Blue Cash Preferred Card – How to Apply Online

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a top choice for everyday cashback rewards.

It offers strong value on groceries, streaming services, gas, and transit purchases.

This article explains the benefits, fees, and shows you how to apply online step by step.

Key Rewards and Everyday Benefits

The Blue Cash Preferred Card gives you valuable rewards on daily spending.

It focuses on categories where most households spend the most. Here are the main rewards and benefits you get with this card:

6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to the annual spending limit.
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% cash back on transit, including rideshares, buses, trains, and tolls.
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Access to Amex Offers for extra discounts with partner retailers.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection benefits.

Interest Rates and Fees

The Blue Cash Preferred Card comes with specific costs you need to understand before applying.

These include interest rates, an annual fee, and charges for certain transactions. Here are the exact details of the card’s interest rates and fees:

Annual Fee: $95 (charged from the first year)
Purchase APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable, depending on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfer APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable, same as purchase APR.
Intro Offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, then the standard variable APR applies.
Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable, applied if you make a late payment or a returned payment.
Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount advanced, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars.
Late Payment Fee: Up to $40.
Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Eligibility and Basic Requirements

Before you apply for this card, you need to meet specific eligibility rules.

These requirements ensure you qualify and help American Express assess your application. Here are the main eligibility and basic requirements:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old (21 in some states if applying independently).
Residency: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident with a valid U.S. address.
Credit Score: Good to excellent credit is recommended (typically 670+).
Income Proof: You must provide a stable income source that can support credit obligations.
Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): Required for identity verification.
No Recent Delinquencies: A clean credit history without recent defaults improves chances of approval.

Step-by-Step Online Application

The Blue Cash Preferred Card application can be completed quickly online. You’ll need to provide personal and financial details before submitting securely.

Here are the steps to apply online:

Visit the Official Website: Go to the American Express site and locate the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Click “Apply Now”: Start the application through the secure form.
Enter Personal Information: Provide your full name, date of birth, home address, and contact details.
Add Financial Details: Include annual income, employment information, and monthly housing costs.
Enter SSN or ITIN: This is required for identity verification and credit check.
Review Terms: Read through rates, fees, and agreement conditions.
Submit Application: Confirm and send your application for review.
Receive Decision: Many applicants get an instant response; others may take a few days.

Application Review and Decision

After you submit your application, American Express reviews your information before making a decision.

The process can be instant or take a few days, depending on your profile. Here’s what you can expect during the application review and decision stage:

Instant Approval: Many applicants receive a decision within minutes if their credit and income information meet the requirements.
Pending Review: Some applications require manual review, which may take a few business days.
Verification Requests: You may be asked to provide additional documents such as proof of income or identity.
Notification: Decisions are usually sent by email or mail, explaining whether you were approved or denied.
Denied Applications: You will receive an adverse action letter stating the reasons for denial and how to check your credit report.
Approved Applications: If approved, you’ll get your card by mail within 7–10 business days.

After Approval – Next Steps

Once your Blue Cash Preferred Card application is approved, there are a few steps to complete before you can start using it.

These steps ensure your card is active, secure, and ready for daily use. Here’s what you should do after approval:

Card Delivery: Expect the physical card by mail within 7–10 business days.
Card Activation: Activate your card online, through the Amex mobile app, or by calling the activation number.
Set Up an Online Account: Create or log in to your American Express account to manage transactions and payments.
Download the Mobile App: Use the Amex app to track spending, monitor rewards, and set alerts.
Enroll in Digital Wallets: Add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay for contactless payments.
Set Up Autopay or Alerts: Enable autopay for on-time payments and set alerts for spending and security.

Introductory Bonus Offer

The card adds value early with an introductory bonus for meeting a spending requirement in the first months. Here’s what to know:

Welcome Bonus Amount: Earn a cash back bonus (often $250) after meeting the required spending threshold.
Spending Requirement: Typically $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
Reward Type: The bonus is given as a statement credit, reducing your balance.
Timeframe: You must meet the spending requirement within the stated period to qualify.
Restrictions: Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees don’t count toward the requirement.
Value Boost: Combined with category rewards, the bonus can offset the $95 annual fee in the first year.

Credit Score Impact

Applying for the Blue Cash Preferred Card impacts your credit, both at application and in how you manage the account. Here’s how it affects your score:

Hard Inquiry: When you apply, American Express runs a hard credit check, which may lower your score by a few points.
New Account: Opening a new credit line can slightly reduce your average account age, impacting your score.
Credit Utilization: Having a higher credit limit can improve your utilization ratio if you keep balances low.
On-Time Payments: Paying on time builds positive payment history, the most significant factor in your score.
Credit Mix: Adding a new revolving account may improve your credit mix if you have few credit cards.
Long-Term Impact: Responsible use can raise your score over time, while missed payments or high balances can harm it.

Support and Contact Information

For help with the Blue Cash Preferred Card, American Express provides verified support by phone, mail, or online. The official contacts are:

General Customer Service: 1-800-528-4800 (24/7)
Application Support: 1-800-223-2670
International Collect: 1-336-393-1111
Mailing Address (Correspondence): American Express, P.O. Box 981535, El Paso, TX 79998-1535
Mailing Address (Payments): American Express, P.O. Box 650448, Dallas, TX 75265-0448
Website Help Center: americanexpress.com/help
Amex Mobile App: In-app support options available

The Bottomline

The Blue Cash Preferred Card delivers strong rewards on everyday purchases and extra value with its welcome bonus.

Its online application process is secure and straightforward, giving you fast access to benefits once approved.

Apply online today and start maximizing your cashback on groceries, streaming, gas, and more.

Disclaimer

Details on the Blue Cash Preferred Card, including rates and offers, may change and should be verified on the official American Express site.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.