewarding for typical household expenses due to its effective reward rate of 4.4, which is slightly higher than the Savor's 4.2.

Welcome Offers: Savor

The Savor offers a better welcome bonus, providing a $200 cash bonus for only $500 spent in the first three months, compared to the Blue Cash Preferred's $250 for a $3,000 spend in six months.

Recommended Credit Score: Tie

Both the Savor and the Blue Cash Preferred require a credit score range of 670 to 850, indicating they are accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit.

Penalties and Fees: Savor

The Savor is more favorable for penalties and fees due to its 0% foreign transaction fee, compared to the Blue Cash Preferred's 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Both cards have similar late fees and cash advance fees.

Issuer Satisfaction: Blue Cash Preferred

The Blue Cash Preferred is issued by American Express, which has a higher issuer satisfaction rating, making it the better choice for those who value customer service and issuer interaction.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks that cater to different lifestyles. The Blue Cash Preferred provides valuable statement credits for Equinox+ subscriptions and the Disney Bundle, appealing to families and fitness enthusiasts. The Savor provides statement credits for Uber services, catering to frequent travelers and diners. Choosing between them depends on which perks align more closely with your spending habits.

Rewards Comparison

The Blue Cash Preferred offers an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize grocery and digital entertainment spending. It also offers 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, which can add up for commuters and travelers.

In contrast, Savor offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, appealing to those who frequently dine out or spend on leisure activities. Its 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 5% on travel booked through Capital One Travel are notable for avid event-goers and travelers.

The Blue Cash Preferred card offers a higher reward rate on groceries and gas, while the Savor Cash is more rewarding for dining and entertainment. The table below outlines the bonus categories to help you compare each card's rewards program at a glance.

Category	Savor	Blue Cash Preferred
U.S. Supermarkets	3% (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)	6% for the first $6,000 annually, then 1%
Streaming Services	3%	6%
U.S. Gas Stations	1%	3%
Transit	1%/3% if purchased through portal	3%
Dining	3%	1%
Entertainment	3%	1%
Hotels and Rental Cars Booked on Capital One Travel	5%	N/A
Capital One Entertainment Purchases	8%	N/A
All Other Purchases	1%	1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Blue Cash Preferred lets you redeem your cash back as a statement credit or use it at Amazon.com checkout, offering a straightforward way to reduce your card balance or save on purchases. These rewards do not expire, giving you flexibility in timing your redemptions.

The Savor card also provides flexibility in redemption. You can request cash back as a statement credit or a check and even set up automatic redemptions annually or when reaching a certain threshold. You can redeem for past purchases, gift cards and more. Like the Blue Cash Preferred, Savor Cash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.

Methodology

MoneyGeek offers insights and reviews on credit card options like the Savor and Blue Cash Preferred based on their performance in various use cases. For this comparison, we focus on the cash back use case. The largest contributors to the cash back score are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers.

FAQ: Savor vs. Blue Cash Preferred

What are the annual fees for each card?

Blue Cash Preferred has a $0 intro annual fee, then $95. Savor has no annual fee.

Which card offers better rewards for grocery purchases?

Blue Cash Preferred offers a higher 6% cash back at supermarkets. Savor offers 3% cash back.

How do the introductory APR offers compare between the two cards?

Savor has 0% APR for 15 months. Blue Cash Preferred offers 0% for 12 months.

Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

Savor has no foreign transaction fees. Blue Cash Preferred charges 2.7%.

What is the introductory cash back offer for each card?

Blue Cash Preferred offers $250 introductory cash back. Savor offers $200.

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.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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