Credit Card Comparison: Gold American Express vs. Blue Cash Preferred – Your Spending Patterns Decide the Victor
In the world of credit cards, two standout options for food and dining enthusiasts are the American Express® Gold Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. While both cards offer impressive rewards, they differ significantly in their earning rates, redemption options, and additional perks.
Rewards on Food and Dining:
- Amex Gold Card: Earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year). This card also offers lifestyle perks like an annual dining credit at select restaurants and Uber Cash for food delivery.
- Blue Cash Preferred Card: Offers a higher cash-back rate of 6% on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year), 3% on transit and U.S. gas, and 1% on other purchases. It also gives 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, adding category diversity.
Redemption Options:
- Amex Gold Card: Points are Membership Rewards, which can be redeemed flexibly — for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. However, the statement credit value for points redemption is about 0.6 cents per point.
- Blue Cash Preferred Card: Rewards are earned as Reward Dollars, redeemable only for statement credits against your card balance or purchases at Amazon.com, effectively offering a straight 6% cash back on groceries.
Which Card Is Better?
- If you want straightforward, high-value cash back, especially if your annual grocery spend is under $6,000, the Blue Cash Preferred typically delivers more cash-back value, with simpler redemption as statement credits.
- If you value flexible reward redemption, bonus earnings on dining out (4X points internationally at restaurants), and travel perks, the Amex Gold is a better choice, especially if you spend more than about $6,000 yearly at supermarkets and value points over 1.5 cents each.
Here's a summary table to help you decide:
|Feature|Amex Gold Card|Blue Cash Preferred Card| |-|-|-| |Grocery rewards|4X points (up to $25,000/year)|6% cash back (up to $6,000/year)| |Dining rewards|4X points at restaurants worldwide|No extra dining bonus| |Rewards type|Membership Rewards points|Reward Dollars (cash back)| |Redemption|Flexible (travel, gift cards, statement credit at ~0.6¢/point)|Statement credit or Amazon checkout (straight cash back)| |Annual fee|$325|$0 first year, then $95| |Perks|Dining and Uber credits, travel perks|High cash back on groceries and streaming services|
In conclusion, for food and dining rewards, choose the Blue Cash Preferred if you want higher cash back on groceries and simple redemption. Choose the Amex Gold if you want solid dining rewards worldwide plus flexible points redemption and travel benefits. Your decision depends on your spending patterns and how you prefer to use rewards.
- The American Express® Gold Card has a $325 annual fee.
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a lower annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Reward Dollars earned with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can be redeemed only for statement credits that reduce your balance.
- American Express® Gold Card cardholders receive annual dining credits, Uber Cash credit, and other perks.
- The American Express® Gold Card is the better choice for supplementing travel budgets with rewards from the card, provided that cardholders are willing to put in a little work with transfer options to maximize value.
When deciding on a credit card for food and dining, consider the American Express® Gold Card if you value flexible reward redemption, bonus earnings on dining out, and travel perks, especially if you spend more than $25,000 annually at supermarkets and over $50,000 at worldwide restaurants. On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express may be more suitable if you prioritize straightforward, high-value cash back, with higher cash back on groceries and simpler redemption, even if your annual grocery spend is under $6,000.
