If you want a great way to earn rewards on everyday purchases, American Express cash back cards are an excellent choice. To help you find the right card, we’ve looked at all the options and picked the best cards for different needs.
Our Top Picks for 2025:
* Best for Groceries & Streaming: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
* Best for No Annual Fee Flexibility: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
* Best for Simple, Flat-Rate Rewards: American Express Cash Magnet® Card
This guide will explain each card in detail, compare them side by side, and give you expert tips to help you earn the most rewards possible.
Complete Card Reviews
Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Quick Overview
- Rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%); 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations; 1% on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Who Should Get This Card
- People or families who spend a lot on groceries.
- Users who pay for multiple streaming services (like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+).
- People who commute and can use the transit and gas rewards.
What It’s Like to Use This Card
The 6% rewards categories are what make the Blue Cash Preferred card special. A 6% return on U.S. supermarket purchases is one of the best rates you can find and can add up to serious money for anyone who buys groceries regularly. In our experience, the rewards build up much faster than with almost any other cash back card. We found that for a family spending just $400 a month at U.S. supermarkets, the cash back earned ($288 per year) easily covers the annual fee after the first year. The rewards feel meaningful and make a real difference on your statement balance.
The 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions is also a great modern benefit. This includes popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple Music, and Spotify, turning your monthly entertainment bills into something that earns you money back. The 3% categories add even more practical value. The transit category covers a lot of ground, including not just public transportation like trains and buses, but also rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, taxis, parking fees, and tolls. This makes it valuable for daily commuters and city residents. The 3% back at U.S. gas stations is a solid rate that makes the card useful for everyday errands.
Is the annual fee worth it? The math is simple. To make up for the $95 annual fee with just the 6% grocery category, you need to spend about $1,583 per year at U.S. supermarkets. That’s just over $132 per month, or about $31 per week. If you spend more than about $31 per week at U.S. supermarkets, this card’s rewards will be worth more than its annual fee. For most households, reaching this amount is easy, making the Blue Cash Preferred a clear winner for getting the most back on daily essentials.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card
Quick Overview
- Rewards: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in each category, then 1%). 1% on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. This card also features a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening.
Who Should Get This Card
- Users who want good bonus categories without paying an annual fee.
- Online shoppers who can take advantage of the 3% U.S. online retail category.
- Those whose grocery spending doesn’t make the Blue Cash Preferred’s fee worth it.
- People planning a large purchase or balance transfer who could benefit from an intro APR period.
What It’s Like to Use This Card
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card stands out among no-annual-fee cards by offering three strong 3% bonus categories. While the 3% back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations is competitive, the 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases is what really sets it apart. This category is very broad and useful in today’s digital world, covering purchases from major online retailers to smaller brand websites. In our testing, the flexibility of this card is its biggest strength. We’ve used it for everything from weekly groceries to online holiday shopping and regular Amazon Subscribe & Save orders, and the rewards add up consistently without the pressure of an annual fee.
The spending limit of $6,000 per year in each of the three bonus categories is generous for a no-fee card, letting you earn up to $180 in each category (for a total of $540) before the rate drops to 1%. For most people, this limit is more than enough. The card offers a perfect balance for those who want better rewards but whose spending habits don’t quite make the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred worth it. If you spend less than $132 per month on groceries, or if you simply prefer to avoid annual fees, the Blue Cash Everyday card is an excellent choice. It delivers real value across the most common spending areas for modern households, making it a reliable and rewarding main credit card.
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
Quick Overview
- Rewards: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. This card also often comes with an introductory 0% APR on purchases for 15 months.
Who Should Get This Card
- Users who value simplicity and predictability above all else.
- People whose spending doesn’t fit with specific bonus categories (like lots of spending on hobbies, services, or non-supermarket food).
- Someone looking for a reliable “catch-all” card to pair with other rewards cards.
- Beginners to credit card rewards.
What It’s Like to Use This Card
The American Express Cash Magnet® Card is the definition of easy rewards. In a world of complex bonus categories and spending caps, this card offers simple elegance: a flat, unlimited 1.5% cash back on every single purchase. There’s no need to track categories, activate quarterly bonuses, or think about which card to use at which store. You know that no matter what you buy, you’re earning a rate that’s 50% higher than the standard 1% offered by many other cards.
From our perspective, this card is a perfect starter cash back card. It’s an ideal choice for someone just beginning their rewards journey who wants a card that’s easy to understand and use. It’s also an incredibly useful tool for experienced rewards users. Many people have spending that falls outside of typical bonus categories, such as medical bills, insurance payments, home repairs, or tuition. For these types of large, uncategorized purchases, a 1.5% return is much better than the 1% base rate on cards like the Blue Cash Preferred. This makes the Cash Magnet card an excellent second card, designed to “catch” all the spending that doesn’t earn a bonus on your main card. The combination of a solid, unlimited rewards rate and a $0 annual fee makes it a valuable and versatile addition to any wallet.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Seeing the cards side-by-side is the easiest way to find the right fit for your spending habits. The main difference is the trade-off between a higher annual fee for top rewards versus the flexibility and simplicity of a no-annual-fee card. Each card is designed for a different type of user, and figuring out which one you are is the key to making the right choice.
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred® | Blue Cash Everyday® | Cash Magnet® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 intro, then $95 | $0 | $0 |
| Top Reward Rate | 6% (Groceries, Streaming) | 3% (Groceries, Gas, Online Retail) | 1.5% (Flat Rate) |
| “Everything Else” Rate | 1% | 1% | 1.5% |
| Welcome Bonus | Earn a $250 statement credit | Earn a $200 statement credit | Earn a $150 statement credit |
| Ideal User | High-spending families, commuters | Budget-conscious online shoppers | Simplicity seekers, beginners |
Choosing Based on Spending
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If you are the main grocery shopper for a family:
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is almost certainly your best option. The 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in U.S. supermarket spending per year ($360) makes the $95 annual fee an excellent investment. If your family easily spends over $132 per month on groceries, this card will pay for itself and give you hundreds of dollars in additional rewards. The extra benefits on streaming, gas, and transit are significant bonuses that make it even more valuable for household managers. -
If you are a smart online shopper and want no annual fee:
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card is the clear winner. Its 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases is a standout feature for a no-annual-fee card, perfectly matching its rewards on groceries and gas. If you do a lot of your shopping online, from Amazon to your favorite clothing brands, this card is made for you. It offers a fantastic balance of rewarding bonus categories and cost-effectiveness, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers who still want to earn meaningful rewards. -
If you hate tracking categories and want one simple card:
The American Express Cash Magnet® Card is designed for you. The unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase provides great value without any mental effort. It’s a reliable workhorse. This card is perfect if your spending is spread across many different areas that don’t fit neatly into bonus categories. It ensures you’re always getting a solid return, making it an ideal “set-it-and-forget-it” option for those who prioritize simplicity.
The Amex System
To truly get the most back, consider using two complementary american express cash back cards. This “pairing” strategy lets you use the right card for the right purchase, ensuring you always earn the highest rate possible. It’s an expert-level technique that moves you from earning good rewards to earning the best rewards.
The “Power Couple” Strategy
The most effective pairing in the Amex cash back lineup is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card and the American Express Cash Magnet® Card. The Blue Cash Preferred covers your high-value bonus categories, while the Cash Magnet raises your earnings on all other non-bonus spending from 1% to 1.5%.
Let’s imagine a household with the following annual spending:
* U.S. Supermarkets: $6,000
* U.S. Gas Stations: $2,000
* Select U.S. Streaming: $500
* Other General Purchases: $15,000
Scenario 1: Using only the Blue Cash Preferred®
- Groceries: $6,000 x 6% = $360
- Gas: $2,000 x 3% = $60
- Streaming: $500 x 6% = $30
- Other: $15,000 x 1% = $150
- Minus Annual Fee: -$95
- Total Net Rewards: $505
Scenario 2: Pairing Blue Cash Preferred® + Cash Magnet®
- Groceries (on BCP): $6,000 x 6% = $360
- Gas (on BCP): $2,000 x 3% = $60
- Streaming (on BCP): $500 x 6% = $30
- Other (on Cash Magnet): $15,000 x 1.5% = $225
- Minus BCP Annual Fee: -$95
- Total Net Rewards: $580
By strategically pairing these two cards, this household earns an extra $75 per year with no additional annual fees. This strategy covers all your spending with a better rewards rate, ensuring you never have to settle for the standard 1% on your general spending. It’s a simple change that gives you a significant increase in your overall cash back.
Beyond the Rate
A card’s value isn’t just its cash back percentage. With Amex, the experience of using your rewards and the extra benefits you get can significantly add to the overall value. These benefits are often overlooked but are a core part of the premium experience that comes with being a cardmember.
Using Your Cash Back
One of the best features of amex cash back cards is how simple it is to use your rewards. American Express makes it incredibly easy to access and use the rewards you’ve earned.
* How it Works: Cash back is earned as “Reward Dollars” which appear in your online account. These can be used for a statement credit in just a few clicks.
* Minimum to Use: You can use your rewards as soon as your balance reaches $25.
* Our Experience: We find the process to be seamless. Using rewards for a statement credit directly lowers your account balance, providing a clear and satisfying way to enjoy your earnings without the hassle of navigating complex rewards portals or being forced into gift cards or merchandise. It feels like getting a direct discount on your spending.
Getting Amex Offers
This is a major benefit that many users underestimate but can provide huge value.
* What it is: Amex Offers is a targeted deals program available in your Amex account or app. You see a list of offers from various merchants spanning retail, dining, travel, and services. You simply add an offer to your card and get a statement credit when you make a qualifying purchase.
* Real-World Value: It’s not uncommon to save hundreds of dollars per year by taking advantage of offers for purchases you would have made anyway. For example, an offer like “Spend $50, get $10 back” at a favorite restaurant is a direct 20% discount. We’ve seen valuable offers from brands like Dell, Best Buy, Lululemon, and various hotel chains.
* Pro Tip: We recommend checking for new Amex Offers once a week. They are constantly updated, and the best ones can be limited in the number of people who can enroll. Making this a regular habit can dramatically increase the “effective” cash back rate of your card, turning a great card into an outstanding one.
Key Things to Consider
Before you hit “apply” for any new credit card, it’s wise to take a step back and review a few final, important points. This ensures you’re making a well-informed decision that aligns with your financial health and goals.
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Credit Score: American Express cards generally require a good to excellent credit score. While Amex doesn’t publish a hard minimum, applicants with a FICO score of 670 or higher typically have the strongest chance of approval. We recommend checking your credit score from a free source before applying to understand where you stand.
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Welcome Offer Terms: Always pay close attention to the details of the welcome offer. Note the minimum spending requirement and the timeframe you have to meet it (like $3,000 in 6 months). It’s important to ensure you can meet this threshold through your normal, planned spending. Never overspend just to earn a bonus, as the interest you might pay would cancel out the value of the reward.
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Business vs. Personal: The cards discussed in this guide are personal consumer cards. They are designed for household and individual expenses. If you are a small business owner, a freelancer, or have significant side-job expenses, you should explore the lineup of American Express business cards. These cards offer different reward structures and benefits tailored to business spending.
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The Amex Network: While American Express is accepted at the vast majority of merchants in the U.S., its global acceptance isn’t as universal as that of Visa or Mastercard. If you are a frequent international traveler, it’s a smart strategy to carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup for smaller shops or restaurants abroad. For domestic use, however, this is rarely an issue.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the best American Express cash back card is the one that aligns perfectly with your budget and spending habits. There is no single “best” card for everyone, but there is a best card for you.
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For maximum rewards on household spending, especially groceries and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card is in a class of its own, delivering returns that easily justify its annual fee for many families.
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For versatile, no-fee rewards with a powerful punch for online shopping, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card offers unbeatable flexibility and value.
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For ultimate simplicity and a solid, predictable return on every single purchase, the American Express Cash Magnet® Card is the perfect, effortless choice.
By taking a few minutes to review your monthly spending, you can confidently select the card that will put the most money back in your pocket. Choose the one that fits your life, and start earning rewards on every swipe.
