Compare the Features and Benefits of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a rewarding cash-back card thanks to its range of useful bonus categories. Perhaps the most valuable bonus category is the ability to earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on the first $6,000 spent annually. Households who spend $500 or so can maximize this threshold to earn a tremendous $350 in reward dollars every year, and that’s before you consider the other bonus cash-back opportunities like 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. Still, you will want to subtract the $95 annual fee from that bounty.

The 6% cash back rate applies to select U.S. streaming subscriptions, which covers virtually every participating provider out there. From Apple Music to YouTube TV to Netflix to Prime Video, it’s likely that you subscribe to one (or more) of these popular live TV, movie or music streaming services.

Not to mention, you can enroll your card within your American Express account to receive a $7 monthly statement credit when you spend $9.99 (or more) each month on a subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+. If you already subscribe to one of these eligible services, that’s an instant savings of $84 every year.

You can also earn bonus cash back when you’re on the road. The Blue Cash Preferred provides 3% at U.S. gas stations and for local transit expenses, which includes anything such as taxis, rideshare services like Lyft and Uber, parking expenses, tolls, and train and bus fares.

Simply put, the cash back earnings add up swiftly with the Blue Cash Preferred, especially if you have a large household. You’ll earn cash back in the form of reward dollars, which can then be redeemed for any amount on your monthly statement credit through American Express. One reward dollar equals $1.

Other benefits on the card, such as purchase protection, return protection and access to Global Assist Hotline may be used less frequently, but will still come in handy when it’s least expected.

Best of all, there’s no annual fee for the first year of card membership, giving you time to test drive the card’s earning rates and benefits before you commit to paying the ongoing $95 annual fee. It is possible to downgrade after one year to the Blue Cash Everyday® Card if you find it more suitable.

Rates and Fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card sits squarely between the ultra-premium (Reserve) and base-level annual-fee (Gold) Delta cards. While the $350 annual fee is still a sizable sum to consider, there’s a mile-long list of benefits for Delta loyalists.

With the Delta Platinum card, it’s not only easy to rack up thousands of SkyMiles from card spend alone, but you could spend your way to the finish line of Medallion status.

You’ll earn 3x bonus miles on Delta purchases and hotel bookings; 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets; and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.

For those that need a hand with reaching the next Delta Medallion® elite status level, this card earns 1 MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) for every $20 spent on eligible purchases with your Card plus $2,500 MQDs each year – just for holding the card!

With your growing balance of Delta SkyMiles, you can book Delta award flights — and enjoy a 15% discount for being a cardholder. Beyond earning and redeeming miles, there are great ways to save money through the a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4.5 years, a first free checked bag on Delta flights, cell phone protection, trip coverage, and purchase protections.

Another key benefit that may move the needle for you is the annual roundtrip companion certificate, good for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights in the Main Cabin. You’ll receive this reward after paying your card’s annual fee every account anniversary (after account opening). This allows you to book a second flight for a friend or family member for the cost of government imposed taxes and fees. Pick your route wisely, as you can easily save hundreds of dollars (and pay for the $350 annual fee) with the certificate alone. (Terms apply.)

And you’ll also receive up to $390 in statement credits each year with up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card, up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Enrollment Required) and up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. (Terms apply)

In summary, if you like flying Delta but don’t think you can justify the cost of the higher annual fee for the Reserve level card, the Delta Platinum card may be the perfect fit for your travel needs.

Rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card