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Blue Cash Preferred from American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Blue Cash Preferred from American ExpressAmerican Express | Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 |
| APR | 19.49% - 28.49% | 18.24% - 27.74% |
| Signup Bonus | $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in 6 months | $250 bonus after spending $500 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr), 6% on select U.S. streaming, 3% on U.S. gas and transit, 1% on everything else | 5% on travel via Chase, 3% on dining & drugstores, 1.5% on everything else |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | 6% at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000/year is the highest grocery rate available 6% on streaming subscriptions 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 1.5% base rate beats most flat-rate cards 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers Pairs perfectly with Chase Sapphire for point transfers |
| Cons | $95 annual fee ($0 intro first year) $6,000 annual cap on 6% grocery earnings American Express not accepted everywhere | 3% foreign transaction fee Points worth more when paired with a Sapphire card No premium perks |
| View Details → | View Details → |
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Verdict
Our Pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited
With a 4.6/5 rating, the Chase Freedom Unlimited edges out the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express (4.5/5). No annual fee makes it easy to justify. The Freedom Unlimited is the best no-fee companion card. With 1.5% on everything plus 3% on dining, it earns strong rewards solo — and becomes elite when paired with a Chase Sapphire for point transfers.