Now that we've seen a high-level overview of both cards, let's take a closer look at how they compare in some of the categories that are most important to U.S. consumers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred annual fee
First, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee, which puts it somewhere in between no annual fee and high-end credit card products.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is similarly priced, which also makes it a mid-range card in terms of cost. It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.. That gives the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express gets the slight advantage in the annual fee category.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred welcome offer
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has one of the most lucrative welcome offers, especially for its price point. The card currently offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Even better, these points get a 25% bonus compared to the $0.01 cash back value when redeemed for travel through Chase's portal, so it is effectively worth $750 when used toward flights and hotel stays.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a $250 welcome offer that is paid as a statement credit. To qualify, you'll need to spend $3,000 on purchases with the card, but unlike most of its competitors, you have a full 6 months to do it. Terms apply.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred intro APR
This will be an easy comparison, as one card has an intro APR offer and the other doesn't. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't have any intro APR on either purchases or balance transfers. The card has an APR that ranges from 21.49%-28.49% Variable, depending on creditworthiness.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a 0% intro APR for 12 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period expires, the card has a 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR, depending on the cardholder's creditworthiness. Terms apply.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a fantastic travel-oriented rewards program. It earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and accumulates points at the following rates:
- 5X points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2X per $1 spent on all other travel
- 1X point per $1 on other purchases
As mentioned earlier, points can be redeemed for cash back at a value of $0.01 per point, but can be redeemed for travel at a 25% higher valuation. Alternatively, they can be transferred to multiple Chase airline and hotel partners.
In addition, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has several valuable travel and purchase protections, as well as several partner benefits, such as a free DoorDash DashPass subscription for at least one year (activation required, must sign up by Dec. 31, 2024). There's also a $50 annual hotel credit towards stays booked through Chase.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has one of the best cash back rewards programs on our radar:
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending per calendar year)
- 6% back on certain streaming subscriptions
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations and transit spending
- 1% back on everything else
- Terms apply
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express also has other key benefits. It has several travel and purchase protections, plus $7 in monthly statement credits toward an eligible, auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription of $9.99 or more (terms apply, enrollment required). For customers who take advantage of them, these two annual credits can be worth more than double the card's annual fee.
It's difficult to pick a winner in this category, but the versatile and potentially valuable redemption options give the edge to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
