Is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or American Express® Gold Card better?

It depends on your spending. The Blue Cash Preferred has a net annual cost of $11 after credits, while the Gold Card costs $-99 net. Compare their earning rates and benefits to see which matches your spending habits.

What is the annual fee difference between the Blue Cash Preferred and Gold Card?

The Blue Cash Preferred has a $95 annual fee and the Gold Card has a $325 annual fee. However, both cards offer statement credits that reduce the effective cost.

Can I have both the Blue Cash Preferred and Gold Card?

Both cards are issued by American Express, so you can hold both simultaneously. Having both lets you maximize earning rates across different spending categories.

Side-by-side comparison

Blue Cash Preferred vs Gold Card

American Express

Blue Cash Preferred

$95/yr

Apply at Amex

American Express

Gold Card

$325/yr

Apply at Amex

Basics

Annual fee

$95/yr

$325/yr

Rewards type

Cash back

Amex Membership Rewards

Annual credits

$84/yr

$424/yr

Net cost (fee − credits)

$11/yr

$-99/yr

Earning rates

All other spending

1x pts

Groceries

4x pts

Streaming

—

Transit

—

Gas & EV Charging

—

Dining

—

4x pts

Flights

—

3x pts

Hotels

—

2x pts

Credits & Benefits

Up to $84 Disney Bundle Credit

$84/yr

—

Up to $120 Dining Credit

—

$120/yr

Up to $100 Resy Credit

—

$50/yr

Up to $84 Dunkin' Credit

—

$84/yr

Up to $120 Uber Cash

—

$120/yr

Which card should you pick?

After accounting for credits and benefits, the Gold Card has a lower net annual cost ($-99/yr vs $11/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred), making it the more cost-effective choice if you use the credits.

The Blue Cash Preferred stands out with 6% on groceries, while the Gold Card leads with 4x pts on dining. Pick the card that matches where you spend the most each month.

Full Blue Cash Preferred review →Full Gold Card review →

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you if you apply for a card through our links.

Side-by-side comparison

Blue Cash Preferred vs Gold Card

American Express

Blue Cash Preferred

$95/yr

Apply at Amex

American Express

Gold Card

$325/yr

Apply at Amex

Basics

Annual fee

$95/yr

$325/yr

Rewards type

Cash back

Amex Membership Rewards

Annual credits

$84/yr

$424/yr

Net cost (fee − credits)

$11/yr

$-99/yr

Earning rates

All other spending

1x pts

Groceries

4x pts

Streaming

—

Transit

—

Gas & EV Charging

—

Dining

—

4x pts

Flights

—

3x pts

Hotels

—

2x pts

Credits & Benefits

Up to $84 Disney Bundle Credit

$84/yr

—

Up to $120 Dining Credit

—

$120/yr

Up to $100 Resy Credit

—

$50/yr

Up to $84 Dunkin' Credit

—

$84/yr

Up to $120 Uber Cash

—

$120/yr

Which card should you pick?

After accounting for credits and benefits, the Gold Card has a lower net annual cost ($-99/yr vs $11/yr for the Blue Cash Preferred), making it the more cost-effective choice if you use the credits.

The Blue Cash Preferred stands out with 6% on groceries, while the Gold Card leads with 4x pts on dining. Pick the card that matches where you spend the most each month.

Full Blue Cash Preferred review →Full Gold Card review →

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you if you apply for a card through our links.