Citi Double Cash vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Citi Double Cash wins 3-2. Set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything Amex Blue Cash Preferred is still the right call if suburban families with kids — best us-supermarket card..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Amex Blue Cash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 6% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | 2.7% |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Double Cash
- 1% cash back when you buy + 1% when you pay
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions or rotating bonuses
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Convert cash back to ThankYou Points (transferable to airline partners)
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
FAQ
›Citi Double Cash vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred: which is better?
Citi Double Cash wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Citi Double Cash for its best categories, Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Citi Double Cash: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months. Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months.